podsbos7

BOOK OF SHADOWS

VOLUME The SEVENTH

pp. 2857 - 3277

RIDERS OF THE CRYSTAL WIND

TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Christian Speaks (J.C. Taylor) ...............................2460
A Minister Speaks Out (J. gordon Melton) ........................975
A Plea For Initiation Standards (Ellen Cannon Reed) .............908
A Tale of Two Witches (Mike Nichols) ............................147
A True History of Witchcraft (Allen Greenfield) ................1771
ADF Ritual #1 ..................................................3063
Aethyr, On the Nature of (Anthra Andromda) .....................1816
Against The Witch Hunters (R. Culain) ..........................1704
AIR - A Meditation (Charis) ....................................1559
All Hallows Eve (Mike Nichols) ..................................137
Altars, Misc Thoughts (Chris Olmstead) .........................2566
Altar Dedication (Durwydd) .....................................125
Altered States and Ritual (Web of Wyrd #7) .....................3081
Amazing (Pagan?) Grace ..........................................959
Amerind Teaching Stories
Rabbit (John Lone Wolf) ...................................1534
An Australian Aboriginal Myth (WoW #10) ........................2481
Ancient Art, The ................................................551
Answers (Grove of the Unicorn) ..................................479
Aridian (Strega) Information ...................................1947
Asatru (Rathulvf Jamieson) ......................................952
Asatru Resources ...............................................3061
Asatru Blot (Lewis Stead) ......................................2338
Astral Projection (Monroe Technique) ............................783
Athame Dedication (Durwydd) .....................................125
Autarchic Creed .................................................562
Autonomatrix Manifesto .........................................1813
Badgers ........................................................2554
Banes, Bindings, and Mirrors (Judy Harrow, Hugh Read) ...........628
"Bardic" Circle Rituals from DragonHart Cove
Beltane (The White Bard) ..................................1111
Candlemas (The White Bard) ................................1151
Samhain (The White Bard) ..................................1116
Bardic Wedding (RowanHart Circle) ..............................1526
Bardic Mythos (The Whyte Bard)
Creation ..................................................2206
" Part II .........................................2251
Death .....................................................2204
Maiden Story ..............................................2199
Rebirth ...................................................2205
The Sacred King ...........................................2201
The Gifts of The Fool .....................................2202
The Story of The Pit ......................................2439
The Jesus Story ...........................................2440
A Yule Mythos .............................................2533
Bare Bones 3rd Degree (Humor) ...................................463
Basic Beliefs of WICCA (C.O.G.) .................................947
Basic Love Spell ................................................958
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Basic Spell Construction ........................................113
Basic Principles (American Council of Witches)...................310
Basic Ritual Outline (ED FITCH) ...................................6
Being A Witch in Brittain Today (James Pengelly, WOW #10) ......2658
Beltaine Ritual (Firestar Coven, 1986) ...........................36
Beltane Ritual 1987 (Coven of The Serpents Eye) ................1743
Beltane Ritual (Seastrider) .....................................464
Beltane Ritual (ADF) ...........................................2956
Beltane Ritual (Lynna Landstreet, W.C.C.) ......................1935
Beltane, Its Origins (Rowan Moonstone) ..........................126
Berserkir (Mike Howard, W o W #7) ..............................3084
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
Betty Crocker Cult, The (M. Perrin) ............................3083
Beyond Reason (Aries, W.o.W.) ..................................2240
Bible, Books not included .......................................652
Bibliography (annotated) ........................................929
Bibliography of Magic in Sci-Df (M. Griffith) ..................1737
Binding A Spell (Farrar & Farrar) ...............................157
Bovinomicon (humor) ............................................1805
Blackout and Sigils (I.O.T.) ...................................1402
Blessing Payer (Traditional Gardnerian "Dryghten Prayer") ......1512
Blood Sacrifice (Althea Whitebirch) .............................547
Bridal Blessing (Julia Phillips) ...............................2572
Brigit of the Celts (Unknown) ..................................2960
Brigit, Two Prayers ............................................3263
Broken Heart Spell (Healing) ...................................1219
Bulb Planting Chant (Eileen) ...................................2853
Burning Times, The (Marios) .....................................951
"Calling Spell" (Rowan Moonstone) ..............................2577
Candle Blessing (Coven of New Gwynedd) .........................3266
Candle Colors ...................................................982
Candle Magic ....................................................417
Candle Scents ...................................................988
Candlemas Ritual 1987 (Coven of The Serpents Eye) ..............1750
Candlemas (Gwydion) .............................................537
Candlemas (Mike Nichols) ........................................168
Catharsis Circle (Judy Harrow).....................................8
Cauldrons (Elemental)............................................420
CAW (Church of All Worlds) Basic Info Pkg. (12/93)
Bylaws.....................................................2484
Communion Ceremony (Morning Glory Zell) ...................2495
"Earthmom" ................................................2496
Electronic CAW (Irv Koch) .................................2527
History ...................................................2502
Neo-Paganism (Otter G'Zell) ...............................2506
Neo-Pagan Witchcraft vs. Satanism .........................2510
"What is it?" (CAW, Australia) ............................2514
Nest List (as of 12/93) ...................................2525
CELTIC NUMEROLOGY (Mike Nichols) ................................454
CELTIC BIBLIOGRAPHY (Rowan Moonstone) ...........................298
Celtic Bibliography (Annotated, by Eryn Darkstar) ..............1133
Celtic Centering Ritual ........................................3265
Celtic Deities/Origins (Lorax) .................................2351
Celtic Workshop (from Internet) ................................3101
Chakras, Greek .................................................2400
Chalice Ritual - Dragon Trad (C.J. Mandrake) ...................1468
Channeling (Jast) ...............................................969
Channeling for Fun and Prophet (F.J. McGovern) .................1736
Chants w/ASCII Notation (L.A.Hussey) ...........................1081
Chaos, Some Heretical remarks on Philosophy (K. Dykow)..........2264
Chaos Magic (Mark Chao) .........................................398
Chaos Magick vs. Thelema .......................................1240
Chaos-sphere ...................................................1393
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Chaoism and Chaos Magick (Pete Carroll) ........................1404
Charge of the Phone Goddess (Magenta Griffith) ..................759
Charge of the God, The (Kyri Comyn) ............................1925
Charge of the Horned God [Rhyming] (V. West) ...................1927
Charge of the Goddess [Rhyming] (Kalioppe) .....................1928
Charge of the Goddess, The (D. Valiente) ........................193
Charge of the Goddess, The (Kyri Comyn) ........................1926
Charge of The Horned God, The ...................................936
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
Charge of the God 1 (Siobhan) ..................................3272
Charge of the God 2 (Siobhan) ..................................3273
Charging Crystals (Ian Kesser) .................................1707
Check List for A Well Working Group (Earthrite BBS) .............957
Child Blessings ................................................2572
Church of All Worlds ............................................353
Christian "Cults" ..............................................1000
Christmas Customs (Rick Hayward) ...............................2481
Christmas Past (Eric Maple, via Julia Phillips) ................2530
Circle Closing ..................................................540
Circle Casting (Avaloian)........................................541
Circle Purification for Asthmatics ..............................780
Circle Casting (after Valiente and Farrar) ......................130
Circles, why use them? (Mel White) ...............................65
Cleansing (Rowan Moonstone) .......................................2
Cleansing Incense ..............................................2547
Comparison of Wicca and Christianity.............................622
Computer Blessing (Zahai Stewart) ...............................757
Coming of Age ritual (notes by Malakus) ........................2578
"Condensed" Definition of Wicca (Lady Phoenix) ..................948
Consciousness & Politics (Carol Moore).........................
Coven, The (Julia Phillips) ....................................2998
Coven at Pooh Corner (D. Wadsworth) ............................1688
Coven Offices ...................................................762
Coven Leadership ................................................543
Covens and Witches (Julia Phillips) ............................3266
Covenant of the Goddess .........................................305
Covenant of the Goddess, History (Michael Thorn) ...............2459
Covenant of the Goddess Pledge ..................................309
Craft Ethics (J. Crowley) .......................................751
Craft Ethics Response (M.K.H) ..................................1216
CRAFT LAW
Craft Laws (by Lady Sheba).................................1163
New Laws (Lady Galadriel, Grove of The Unicorn)............1174
The New Book Of Law, A Commentary (J. Random Folksinger)...1185
Aporrheton 5 (Judy Harrow?) ...............................1195
The Abbreviated Laws (including Comment by J.R.F.) ........1202
The Law (Humor) ...........................................1204
Commentary by a student ........................................1212
Commentary by L.A. Hussey.......................................1214
Compuserve Sabbats (Courtesy J. Quigley)
Beltane. 90 ...............................................2090
Imbolc.90 .................................................2094
Imbolc.93 .................................................2110
Lammas.90 .................................................2104
Lammas.91 .................................................2099
MoonAPR.93 ................................................2114
MoonAUG.92 ................................................2121
MoonFEB.93 ................................................2127
MoonJul.92 ................................................2130
MoonJUN.92 ................................................2134
MoonMAR.93 ................................................2140
MoonMay.93 ................................................2148
MoonOCT.92 ................................................2154
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MoonSEP.92 ................................................2161
SAMHAIN.91 ................................................2171
SAMHAIN.92 ................................................2177
Spring Equinox.92 .........................................2188
YULE.90 ...................................................2184
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
Coven Leadership, some food for thought ........................1943
Creation Story ..................................................619
Creed Of The People Of God (Catholic) ..........................1005
Crone Energies (Grey Cat) .......................................559
Crossroads .....................................................1794
Crystals, their care and feeding (Matrika).......................413
Cult Danger Evaluation Frame (P.E.I.Bonewits) ...................343
CUUPS (C.O.G. Salt Lake City) ..................................1002
Dark Moon Ritual ...............................................3259
Dangers of "Magical Thinking" in Magick (Nihasa)................1716
"Dark Night of the Soul".........................................286
"Dark Night of the Soul"........................................1411
Dangers of Deity? (a Conversation) .............................1820
DCW Landmarks ...................................................492
Death & Rebirth, A Modern Myth (Kalioppe) ......................2411
Degrees within Covens ...........................................623
Dedication Ritual (Khaled Quicksilver) .........................1841
Dedication Pledge (Judy Harrow) ................................2549
Deity Engineering Worksheet .....................................607
Denver Area Wiccan Network ......................................200
Descent of The Goddess (Sewna Silvara) ..........................750
Descent of The Goddess (G.B.G.) ................................1769
Descent of The Goddess (D. Mac Tara) ...........................1923
Descent of The Goddess (Starhawk) ..............................1770
Descent Into Confusion (Robert Hughes, WOW) ....................2711
Dianic Wicca (Inanna Seastar) ...................................614
Dion Fortune & Gardnerian Wicca (C.S. Clifton in W.o.W.) .......2210
Divine Circle Scam .............................................1507
Divination (Bibliography) .......................................605
Divination (RMPJ) ...............................................603
Dragon, The Last (story by Gerald Decampo) .....................1226
Dragon Tradition (Phoenix Arizona)
Circle Casting ............................................1228
"Quarter Calls" ...........................................1486
Drawing Down the Moon ...........................................557
Dream Problem Solving ...........................................573
Dream Bibliography ..............................................576
Dream Life ......................................................571
Dream-News ......................................................567
Dreams Precognition .............................................575
Dying God (Ammond ShadowCraft)...................................685
Eclectic Circle Ceremony (Durwydd) ...............................40
EcoMagick .......................................................614
Editorial, Web of Wyrd #10 (Julia Phillips) ....................2993
EGYPTIAN BOOK OF THE DEAD (Budge) ..............................2717
Egyptian Metaphysics (Michael Poe) .............................2032
Eight Paths to Altered States (Carrie McMasters).................222
Eight Magicks (Pete Carroll) ...................................1825
Elements, A Hermetic Summoning (Marios) .........................960
Elemental Correspondences (from Starhawk) .......................979
Elemental Correspondences .......................................560
Elven (Modern Mythic Prose by Par Garou) .......................1159
Essay on The Three-Fold Law (Paul Seymour) .....................1208
Ethics and Morals (RMPJ) ........................................315
Ethics and Magick (Warren Stott) ................................415
Ethics and Laws (Lifeway Shamanic Fellowship) ..................1220
Ethics and Love Magick (Mike Nichols) ...........................554
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Ethics or Etiquette .............................................565
Etymology of "Wicca" ............................................356
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
Evolution of Wiccan Ritual (Paul Hume) ..........................946
Exegesis on The Wiccan Rede (Judy Harrow).......................1209
Exorcism ........................................................613
Eyes of a dyke [fiction] (vivienne West) .......................1931
Feminine Current in the G.D. (Peregrine, in WoW) ...............2228
Festivals .......................................................587
Film Guide '89 (Mike Nichols)....................................528
Finer Points of Ritual (Mike Nichols) ..........................2963
Firefawn (Masochistic Maiden) ..................................2356
First Degree, What is it? .......................................351
FISH (Creative use of Christian Symbology) ......................611
Five Fold Kiss ..................................................744
Food For Thought (Some notes for Coven Leaders) ................1943
Fool ............................................................590
For A Few Myths More (WofW #7) .................................3274
Fortune, The (RMPJ) .............................................953
Full Deck Tarot Spread ..........................................625
Full Moon Ritual (Seastrider)....................................634
Fundamentals of Human Ecology ...................................616
Fundies Visit Denver (Transcribed by Rowan Moonsone) ...........2366
Funeral Rites (Oz Caliburn) ....................................2363
Funeral Ritual, Generic Pagan (She-Wolf) .......................2524
GAEA Hypothesis (Green Egg) ....................................2398
Gardnerian Book of Shadows .....................................3000
Georgian Mythos (Zanoni Silverknife) ...........................2340
Glossary (Rowan Moonstone & Durwydd MacTara) ....................206
Gnosticism.......................................................694
God/Goddess Balance (Adrienne)...................................223
Golden Dawn (Calif.).............................................689
Golden Dawn Training (outline)...................................691
Goodwife (Story by L.A. Hussey) .................................644
Great Rite, The (Symbolic) ......................................656
Greek and Roman Deities (Thomas Palmer) ........................1698
Greek Fire Initiation............................................982
GREEK LBRP .....................................................2404
Group Ethics Essay (Raven) .....................................3267
Halloween, Origins of (Rowan Moonstone) ..........................26
Halloween, A Witches Thoughts (Cecylina Brightsword) ...........2575
Handfasting ......................................................68
Handfasting (Lady Ardane, Prodigy) .............................2197
Handfasting (CAW) ..............................................2948
Handfasting, Celtic ............................................3277
Handfasting Ritual Notes .......................................3276
Harvest Home (Mike Nichols) .....................................176
Harvest Thoughts (Gary Dumbauld) ................................630
Harvest Home - 1987 (Michael Fix) ................................13
Heal The Earth (a meditation) ...................................661
Healing (one method) ............................................655
Healing Myth (Nihasa) ...........................................165
Heirophant, The (Khaled Quicksilver) ...........................1946
Helpful Hints (Humor) ...........................................966
Herbal "Quick Reference" .......................................2541
Heretic's Corner (RMPJ) .........................................869
Heyokah (RMPJ) ..................................................632
Hidden Codes in the Torah .......................................733
High Technology Meets The Ancient Wisdom ........................964
History (Weyland Smith) .........................................786
History of Witch Craft ..........................................791
Homeblessing (Selena Fox) .......................................663
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
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Homeblessing (She Wolf) ........................................2545
Homeblessing notes (Scott Cunningham) ..........................2546
House Cleansing Ritual (David Piper) ...........................3264
How to use Magick with a straight face .........................3228
Hymns To The Star Goddess (O.T.O.) .............................1431
Hypnosis 101 ....................................................667
I.O.T. History (The Beginnings).................................1398
Ideology (I.O.T.) ..............................................1252
In Defense of Excellence (Adrienne, Quicksilver, Ottawa) .......2553
Imbolc (Solitary Ritual) ........................................664
Imbolc at the Covenstead (Erin) ................................2556
Imbolc Myth ....................................................2535
Imbolc Ritual ..................................................2536
Imbolg Ritual (Kalioppe) .......................................2420
Imbolg '92 (Julia Phillips) ....................................1757
Initiation, Outdoor (adaptation) .................................72
Initiation (Brad Hicks) ..........................................50
Initiation (D. Valiente) .......................................3077
Initiation (Crowther) ..........................................3079
Introductory Book List ..........................................926
Ishtar, Inanna, & Ancient Astrology (Valkyrie) .................2466
INVOCATIONS
Freyja (unknown) ............................................56
Frigg (Russ Anderson) .......................................55
Brigit (Russ Anderson) ......................................57
Baldur (unknown) ............................................55
Freyr (unknown) .............................................56
Herne (unknown) .............................................57
Thorr (unknown) .............................................58
INVOCATIONS -QUARTERS-
EAST ......................................................1542
SOUTH .....................................................1543
WEST ......................................................1544
NORTH .....................................................1545
Invocation of Lord and Lady (Ritual) ...........................2557
Irish Myth Concordance (Mike Nichols) ...........................422
Ishtar ..........................................................740
Issian Circle (Matrika) ..........................................59
Judeopagan Menopause Ritual (Randronoth) .......................2333
K.A.M. ..........................................................735
Kabballah (Colin Low)............................................236
Kali and Modern Physics .........................................730
Karma & Quantum Mechanics ......................................3085
Keeper of Wisdom, The (Kalioppe) ...............................2416
Keltria (The Henge of) ..........................................739
"Kids" (Kalioppe) ..............................................2250
"The Knots of Death" ...........................................3093
Labeling Wiccans (Lucie) .......................................2330
Lady Day (Mike Nichols) .........................................171
Lady's Prayer, The .............................................2398
Lammas (Mike Nichols) ...........................................174
Lammas Ritual , "The Corn Play" (Julia Phillips) ...............1941
Lammas Ritual (1991, Celtic Temple of the Wiccan Way ...........2194
"Landmarks" (D.C.W.) ............................................990
LBRP, an Essay (Tim Maroney) ....................................103
Learning Process ................................................962
Leave it Out, Leviticus (Aries, W.O.W. #8) .....................2260
"Legitimacy" in the Craft (Khaled Q.) ..........................1766
Liber OZMA (Tim Maroney) .......................................1414
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
Lilith (BBS Conversation) ......................................1083
Literary Roots of Wicca (Diane Vera) ...........................1535
LLEW, Death of (Mike Nichols) ...................................179
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Lucid Dreaming (Omni Magazine) ..................................955
LUPERCALIA (She Wolf) ..........................................2580
MABON Outline (anonymous) ........................................43
Magick, Physics, & Probability (Hurn) ...........................811
Magick (A. Crowley) .............................................817
Magick Vs. Prayer (Salgamma) ....................................684
Magickal Book List ..............................................923
Magick Course Outline (Amber K.).................................815
Magickal Ethics (Judy Harrow) ...................................502
Magickal History (Fra.: Apfelman) ...............................406
Magickal Definitions (RMPJ) .....................................814
Magickal Laws (after P.E.I. Bonewits) ...........................831
Magickal Musical Selection Guide ...............................1079
Magickal Pyramid, The (Durwydd MacTara).........................1096
Magickal Stones & Gems ..........................................912
Magickal Training Course (Phil Hansford) .......................1373
Manhood Rituals (RMPJ) ..........................................760
Mantra Web technique ............................................288
Mayan Deities (777 Supplement) ..................................834
Mayday Celebration (Mike Nichols) ...............................837
MAYDAY Celebration (Mike Nichols) ................................79
Maychants (4) (Tanscribed by SeaStrider).........................911
Mazes in Myth (Valkyrie) .......................................2471
Mead, Brew of The Gods! (Lewis Stead) ..........................2550
Media Management (Windfire Coven) ...............................851
Meditation Techniques, Basic (Bill Witt) .......................1513
Memorial Day Ritual (HPF, She-Wolf) ............................3098
Memory & Perception, a new Model (Paul Seymour).................1077
Midsummer (Mike Nichols) .........................................45
Mind, A Treatise on The (The Tigress) ..........................1460
Mind Control Techniques (Dick Sutphen) ..........................512
Models of Magick (incomplete)....................................216
Modern Pagaism, Q&A .............................................920
Modern Pagan Persecution (Jonathan Hutchins) ....................942
Modified Assyrian Protection Spell (With Commentary) ...........1739
Mothers Day Message ............................................1076
Money Tree Spell (Rowan Moonstone) .............................2576
MONISM (Durwydd Mac Tara) ......................................1523
Monotheism vs. Polytheism (Dan Holdgriewe) ......................941
Muhammad .......................................................2699
Pagan Musings (Tony Kelly, Selene Community, Wales,1970) .......2435
Mycenaen Mysteries (J. Teller)...................................365
Mystical Pentagram ..............................................110
Nature Spirit Magick (Larry Cornett) ............................357
Necromancy (reprint) ............................................841
Nemesis Conjuration (I.O.T.) ...................................1250
Neo-Pagan Ritual (Brad Hicks) ....................................77
Neo-Pagan Theology (Cyprian) ...................................2426
Neo-Paganism (J. Brad Hicks) ....................................329
NeoPaganism (Eric S. Raymond) ...................................333
NeoPlatonism (Deborah Kest) ....................................2473
"New Age" Ministry (Steve Kalinowski) ..........................2705
NLP- Applied Magic (Brandy Williams).............................459
Notes On The Historical Egregore in Magick (I.O.T.).............1245
Nine Noble Virtues (Norse) .....................................3254
NROOGD SAMHAIN - 1987 (l.a. Hussey) ..............................21
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
Occult Resurgence, A theory .....................................224
ODINISM, What is it? ............................................764
Open Circle Ethics (Brandy Williams) ............................377
Open Letter to A New Witch ......................................910
Open Letter to Selena Fox (Isaac Bonewits) .....................1089
Opening (ending) The Circle ......................................12
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Ordo Argentum Astrum ...........................................1230
Origins of the Mandan (Madoc) ...................................949
Orphic Invocations of God & Goddess (Phaedra) ..................1541
Pagan Churches? (Julia Phillips) ...............................2252
Pagan Folksongs (The Whyte Bard
- THE GREENBOOK OF NEO-PAGAN SONGS -
All Thru The Night ............................................2303 Bard's Song,
The ..............................................2302
Bedlam Bells ..................................................2289
Blessed Be Again! .............................................2297
Burning Times/Chant ...........................................2290
Cambrian Dream ................................................2308
Celtic Circle Dance ...........................................2286
Childish Edda, The ............................................2312
Circles .......................................................2287
Cup Of Wonder .................................................2309
Cup Of Wonder II ..............................................2310
Fairies Love Song .............................................2301
False Knight Upon The Road, The (Child #3) ....................2306
God Is Alive, Magic Is Afoot ..................................2214
Harp Song Of The Dane Women ...................................2298
High Holiday Song, The ........................................2329
John Barleycorn ...............................................2305
King Henry (Child #32) ........................................2283
Lord Of The Dance .............................................2284
Nottamun Town .................................................2307
Nude ..........................................................2300
She Moved Thru The Faire ......................................2309
Song Of Wandering Aengus, The .................................2311
Spring Strathspey .............................................2288
Stand Up, Stand Up For Odin ...................................2299
Thong Of Thor, The ............................................2282
Two Magicians .................................................2304
Wiccan Rede, The ..............................................2280
Witch's Ballad, The ...........................................2281
Valkyrie Song, The ............................................2213
Real Old Time Religion, That ..................................2315
Yule Songs
Christmas Time Is Pagan! .................................2295
Dancing In A Wiccan Wonderland ...........................2293
Gloria ...................................................2291
Glory To The New Born King ...............................2293
God Rest Ye Merry, Paganfolk .............................2296
Hark The Neo-Pagans Sing .................................2291
Joy To The World .........................................2295
Moon Of Silver ...........................................2294
Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful! ...............................2292
Share The Light ..........................................2294
Silent Night .............................................2292
Ye Children All Of Mother Earth ..........................2291
Pagan Manners (Grey Cat) .......................................3070
Pagan Unity Ritual (W.o.W. #5) .................................2246
Pantacle, The (Gary Dumbauld) ...................................392
Table Of Contents (Continued)
Perscution, Ancient & Modern (Julia Phillips) ..................1627
Personal effects of Ritual (Nihasa) .............................868
Peyote & The Supreme Court (News Articles) .....................1725
Planetary Hours (Andrew Kettle) ................................3074
Polarity and Single Sex Covens (Marios) .........................945
Pornography & Pagan Ideals ......................................972
Power Animals (RMPJ).............................................411
Principia Discordia ............................................2893
Prosperity [Famtrad] (Rowan Moonstone) .........................1485
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Psychic Self-Defense ............................................594
Psychic Attack ..................................................563
PR Flyer (Raven, Milwaukee CUUPS) ..............................2995
"Quantum" Kaballah...............................................282
Quantum Magick (Larry Cornett) ..................................857
Quilting and "Craft" (J.M. Cortese) ............................1103
Rainforest Ritual (Michael Harismedes, 1988) ....................212
Raven Kindred Ritual (Asatru) ..................................2815
Reclaiming The God (Women's Ritual) ............................2853
Rede, The (J. Taylor, S.O.T.E.G.) ..............................1488
"Restorationist" Christianity (Chris Anderson) .................2385
Risk Assessment for The Craft Community (Weyland Smith) ........1723
Rite of Passage, Modern Female (Lady Shyra) ....................2694
Ritual of the Blessed Motherboard (Discordian Humor) ...........1471
Ritual Abuse Scandal in Britain (Michael Howard) ...............2233
Ritual Bath (Sewna Silvara) .....................................745
Ritual Theory and Technique (Colin Low).........................2668
Rosicrucianism (J. Phillips) ...................................1741
Rune Poem, A linguistic Analysis by Steph Parker ...............2476
Runes, What are they? (Lokrien) .................................215
Runic Thorn Ritual (Faunus) ....................................1097
Salem Anniversary Ritual (Sandy & Diug Kopf)....................1156
Samhain Notes (Farrar)...........................................143
Samhain Ritual (L. A. Hussey) ....................................19
Samhain Ritual (Kalioppe) ......................................2423
Samhain Ritual (O.T.O.) .........................................145
Samhain (United Wiccan Church) ..................................141
Samhain Ritual 1986 (Coven of The Serpents Eye) ................1759
Sangreal Sodality, The (Alfgar Maharg) ..........................944
Santa (Tane Jackson) ...........................................2573
Satanic Ritual Abuse (1992 FBI Report) .........................1575
Satanism
Satanism 101 (Diaane Vera) ................................1536
Satanism Defined (Delohine) ...............................1539
Satanism as Media Hype (News Article) .....................1717
Satanism vs. Wicca (Diane Vera).............................194
Setian Symbolism (T.O.S.) .................................1560
Saxon Wicca (Matrika) ...........................................158
Scorpio Dragon (Sewna Silvara) ..................................749
Searching (Carol Neist, W.O.W. #8) .............................2255
Second Degree (Gary Dumbauld) .....................................3
Second Ritual for Bast .........................................1933
Sex and Magick (Fra. Apfelmann)..................................231
SET ............................................................3059
Shamanic Binding (Gaffer Maccluiunn) ............................937
Shamanic Lifeways Fellowship (Michelle Haas) ....................384
Shamanism (Internet FAQ) .......................................2683
Sigil Magick (I.O.T.) ..........................................1416
Smudging (Michelle Haas) ........................................184
Snake Venom & Altered States (Loren Petrich) ...................1419
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
Solitary Moon Rite, Issian (Ellen Cannon Reed) .................1100
Solitary Neophyte Ritual (C.M.) ................................2391
Sophia and Gnosticism (Terry J. McCombs) .......................1105
Spitual Emergence or Emergency (Paul Seymour) ...................939
Spring Equinox (Farrar and Farrar) ..............................182
Spring Equinox Ritual (Marian Starwatcher) .....................2687
Standing Stones Book Of Shadows (Scott Cunninham) ..............1010
Strings On The Winds (Bardic Fiction)............................778
"Super-Dimensionality" (I.O.T.)..................................289
Swastika, The (Paladin) ........................................2257
Sybillyne Tradition of Wicca ...................................2445
Taleisin's thoughts .............................................676
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Tarot Divination (Tuppence) ....................................1710
Tea Ritual (Sewna Silvara, Triskelion)...........................747
Technology and The Craft (Fun!) .................................132
Temple Of Set (Lillith Aquino) .................................2709
Temples, Covens, & Groves - Oh My! (Khaled Q.) .................2221
Ten Ways to "Piss Off A Pagan (Humor) ..........................2247
The Goddess Movement (Denver Post) .............................2361
The Pact (IOT) .................................................1162
The Postures of Ecstasy .........................................617
The 12 Steps and Shamanism (Matrika, P.A.N.) ...................1504
The Last Dragon (Kalioppe) .....................................2360
Theological Discipline & Penance (Lisa Sergienko) ..............2258
Three-Fold Goddess, The (Eileen Turner) ........................2653
Thunder, Perfect Mind (Tony Ianotti) ...........................1254
Tools, etc. (Phoenix Whitebirch) ...............................2387
Tool List (Seastrider) ..........................................136
Tool Blessing Ritual ............................................122
Tool Consecration ................................................17
T.O.P.Y. Is ....................................................2857
TOS Symbology ..................................................3045
Traditional Wicca (K.A.M.) ......................................186
Traveling Chant (Julia Phillips)................................2571
Treatise On Mind (The Tigress) .................................1265
Travel Spell (Rowan Moonstone) .................................1487
Trickster Energies ..............................................234
Twelve Exercises Nobody Needs ...................................619
Twenty-Two Commandments for the New Age (A. Waldrum)............1721
Vernal Equinox Ritual from OZ (Julia Phillips) .................1742
Verse:
A Birthday In The Light (T. Digby) ........................1920
A Call To Lord And Lady (Jeff Bordeaux) ...................1853
A Dreaming Desire (Jeff Bordeaux) .........................1865
A Lady Called Truth (Geral Del Campo) .....................1921
A Riddle (Saracen) ........................................1919
A Victim of Ideologies (Jeff Bordeaux) ....................1876
"AINT!" (Ellen Cannon Reed) ...............................1929
ALOHA! Serge King (Hugh Read) .............................1848
Amphitrite (Sourdough Jackson) ............................1866
Amazing (Wiccan) Grace (Verna Knapp) ......................1909
Another One For Jim Morrison (Sourdough Jackson) ..........1870
Banishing The Circle (Devin Storm) ........................1892
Battle Hymn of the Eristocracy (Filk) .....................1898
Beneath The Full Moon (Sourdough Jackson) .................1870
BLOOD (Similodon) .........................................1889
Bowhunter's Prayer to Dianna (Kalioppe) ...................2249
Burning Times (L.A. Hussey) ...............................1849
Cauldron Chant (Ammond Shadowcraft)........................1899
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
Love Is The Law (Unknown) .................................1884
LYRA (Hugh Read) ..........................................1856
Magic Man (Taarna Savet) ..................................1906
Magical Reveries (Hugh M. Read) ...........................1878
May Eve (Doreen Valiente) .................................1884
Minerva (Unknown) .........................................1883
Moose! (SCA Humor) ........................................2248
New Words and Old (Kihe Blackeagle) .......................1890
Night Wind (Shadow Hawk) ..................................1863
Ocean (skybane) ...........................................1921
Pagan Awakening (Jeff Bordeaux) ...........................1852
Pan To Artemis (Hugh Read) ................................1847
Pandemonium (Sonia Brock) .................................1890
Pegasus (Durwydd Mac Tara) ................................1911
Prelude to Discovery (Gerald Del Campo) ...................1913
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Prayer Drive (Sourdough Jackson) ..........................1869
Quarter Chant (Damon) .....................................1871
RAINBOWS (Jennifer Holding) ...............................1897
RAP (Anony Mouse) .........................................2255
Red and Gold (Joe Bethancourt) ............................1906
Samhain Chant (Doreen Valiente) ...........................1845
Scarabeus (unknown) .......................................1883
Seeking The Sign To Dragonheim (Jeff Bordeax) .............1853
Shadowhawk (Marcus) .......................................1877
Simple (Gardenstone) ......................................1914
SLEEPR (Lynn Hubert) ......................................1921
Snow (Steve Earl) .........................................1873
Song (Vivienne West) ......................................2255
Spring/Summer Poem (Shadowhawk) ...........................1891
Storm (Shadow Hawk) .......................................1875
Storm (Stormy Gael) .......................................1893
Tears For An Angel (Gerald Del Campo) .....................1913
The Awakening (Andrew Daws) ...............................1922
The Cloud Sculptors (Jeff Bordeaux) .......................1865
The Coming of Lugh (Iarwin) ...............................1861
The Goddess is Alive (Unknown) ............................1856
The Lady's Brothel (filk) .................................1898
The Man In The Moon (Gerald Del Campo) ....................1919
The Moon Pool (unknown) ...................................1859
The Night Before Samhain (Masochistic Maiden) .............1915
The Pentagram (Similodon) .................................1889
The Prettiest One (Filk) ..................................1898
The Shaman's Call (Shadow Hawk) ...........................1873
The Spell of the Cord (Doreen Valiente) ...................1886
The River (Hugh Read) .....................................1872
The Tree Song (Kipling) ...................................1864
The Triple Goddess (Kalioppe) .............................2208
The Witches Ballad ........................................1894
To The Bonfires (Jeff Bordeaux) ...........................1866
To The Dragons Reborn (Jeff Bordeaux) .....................1854
To Greyshield, With Love ("Phoenix") ......................1851
Today The Moon is There (Hugh Read) .......................1893
Two Ritual Prayers (Anahita Gula) .........................1895
What is Love (Ravenna Michelle) ...........................1917
Why I Love The Dark (Gerald Del Campo) ....................1912
Witches Creed (Doreen Valiente) ...........................1843
Yule Carols (Green Egg, Yule '92) .........................1938
UEA '93 Main Ritual (Rowan Moonstone) ..........................2449
Walking With My Friends (Masochistic Maiden) ...................2355
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
Washington Post Article (1991) .................................1499
Warnke Expose (Cornerstone Magazine) ...........................2604
Wartime (Michelle Haas, 1991) ...................................117
Warriors .......................................................2548
Warriorship (Swein Runestaff W.o.W.) ...........................2236
Watch Towers, Rethinking The (Mike Nichols) .....................344
"Weasel Wicca" (Humor fm. Green Egg) ...........................1531
What is Myth? (Web of Wyrd, #10) ...............................2518
What is Paganism (Bay Area Pagan Alliance) .....................2891
What is Shamanism? (Michelle Haas) ..............................354
What is Shamanism (Eliade) .....................................2567
What is WICCA? (Texas Pamphlet) .................................322
What is Wicca? (Amber K.) .......................................340
What is Wicca (Durwydd Mac Tara) ...............................1551
Wheel of The Year (Julia Phillips/Matthew Sandow) ..............1671
Wheel Visualization (Julia Phillips and Rufus Harrington) ......1682
When Magic Doesn't Work (Magical Blend Magazine) ...............1520
Why I don't Believe the "Survivors" (R. Moonsone)...............1719
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Wicca and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (D. Wadsworth) .....1694
Wicca vs. Paganism (David Piper) ...............................2716
Wicca, from My Point of View (Lady Phoenix) .....................149
Wiccan Ethics & The Wiccan Rede (David Piper) ..................3270
Wiccan History .................................................1656
Wiccan History (BTW, Julia Phillips) ...........................1566
Wiccan Information Network .....................................1087
Wiccan Way, The .................................................192
Wiccan Pentagram Ritual (Paul Hume) ..............................98
Wiccan Traditions, A comparison (Hurn, RMPJ) ....................154
Wiccan Path (Madoc)..............................................227
Wiccan Rede, An Exegesis (Judy Harrow) ..........................317
Wiccan Rede, The (J. Taylor, S.O.T.E.G.)........................1488
Wiccan Rede (Poetic) ...........................................1510
Wiccan Rede (Poetic, WCC) ......................................1540
Wiccan Shamanism (Selena Fox) ...................................162
wiccan Monism (Durwydd MacTara) ................................1556
Wiccan Principles (American Council of Witches, 1974)............190
"Wiccening" (article by Vivienne West) .........................2385
Wicanning Ritual (Earthworld Circle) ...........................1492
Wine Blessing, All Female (Lynna Landstreet, WCC) ..............2564
Wishing Well (I.O.T.) ..........................................1422
"WITCH" (Doreen Valiente, in WoW) ..............................2714
Witchcraft Q&A (Dr. Leo Martello) ...............................150
Witches Creed (Doreen Valiente_ .................................320
Witches Rede of Chivalry (Ed Fitch & Janine Renee) .............1803
Women vs. Men (Michele Haas).....................................195
YULE (Mike Nichols) ..............................................84
Yule in Britain (Tana) ...........................................94
Yule Ritual (Starhawk) ............................................8
Yule Ritual 1984 (Julia Phillips) ..............................1763
Yule Ritual (Georgian) .........................................2561
Yule Ritual (She Wolf) .........................................2562
T.O.P.Y is.....
No matter how often we stress that thee Temple seeks to create a sense ov fierce
individuality, that it is for each Individual to redefine and redesign TOPY within
themselves to meet their own needs, thee questions still arise: What is TOPY? What
is thee Psychick Cross? What is thee significance ov 23? It seems that there is
still a need, or at least a belief that such things should be cast in black and
white, for a clear, concise description ov exactly how TOPY should be viewed, ov how
its signs and symbols should be interpreted. Not that such questions can be
answered, certainly not in a way that would remain specific enough to satisfy thee
enquiring, yet broad enough to remain true to thee multitude ov Individuals who make
up thee Temple. As we have said before, and no doubt will say again, TOPY exists to
promote a system ov
functional, demystified magick, utilising both pagan and modern techniques.
It is a process ov individual and collective experimentation and research with no
finite answers, dogmas or unchallengeable truths. It is for each to discover his or
her own understanding ov thee questions that suggest themselves, and through that
voyage ov discovery to find their personal and true identity, thee True Will. To set
down on paper pre-packaged responses would be to deny thee opportunity for
self-expression, to defeat thee purpose for which we are all striving. Worse than
this, it would take away thee fun, thee simple joy ov finding things out for
ourselves.
Thee following texts are drawn from a variety ov sources, but all deal with thee
most common questions that are asked. Some are written by
Individuals with considerable experience ov TOPY methods, others by those who are
new to thee Temple. Some are taken from letters clarifying ideas or criticising
TOPY, others from more general places. We have taken much from thee many responses
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we have had to thee Skills Access form all Temple Individuals are asked to complete.
Thee views expressed are entirely those ov thee individual authors. They have been
edited to fit into thee structure ov this booklet, but in all cases we have taken
care not to distort what has been said, or to interpret what we as individuals may
find unclear. This is thee Temple talking to thee Temple - a communion and
communication ov Individuals to Individuals.
Before we go further, it should be remembered that people are attracted to TOPY for
many different reasons, that there is nothing consistent, nothing to categorise.
There are those who claim to know nothing, and those who presume to know it all.
This changes in time, as thee Temple draws out strengths and eliminates weaknesses.
Everyone, without exception, who gets in touch with thee Temple is urged to
demonstrate their interest by setting out their own thoughts and ideas, a first step
in showing a commitment to what thee Temple stands for. We are pleased that those
who think they know little are at least as able to respond as those with greater
experience. There is no "right response", and no shame in honesty. We thank all
those who have contributed to thee publication ov this booklet, and urge everyone
who reads it to follow their lead. As information flows in, so we will ensure that
it flows out. That is thee meaning ov Feedback, a continuity ov expression flowing
both in and out, creating a new understanding, a new sound, a new dimension.
T.O.P.Y. is action against dissatisfaction in a society that is passive not peaceful
(aiming for the throat)

From the Institute Of Positive Pagan Nihilism

to the passionate process that enfolds
(but does not control)
there is hope through energy.

Energies directed and multiplied,

energies conformed then deformed
energies facilitating psychick enemas.
To purge and purify,
to pain and putrefy.

To communicate is to cure.

-----------------------------------------
Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth is a collective body ov Individuals, all
working together towards a common goal. It is about thinking deeply about oneself,
questioning one's role in a so-called free society.
Man is essentially a robot: he has set programmes imposed on his life, even before
he is born. Whatever Man does he should do with passion. He should rise above thee
imposed trappings ov society. Involvement with thee Temple is purely active and
positive, thee bottom line being: "I don't want to lead a pointless existence,
following and accepting thee indoctrination ov a worthless society.
With Man's progress, our self-destructive nature drives us all further from our true
selves. In thee Temple we are a group ov people trying to halt this process by
turning into ourselves and helping others to accomplish thee same. From birth, a
person is conditioned to conform to thee accepted laws and morals ov thee society in
which they find themselves - each institution and aspect ov our culture is
intertwined with guilt and fears in order to push us on to thee acceptable path.
Society is thus so easily capable ov moulding one into a flat, one-dimensional
person (thee socially acceptable yet controlled person). TOPY goes to thee root ov
thee problem, challenging us to honestly reveal our innermost needs, expectations
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and desires, ov bringing them to consciousness in the hope ov breaking society's
Chain ov Control.
Involvement with TOPY can stem from an interest in investigating thee
potentialities ov thee brain: knowledge that has been massively suppressed by those
in Power. It includes making known information on both a political/conspiracy level,
and on thee level ov an Individual's control over their own life. We have been
taught to view thee State as a crutch to lean on, to fill our heads with
pre-packaged ideologies that avoid thee need for us to think for ourselves and which
create a society ov dead, bored, apathetic people. TOPY counters this by fighting
conditioning and by allowing thee individual's true selves to come through - at thee
same time there is action/research to demonstrate how all pervasive thee
"spectacular" society is. By working together we can pool research, theories and
actions: this way forward avoids needless duplication and, where necessary, provides
allies and support for action. Much ov thee control mechanism ov society is based on
guilt about/around sex, it being easier to control a sexually repressed
person who thus always has a weak spot for thee Servants ov Power to
press. For this reason, thee Temple strives to destroy thee conditioning ov guilt
that lies deep in thee mind and which chains it to a mundane existence. Through
thee process ov freed (and free) love/sexuality thee mind can be focused and
channelled against all ov Power's conditioning mechanisms.
Thee tools ov thee Temple are first and foremost those which lay us open to thee
reality ov life in permanent flux. Many techniques can be used: trance inducing
music, chanting, dancing - these can all help strip down our outer mundane shell,
exposing our inner core to thee free play ov creative forces. Thee method most
favoured by thee Temple (because it is surrounded by thee most imposed guilt, fear
and limitation) is thee unashamed exploration ov sexuality. Fundamental to thee
workings ov thee Temple is thee belief that great psychic force/energy is released
at thee point ov orgasm and that this, if channelled, can effectively "make those
things happen" which will bring you closer to your ideal self.
This technique, and many more, can be found within thee many and varied
spiritual/magickal traditions ov thee world. It is thee aim ov thee Temple, through
practical experimentation, to extract thee core ov truth running through all, and
thus demystified to present a working formula for any Individual courageous and
compassionate enough to strike against dogma, habit, guilt, fear and all that weighs
on thee spirit; to strike against flat monotony under all its titles, and to step
into a magickal perception ov thee world.
TOPY is a lifeline ov magickal people aiming to change society for thee better
through thee magickal transformation ov Individuals, and by helping people to
understand thee power and potency ov their sexuality. A common mistake people make
is that they think that TOPY is just another fanatical religious organisation. They
hear thee name "Thee Temple Ov Psyckick Youth" and automatically assume its
philosophy will be an unquestioning dogma for thee masses. (Proving ov course that
thee society-controlled mass mind simply projects its crippled reality on to those
who seek to challenge thee orthodoxy ov thee moment.) However, thee difference
between TOPY and other groups is that we create an environment in which Individuals
have no choice but to find their own answers in order to improve themselves. Thee
emphasis is very much on individual exploration. TOPY gives people hints and
pointers, and whereas other organisations may make it easy for people seeking to
find
"answers", TOPY stresses that it is up to thee Individual's personal efforts for
anything to be gained. And it is a two-way process: as thee Individual learns things
from involvement with thee Temple, so thee Temple as a wider body learns from thee
Individual.
There are elements ov truth in all schools ov thought, but not one single school can
be thee "most correct" (no monopoly on knowledge!). What is needed is to take thee
parts from all - those aspects that seem thee most logical and honest - and to
discard that which perhaps reeks ov theatricals; understanding thee use ov rituals,
as did thee so-called "ignorant" Indians ov America before thee evil Christian
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soiled their pure mind (pure in that they understood thee deeper reality that is
thee essence ov magick). Many races and cultures ov thee world have stumbled across
truths in their religions. We should make use ov these and develop our own minds in
all possible ways.

Ov every organisation, TOPY comes closer than any to thee ideal ov freedom. All
areas ov life, especially those most taken for granted as being correct and right,
are called into question. Questions open up possibilities ov thought and action, all
in thee pursuit ov a sublime happiness. Not only does this intense questioning
stimulate life, but it helps us affirm or reaffirm ideas and behaviours. TOPY allows
people more confidence and comfort - hence more pleasure with themselves - in their
own environment. Comfort is not laziness. TOPY further guarantees freedom (something
that no other social arrangement can do, except that which evolves between very
close friends) by not only tolerating differences in thoughts and actions, but by
encouraging natural, intrinsic differences; that is, TOPY recognises thee inate
potential godliness ov being; and its methods, its Psychick Cross, its 23, its Ov,
can all help foster thee beauty ov each Being.

Thee Temple is a creative organisation, a place to share and learn. Creativity needs
to be freed. Time waits for no-one. We live once, so we take the opportunity:
Participation.

Is thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth a cult?

Yes, a non-existent one in that it exists as a cult only for those who are
uninformed and uninvolved. Thee Temple gives those involved positive
ammunition in thee war to relcaim ourselves, our world, our time, our love, thee
truth. To disconnect thee cables ov control.

Thee Temple az a non-organisation recognises thee reality ov Individ-uals. Thee

power ov Individuals focused by choice to some common points. We, as
multi-dimensional peoples live yes and no; colours, not black and
white/either-or. There are more than two choices! Religion, history,
psychology, magick: integrated for individual use. Sucksessors? To thee
Surrealists and thee Hippies? Radical interest in political and spiritual.
Sexuality as focus. Ov Power. Subconscious guns. Thee orgazm as divine
messenger. No denial ov sense-based vision. We are free! Let us stand up to see it
through thee veil ov control.

Many people ov small mind and spirit try to deny thee Temple its right ov existence.
They are so completely disillusioned and hopeless that they demand we all be as
miserable as they are. They call us crazy, power hungry, ego-maniacs, perverse,
money-hungry, non-sensical freaks.

O.K. Crazy? To change thee world we live in, yes. Power hungry? For power over our
own lives and destiny. Ego-maniacs? Yes, if as usual their definition ov an
ego-maniac is someone who wants to achieve, grow, change and progress. Yes - WE DO
THINGS! Perverse? Yes, and proud. Thee rational ov thee world is no rationale.
Sense? Right? Normal?
Whose sense? Whose right? Whose normal? No sense makes sense. Our
sexuality is our own. If you don't like it, leave it.
Money hungry? Sure. Money is but a way to get things done. Not thee only
way, but a way. Freaks? Oh yes! No, we do not fit in, we never fit in, and we
choose it that way, thank you. Fashion, morals, duty: they are yours not ours. YOU
keep them. A freak is someone with individual motivation, separate from thee
dictates ov past, present and future.
Thee Temple is not for all. In this time/space or ever.

WE WERE. WE ARE. WE WILL BE. WE ARE AZ WE ARE. AZ WE ARE. WE ARE

AZ WE AZ ARE WE. WE AZ ARE. WE AZ WE. WE AZ WE ARE. WE ARE AZ WE
ARE. AN ETERNAL L-OV-E IN
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TOPY is a collaboration ov Individuals. We fight all forms ov restriction to realise
thee potential ov thee human brain through a system ov pagan Magick. It exists
devoid ov dogma, be it political or religious. Information is shared amongst those
involved, not in order to be treated as instruction but rather as a means to promote
participation, discipline and contribution to an ideal as opposed to self-ambition.
Thee recognition that only truth counts. Rituals (sigils) are employed as a means
ov discovering one's true psyche, desires (and their realisation), integrating thee
conscious and subconscious as a way to produce a spiritually whole person as opposed
to a fragmented shell.
TOPY attempts to wake people up to thee fact that they are controlled,
socially programmed to suit those with an interest in control, and that guilt and
fear are weapons employed to suppress natural advancement.
Preconceptions must be swept aside and a de-programming occur until
fearless and guiltless sexuality is mastered. Thee Temple embraces suitable forms ov
technology to support its aims for collective advancement. Methods ov information
access include PTV recordings, booklists, video deprogramming transmissions. These
are all designed to surprise, even shock, but with a view to expansion, thee removal
ov limitation.
***********************
It is difficult to understand the infinite and the inexpressible contained, albeit
hidden controlled and repressed, in much ov the grey parade that is called life,
even within one's own mind; but to communicate an idea that is beyond your own ego
to another ego is almost impossible. The closest things to transmitting such ideas
are Zen Parables, or Koans, such as what is the sound of one hand clapping, or what
is enlightened Buddha being answered by being hit over the head with a brick. The
Temple represents colour, but colour has to be seen, not intellectually analysed.
I justify my involvement with the Temple by saying, just as the present
world needs the Temple (love being such a rare bird) I feel the need to help and be
part ov something that represents evolution and a better future. I personally have
lost "friends" because ov their inability to perceive what the Temple means (people
conditioned by shit... who see in their little egos the wearing ov a PTV badge as
evidence ov a brainwashed moonie-type cult. How can I be in a cult when I know
only one individual even slightly connected with the Temple?; yet people whose only
knowledge ov the Temple - love, the future, colour, magick as sublime poetry - is
gleaned from those who wish to climb up the intestines ov the machine ov Babylon by
slagging the Temple off, presume to know better). Magick defends itself, but at
times the gentleness I see in the Temple makes it a sitting duck for the projection
ov complexes ov the cynical, bitter and controlled. The Temple's crusade to free the
individual from control so s/he can grow focuses on sexuality because it's the only
thing everybody is involved with at some
point in their passage from birth to death, in whatever form. This is what scares
the repressed, the puritanical who seem intent on punishing a new generation for the
brief but vital progress that took place in the 60s. There is no Temple sexuality:
its sexuality is mine, yours, or that ov any other individual involved. There is
fuck all wrong with sex despite the macho-men and unbelievable creations ov the
media and the flags ov restriction put up by both the political left and the right
(all nasty oppressive illusions, not only are all cliches true, but all paradox).
The methods ov the Temple are vital because ov the appreciation ov the
functional uses ov technology, the Magick ov the 1980s is filed on computer,
photographed and taped, rather like the tools ov control. As Peter the Great ov
Russia said: "our enemies will teach us how to beat them." The Cross is a symbol.
Like all symbols it helps communicate an idea quickly and focuses the will. It is
potent and harmless and very powerful. The nuber 23 is a bit ov a situationist prank
as nothing freaks out the flat people as this mystic number.
The Temple = psychedelic + discipline

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Individuals controlling their own minds themselves, by opening up.
***********************
TOPY WITHOUT TEARS
Most people, when they come into contact with TOPY, will do so via Psychic TV.
Whilst being a useful expression of and filter for TOPY, this has been the cause of
misunderstanding of what TOPY is about, why it has to be here.

Firstly, it's important to say that TOPY is emphatically not a fan club for PTV
- not a spin-off. While PTV are there for everyone to see, access without thought,
as it were, TOPY is something else - it "gives" to the amount you "push". It lies
behind, but is not contained by, PTV.
This much should be obvious. It is easier to say what TOPY isn't than to say what it
is.
Basically, TOPY as a "system" is an expression of the ideas and methods of all the
individuals involved. But TOPY "in itself" is harder to define - it is the idealised
Hidden Instrument of Evolution - the "organum occultus". The hidden instrument is
magickal- a synergetic interaction of certain powers of the brain. It has no
"direction". Its centre is everywhere. Thus it cannot be "possessed". The hidden
instrument is the means by which inner potential "happens".
TOPY is about setting change into motion NOW. It's about questioning
authority NOW. It's about releasing the social function of subjectivity from the
doghouse. Letting the dog roam free.
All this is now. TOPY has arrived as an urgent force to overcome the endless
deferral of all this - the realisation of our dreams.
Our resource - our sincerity.
It is a synchronistic vector - the "dis-ease" being the dream of social and
individual transformatin - of which we continually remind ourselves, and struggle to
realise, in our rituals, our work.
TOPY is an expanding system of caring and action - communication without
limit - MUTUALITY. We are aware that language alone does not suffice. Too many
systems expand in direct proportion to their insistence on the dogma of their WORD.
TOPY's method is to cut up the word, cut up behaviour - to find meaning beyond the
parameters of Control. To re-connect at the source - our "spirit".

Therefore, it is not a religion, not a cult. We have no use for gods, devils,
"instruction". We have nothing to fall back on but that which is in us. Everything
we see is ourselves. TOPY is, in the best sense of the word, a movement. The
movement, the process, being continual and at various levels simultaneously -
spotting the lies, the disjunction between socialised "givens" and our dreams, our
real potential - deciding to commit oneself to re-connecting with one's potential -
and doing. We have many "people" within each one of us - we want them all.
This is expressed in our ritual and all our manifestations. Our network - our mutual
experience and searching of TOPY.
The maturity of man/woman - that means to have reacquired the
seriousness that one had as a child at play. (Nietzsche)
Vide infra (SSOTBME)
As explained at some length in the Grey Book, the Temple's initial and root method
is the recognition and utilisation of our true sexuality - the invocation of primal
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sexual energies latent in the subconscious. The concept of "sexual energy" is, for
the Temple, interchangeable with "psychic energy". Sex is the medium for magick -
the frequency of truth. The sigil is its practice, the keystone.
...the significance of sexuality must be extended to embrace Reality, or that which
endures after all else fades... (Kenneth Grant)
In a very real way our sexuality is interactive with our behaviour as a whole. With
the Temple Method we cut up traditional sexual behaviour in order to release the New
Sexuality - new because it is everchanging, ever regenerating. Thus liberating our
real sexuality (everybody - every man and woman is a man and woman), we liberate
our behaviour away from Control. We seek to deprogramme ourselves from harmful
internalised alienating stereotypes. "Control begins with sexuality" (TOPY). We seek
to reacquire the seriousness and curiosity that we had as children, to observe and
act without guilt/fear. If there is one simple description of TOPY, it is that every
involved Individual recognises the need to overcome GUILT and FEAR of DARING TO BE.
We "see below" in order to "rise up".
New sexuality - ever youthful.
***********************
Jung saw symbols as "libido analogues", capable of transforming energy. A
representation channels libido (psychic/sexual energy) into new form -invokes ever
renewed potential. Symbols in themselves represent NO
SEPARATION. That is, the Psychic cross is a total synthesis of all we think of and
mean by the Temple. For express purposes, and certain time-zones, some of its
components can be isolated, but ultimately there is no separation. It exists of
itself: the characteristic of all living symbols.
Because the Psychick Cross has many "personalities", a multiplicity of
explanations, it is an ideal symbol for TOPY. Various significances have been
pointed our: the single vertical line as the Individual, bottom horizontal as Past,
middle horizontal as Present, top as Future. The Cross of Jesus and the inverted
Cross of Satan combined. A television aerial. The alchemical symbol "very
poisonous".
"We didn't choose it so much as the symbol chose us." A symbol of
disenchantment, uncertainty and challenge/change.
The point of all this is that, like a true Individual, it cannot be pinned down.
Neither - Neither.
The Psychick Cross also incorporates the 23 mythology. The number 23 is
total neither-neither territory (Austin Osman Spare's mindfuck technique - comparing
opposites separate, together, then absent).
(But of course it isn't. It is just a number like any other, 22 before it, 24 after,
surely?) Except that 23, for us, seems to behave very strangely. It has become a
snake in the grass of reason. Thus the exception; for the Temple always the
exception. The Individual. Every man and woman is a 23.
"A presence, neither good luck or bad luck, it seemed to have some sort of control
over its appearance." Like the Psychick Cross, 23 has been isolated to symbolise
certain concepts, random chance, Crowley's GET OUT, Burroughs' total cut-up, Robert
Anton Wilson's total paranoia symbol. Its "common" (!) significance is its
provocativeness, its individuality, however one wishes to depict it. So, OK, you
have your cynicism, you may remain unconvinced, may not recognise TOPY, you see
everywhere human weakness and self-interest - but the next step is to realise that
cynicism is not a total answer, that the facade/shell of ego/"cool"/style can, and
must be, discarded before we grow once more and enter a new "time zone" of
evolution. Drop your shield, be vulnerable, thee wound is the reminder, you cannot
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remain untouched, so
touch yourself.
Enter the Combat Zone. The Temple has declared war. It does not do so
lightly.
T.O.P.Y. is an energy, fuelled with fiery Individuals who want change.
Change. People are too hung up with sex, with getting things done, so they mess up.
No-one cares anymore. To become rewarded is to give. And to give is contagious, to
create synergism.
The Self is who I am after, yet I cannot find her until I give her away, and watch
her without from within; then I can go. Egos are selfish and jealous - to reverse
the Ego is to open the mind; to be curious; to recognise, to understand, to commit.
Without altering the Ego one cannot undergo the process. E to 3.
I am curious. Curious and willing to learn. Tell me what I could do for the group
that would help me. Not really help, but INlighten. For we are all out for
INlightenment, for each one of us, ourselves, and for the whole. First know to be
yourself, then to help the group, then to know you ARE your self.
For me I cannot "When in doubt - BE EXTREME"
Right now it's "When in doubt - Do Nothing"
I am curious Right Now.

CROSS!

Life is mediated by symbols. Symbols that steal. Numerical symbols that

steal our intelligence. Word symbols that steal our voice. Pornographic
symbols that steal our sexuality. Magical symbols that steal our will. A death on
your symbols. Let each kill themselves.

The Psychick Cross is a symbol that represents the idea of "without

Symbols". It is the first entry in a dictionary of the future Meta-symbolical
language, a language of no-thought.

T.O.P.Y. is directed anger (which in itself is only Love). A foundation set up to

compile this "dictionary" which all WEs will need in order to survive. A clearing
house of symbols.

When ever you dis-cover stamp on a Psychick Cross. This release it for our use.
---------------------------------------------

The Temple Ov Psychick Youth is an organisation that has been created to further the
ideas and feelings of those who feel that they have something to contribute to the
running of society. The Temple involves a large scope of feelings and images that
are connected to each other by the potency of their own desires.
Firstly, the Temple as an organisation is created for those who feel and
believe that they can increase their own potential in body and mind by
pushing themselves to the limit of their durability, and do so in such a way that
they can find the limitations of their own body as well as finding how far they can
really go in producing a perfect understanding of themselves. Unlike other
creations, the Temple does not try to coerce of push an Individual into doing what
"it" wants them to do - the contrary is true, the Temple encourages the individual
to think and act for themselves, perhaps offering gentle instruction as an aid to
success. The Temple remains as a haven for help where friends are guaranteed. A
spiritual as well as physical father. By involving oneself with the Temple you find
that the trappings of an autocratic society are handcuffs to the spirit, holding you
in place, disabling a mind, disallowing it to think and act for itself - laying down
rigid rules that must be adhered to. The Temple, conversely, encourages us that
we need no regimented rules to survive, all we need is to expend a minimal amount of
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consideration for our fellow people, to accept differences in colour, ideas,
sexuality, etc. Falling (sic), the rules of our wonderful and enlightened society
has led to nothing but war, man killing man; religion playing a large part in the
reasons for war. Religion is another point that the Temple puts across. It shows us
the trivialities in religion be it Christian or Hindu. The idea of believing in a
spiritual god - how abhorrent. It insults the intelligence to have god and jesus
rammed down our throats - Crass put my feelings very well when they said Jesus died
for his own sins, no mine. Religion is an
easy way for a frightened people to hide behind the eventuality of their own death -
it's okay, we will be going to a better life - what a joke. The only temple/god we
should worship is our own bodies - any sacrament to be given should be exercise of
the mind and body. Prayer should be an introspective look into your own feelings.
The Psychick Cross is a symbol that is easily recognisable - and therefore a medium
through which publicity can be shown. Unlike the "cross" the psychick cross is a
very strong image of ideals, and shows a firm belief in what we feel the Temple
stands for; I know that when people see the cross on my clothes - be it badges,
t-shirts - and they ask what it stands for, they will always associate it with the
Temple as well as Psychic TV. The strength of its images remains in the
subconscious, therefore leading to easy recognition.
The Temple roots its beliefs in magic where sexuality and mental strength have
always played an important role. This world is inhibited by its narrow-mindedness of
sexuality. The Temple shows us that we should not be embarrassed by it, nor
inhibited by it. This does not necessarily mean infidelity, or polygamous behaviour.
Free Love can be practised between two individuals involved in a close relationship
because the restraints of society are prevalent in marriage etc. It encourages us to
be free - the most important aim for all humans - to be rid of a repressive society
and to develop together with no feelings of materialism.

Although society is against us, too many people are unable to stand up for
themselves, they allow themselves to be carried along without stating how they wish
things should be done. If we work hard enough though, perhaps one day we will have a
world where at least the ideas of the Temple are practised, even if they are
disconnected from the actual force and developer of those ideas.
---------------------------------------------
The Temple is a group of people who together, and individually, work to
combat any form of personal restriction. Quite simply we want to make our dreams,
and those of everyone else, come true.
We work on three levels, or ratios. On the first level we examine our real selves,
discovering our dreams, our potential, our REAL selves. We then try to live our
lives, realising our dreams and making the most of what we have to offer (skills,
abilities, etc...), thus following (to use a rather archaic term) our destiny. Once
an initiate begins to work on this ratio, he/she has a chance to take joint control
of the helm. The Temple is constantly evolving: each initiate has the chance to help
dictate the direction of that evolution. In the 3rd ratio we work to try and improve
the world in which we live. At this level we try to act as an evolutionary goad,
pushing mankind back on course.
We realise that the only way of achieving anything is to help one another. So
whenever we can we donate time, money, ideas and skills to T.O.P.Y. We receive no
reward for this: no medals, no "I raised $100" selling t-shirts. The reward is the
knowledge that we have helped someone else to realise their dreams.
We are an international group, with bases in the UK, Holland, Germany,
Sweden, Canada and America.
As is obvious ("Temple" & "Psychick") we are metaphysically minded. Many
of our methods could be considered magickal. Magick is merely a technique for
helping us negate the effects of restriction and control; and live (again that
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rather naff word) destiny. We are constantly developing and refining our own magick.
We do not believe in any great powerhouse in the sky, any gods, angels, demons, etc.
We have realised that the human brain is capable of much more than it is used for.
Our magick operates within the human nervous system - and works!

Our magickal techniques are a little too "technical" to go in to. Suffice it to say
that one of our main sources of energy is sexuality and orgasms. Sex plays a very
important role in our philosophy as the energy obtained from it is tremendous. As
was said earlier, we try to "touch our real selves". Our first stepping stone to
this is the removal of restriction placed on our sexuality by society. Once a month,
or more, an initiate performs a simple magickal exercise which is designed to bring
him/her closer to his or her real sexuality - as experienced in sexual fantasies.
There should be no holds on sex, one should be able to enjoy sex in whatever way
one, and one's partner(s), want to.

Our symbol, logo, emblem or whatever - the Psychick Cross - contains a great deal of
symbolism. The most obvious facets are: 1, it is the reverse of the Papal Cross,
thus making it an anti-papal cross; 2, it is an "E" for Ego, backed with a reversed
"E", thus representing the negation of the Ego's role over the human mind.

In many systems of magick numbers are said to have meanings. 23 has

many meanings all of which are applicable to the Temple: Initiation; Union of Fire
and Water (symbols of male and female) - sex; Integration of all levels of
consciousness.

I first heard of T.O.P.Y. through the drunken ramblings of someone I now

find it impossible to describe. At the time "Godstar" boomed from his room almost
constantly. After this, a friend lent me "Dreams Less Sweet". I bought a few
records, sent off for some literature.

Previously, I had dabbled with THELEMA, which seemed to ask the right
questions, but gave the wrong answers. T.O.P.Y. seemed to ask equally
pertinent questions (and sometimes more so), and answered them with
nothing but Hagbard Celine's "Think for yourself Schmuck". As time went on I became
increasingly interested in, and in agreement with, the Temple's ideas.
At last a decent magickal system. No more silly Kabbalistic rituals. Simple,
straightforward, and functional. A chance to help, however little, however much.
Perhaps even to meet people who've got better things on their mind than taking the
piss.

---------------------------------------------

The Temple is an international group of people who want to improve the

quality of not only their own lives, but of everybody. We have realised that the
life of the average person lacks direction and meaning. Human beings are persuaded,
by various methods, to do what they are told, however subtly, rather than what they
really want. Some realise this and "drop out", hiding the world behind a beer can or
a line of coke; others try to change the world. We are in the latter group. We try
to do nothing unless we really want to. We try to differentiate between "pretend"
desires programmed into us by society, and our true wishes. We then try to live
these true desires. That is what real freedom is. Our method is, I believe, the most
powerful. We use magick; not card tricks or turning princes into frogs; but real
magick (that's what the "k" on the end signifies), which is a method of programming
your own mind to do what you want it to do. We use sex as a tool for elevating the
mind in much of our magick. Sex is one of our basic needs. It is also the most
powerful force we have access to.

---------------------------------------------

What attracted you to T.O.P.Y.?

The systematic use ov will power to make dreams become real. The
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undogmatic appreciation ov the inherent potentials ov thee Individual who wants to
see and is not afraid to invest energy in finding their true self, their true
desires, and to act accordingly. Furthermore, the new approach to Magick: a
demystified system ov practical techniques to extend the perception and skill ov
acting consciously according to one's own nature without guilt.
In what ways has T.O.P.Y. failed to live up to your expectations so far?
I see T.O.P.Y. as an active forum/expression/output ov thee assembled
energy ov its members. I consider myself taking part in thee process and
don't feel that thee organ has failed to live up to my expectations as they are
identical with thee expectations I have for myself in life. I apply T.O.P.Y. in my
life according to my own interpretation and accept no dogmaa, and as long as I feel
that my intentions coincide with T.O.P.Y. and that its structure is based on mutual
appreciation/trust/respect/challenge/communication then I invest energy in this
forum. I am curious/open-minded by nature. In thee course ov time and involvement
much is explained. I have no fear.
Explain T.O.P.Y.
Through education, school, inherited dogmatic value systems, TV, radio,
written/spoken propaganda people are continously deprived ov their self
respect as unique manifold human Individuals. We are systematically
discouraged by thee keepers ov addicts to Control from exploring our real physical
and mental needs and potentials. We are exposed to constant programming, its main
aim being streamlining ov thought into unquestioned acceptance ov illusory
satisfaction, leaving an unlocated feeling ov frustration behind. Fear is the Key to
Control/Manipulation. Thee fear ov change/thee unknown/thee unsecure/thee unfamiliar
- all these block thee Individual longing for development/experience and make
him/her accept thee vast offer ov surrogates and substitutes in today's world
system. Those who are not contented with this pseudo-reality seek other ways for
deeper knowledge/realisation ov dreams, and create their own forum/access point for
mutual encouragement/support/challenge ov individuality and will.
We are history, thee sum ov our ancestors. If we ignore our own history and its
impact on our lives, we are inclined to repeat thee pitfalls and disasters ov
previous generations. We dig our own graves as culture.
Christianity has monopolised thee European thought system and thee use ov ancient
methods/rituals as a means ov recollecting force, and has deformed its intentions to
thee point where they lose every form ov potence and sense while being refunctioned
to "evil/dangerous mysticism/occultism".
Ritual as Access Point to thee inner regions ov thee mind and focus ov will into
conscious action. . .thee threat to status quo in thee present socio-political and
cultural world-system. A society deprived ov its history/past is a society deprived
ov its future and identity.
Sex is thee primal key to thee mental system ov a person. It is thee nucleus ov
their own past, present, and future. In thee moment ov orgasm thee brain is for a
short period ov time thrown out ov/disconnected from its subconsciously
socialised/adapted thought-system. In this moment ov
disconnection thee brain is highly susceptible to new information. Orgasm is thee
Access Point ov de- and re-programming ov thee mind. Storage ov subconscious
information - thee seed to conscious action. Attack on subconsciousness determines
thee overflow to consciousness latently transformed into concrete action.

Education/indoctrination has trimmed our minds in thee course ov a life-

time to fit thee demands/needs ov thee control units in society. We see
continuous re-education as a necessity in order to develop. Ritual
strengthens our determination to find and do our true selves and to cross new
borders ov knowledge and understanding, to avoid thee obstacles to thee realisation
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ov our dreams. Through self-decided
"indoctrination/dedoctrination" ov thee subconscious mind we avoid daily
pitfalls in mental laziness and cowardice/compromise. Free sexuality without guilt
liberates our mind from inherent blocking mechanisms between consciousness. Free
flow ov information between thee brain hemispheres brightens our eyes, makes us
clear, strong and real.
23: Number ov "Coincidence" - thee genes in thee human being consist ov 23
chromosomes, blood needs 23 seconds to cross thee human body. A sign ov life and
death, its correlation and its unknown dimensions. Death/mortality - thee ultimate
reference point for each human being. To live fully without regrets or not. We are
mortal. Here and Now.
Christians have their Cross - fetish ov guilt and shame. Christ on thee Cross -
symbol ov martyrdom/sacrifice for thee sinfulness ov thee human race. Unworthy,
godless slaves.
We repudiate - have our own fetish/symbol for thee immense possibilities
and dimensions ov thee human mind and vessel in life. Thee Psychick Cross - an
alchemical symbol for (magickally) dangerous material/knowledge. Thee Temple Ov
Psychick Youth is "danger" to dogmatic/streamlined thought, that is to thee
stability/status quo in present society/culture: thee seed to a new science/way ov
living.
Magick: a system ov Will Made Flesh. We focus our will in collective ritual across
thee world on thee 23rd ov each month, and programme/tune-in our mutual
wavelengths/sexual desires in thee moment ov orgasm. Our will-power programmed in
thee genes and assembled in thee liquids ov semen/lubricant/blood/spit, and hair.
Thee features ov thee embryo is decided/determined through thee thoughts
ov sexual partners during coitus. Thought made Flesh. Will made Real.
T.O.P.Y. Made Real.
---------------------------------------------
In answer to a cynical journalist:
Most people can't stomach the "missionary zeal", so to speak, so any mention of a
"Great Crusade to save The World" is right out of the window. The Temple is there
for those who want it - it isn't another banal ideology, but a network of Individual
interests where information is relayed to one another on the basis of practical
experience. You've heard of synergy: the working together of two or more elements to
create an effect greater that the sum of the individual elements' output. Well
that's us! We support one another by our own efforts - like a latter-day tribe.

What impels a person to work within the Temple? A dissatisfaction with

current societal values, perhaps. An awareness of possibilities within
ourselves that most recognised institutions of society, religious or otherwise,
either flatly deny or appear reluctant to expand upon. (As social beings we have an
inner need to express ourselves amongst friends - interpreting "friends" as those
people who can relate to you!) All such answers seem a bit "rhetorical" to me, so we
might gain a better understanding of the "attraction" of T.O.P.Y. by taking a brief
look at the ideas and methods it collectively presents.
We take a very broad view - limitlessly so - of the means at our disposal towards
self-development. Jung called it individuation. Aleister Crowley called it the
realisation of the True Will. You may call it simply "Maturity". From the lore of
Magic (a much scoffed at notion, superficially, in our high-tech rationalistic era;
but isn't our science the highest magic to a so-called primitive? And what arrogance
you have to deny the function of something you know nothing about, despite its
overwhelming history of practice?!), to music, to martial art; if the perceptive
individual thinks there is something worth picking up on, we will attempt to pluck
it out of the mire and use it!
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That is why T.O.P.Y. is often seen in the "public eye" to "wallow morbidly" in
social taboos; or however else they choose to put it. Life's too short and wonderful
to run away from and/or wrap up in unnecessary prohibitions/superstitions. So, cut
out the crap! The Temple brings together people who aren't afraid to try a little.
The luxuries of Western "civilisation" (loud laughter) also bring greater excuses
for us to get very lazy.
(The notion of forced commitment, street-corner proselytizing, I find
repulsive. We emphasise, more than anything else, the power and
cretiveness of the individual will; how that feeling can be shared through
communication and care. To force others to "join in" would defeat the purpose of the
network. How can I force you to be yourself? [eg. forcing another to emulate my
thoughts & feelings is no freedom for the other person.] What the fucks the point?
We can only provide inspiration - no greedy Gurus infest this House.)

Why do I think T.O.P.Y. is important? Could answer that in several ways I suppose.
The workings of the Temple are not always to my liking, but then, as a network with
some degree of structuring/organisation, what else do you expect? Humanity has yet
to invent a machine that is 100% efficient. And involvement with T.O.P.Y. does NOT
mean you go along with every suggestion that's put forward. In terms of energy,
feedback and so on, you reap what you sow; just as with any human relationship (I
use that analogy quite intentionally). Anyway, I feel it is important because - in
an age of much insincerity - T.O.P.Y. is rooted in what I ultimately recognise as
COMMON SENSE. We seek to embrace the earthly human condition, warts and all. We look
at ourselves and recognise the need to strive for personal goals; expand our often
blinkered definition of "self" by trying to utilise the new and the strange;
experiment, instead of wallowing in the "fear of the unknown"; reject dogma, reject
guilt, reject anything that leads to unnecessary anxiety - not by pushing things to
the side, but by confrontation. (The quickest route
between two points is a straight line.) Such ideas, although expressed a little
dogmatically here for the sake of brevity, outline a healthy, strong approach to
living. And it feels very refreshing to be amongst friends who won't try to fob you
off with more alienating politics or mystical pap.
No, my involvement with T.O.P.Y. has not equipped me with easy panaceas
for the problem of Government, etc. We live in a complex environment - I am the
first to admit it. T.O.P.Y. has no manifesto up its collective sleeve. Rather, we
consider the situation from the perspective of "To change the World you must first
change yourself." It is no use disbanding the police-force tomorrow if they are all
going to continue acting in the same way to the people they picked on before!
(To amuse myself, I might describe involvement in the Temple as a course in psychic
self-defense for the outsider! But then you'd probably take that the wrong way. The
Temple is NOT a cheap sort of psychotherapy; no psychic prescriptions from Doc
P-Orridge, or anybody ridiculous like that. Nobody involved in the network wishes to
suffer fools gladly, and the only people "assessed" are ourselves - BY OURSELVES. A
little eccentricity leads to a progression of ideas - stupidity does not! And you
must ultimately deal with your own problems, if you wish to reclaim personal
responsibility at all - a belief that is central to T.O.P.Y. philosophy.)

Why the big profile on Sex in T.O.P.Y.? The fact that you feel our "high
profile" needs to be mentioned may provide part of the answer! As I have
already tried to indicate, the Temple strives to eliminate our (often
culturally inherited) feelings of guilt. We consider sexual energy to be of great
importance - its free expression is our very birthright, in whatever way our nature
inclines. The neuroses and psychosomatic ailments resulting from high levels of
sexual repression have been catalogued well enough by now, without me having to
re-iterate the point. And guilt about one's personal sexual activities can be used
as a potent weapon in the hands of your adversaries - just look at the gutter press.
Sexuality is just that - whether it be expressed in "fetishism", "homosexual"
activity (a horrible, clinical expression if ever I heard one), and so on. It's
nobody's business but your own.

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Having said that, it is obvious that many people - particularly the younger - pursue
an active sex life without recourse to massive guilt! So why all the hypocrisy about
its public expression? Why the hassle? Evidently, the mass media does not reflect an
accurate - honest - picture of our feelings. The Sunday Sport continues to make sex
and sexuality an absurdity - something to sneer at. We wonder why.
T.O.P.Y. wishes to take sexuality a step further by investigating the powers we
consider to be generated by sexual activity, so that they can be used for the
benifit of the individual. Every Individual. Orgasm has a powerful effect on one's
perception, body chemistry, bio-electric field, etc., if only for a few moments. And
we feel that the state of being created can be put to use, in combination with
intense desire. Again, we are entering the arena of "magick" and ritual (all sex is
ritual); we are considering the so-called dark side of nature, and to a TV
generation brought up on Dennis Wheatley films, such ideas seem very taboo. We wish
to break down those superstitions - we have little room for fear in such speculative
areas - but we have no vested interest in people agreeing with our aims and methods.
(We are not out to harm anybody, so please remain sensible and leave us be if you
are sceptical/unimpressed.)
Of course you can't discuss sex without mentioning AIDS nowadays. To
counter popular misconceptions let it be stressed that the Temple does NOT encourage
orgiastic or promiscuous behaviour - forced promiscuity to prove one's "liberation"
is just a stupid and damaging as exaggerated pruder; if it goes against your natural
inclinations. I suggest you use your common-sense and exercise responsibility. But,
to give an example: should someone attracted to their own sex no longer feel
attracted because circumstances dictate a certain degree of caution with the choice
of partners? We think not. Circumstances and the means of your natural indulgence
may vary quite a bit, but the right to "be and feel" whatever you are does not. This
must be kept in mind, as the puritans cry out for "conformity" yet again. . .

---------------------------------------------
Thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth, we are united, united in the differences that
constitute our individuality. At one stage or another all ov us had reached the same
crossroad. The roads were clearly marked - conformity, control, suburbia, soap and
no hope. The general flat planes that lead to a hollow, wasted death. Instead, we
deliberately leave the roads to travel cross-country - to aim for the high mountains
on the horizon. There are no clearly visible signposts, no neatly maintained roads
and no resting points. The undergrowth can be extremely dense, the inhabitants
hostile and the speed of travel tiresomely slow. But etched on the horizon, amongst
the loftiest of mountains is a Psychick Cross. We move onwards and upwards. This is
the way of T.O.P.Y.
To travel with T.O.P.Y. is to map out your own route, to cross virgin
territory, often alone. You discover you pace, your own dreams of the goal.
Discovering your own philosophy of life, but instead of preaching it you live it,
and live it to the full. We may travel alone, but we obtain strength that elsewhere
in the wilderness others are planning and travelling their own routes to the same
goal. We may rendezvous, by chance or by desire. We can then share, relate our
travels and exchange maps for we know that to fulfill our life we must help fulfill
others: open their eyes, let them help us open ours. Share our results and tactics
and help to change the maps of old. To lay new paths and roads and satisfy the
discontentments of society and its expectations and
limitations of an individual.

It is every person's basic right and task to be as they will, as they truly will.
The study is long and hard to find this will. Total self-honesty is needed. The
ability to touch oneself, no less. T.O.P.Y. will encourage, suggest ways of touching
at all levels and of all aspects, by using rituals and intuitive magickal methods
specifically aimed at getting closer to oneself. To integrate all the different
levels and aspects to develop a total, free individual.
T.O.P.Y. realises that every man and woman has their own potential to
Page 25
 podsbos7
achieve and live by. This can vary greatly within individuals but this is the key
because each individual's achievements are relative to only that one person's
potential. There is no competitive hierarchy as that would serve only to stifle
development. Each individual must ultimately justify their every motive, action and
belief to themselves. If they achieve this then they are allowing T.O.P.Y. to
achieve itself. It cannot work in reverse. It can be hard. To start to truly look at
yourself can hurt. Strength, honesty and commitment are needed to move towards
T.O.P.Y. Sexuality is a key as within sexuality the restrictions and constrictions
of society and its controls can bite the hardest. To liberate and understand one's
own sexuality is to liberate and understand T.O.P.Y. An individual who has learnt to
express themselves sexually can then use the lessons learnt here to inspire freedom
and development in other aspects of their person. Your sex and sexuality
belong to yourself. The energies it generates all come from within your
psyche. At the peak of sex the doors open, the barriers collapse and there is no
separation. The interchange between conscious and "sub"-conscious is complete. Using
controlled focusing at this magickal time, T.O.P.Y. individuals can make a conscious
desire to move to the higher levels of their own consciousness where it can take
effect and help the dreams become real. By truly understanding this process and
tailoring it to an individual's methods, breakthrough can be reached and you have
given yourself back to yourself.
These methods of sexual focusing provide the basis of T.O.P.Y. workings. The results
achieved here by the individual filter down through all levels, all actions, all
motives. All comes from within the individual.
T.O.P.Y. has a psychick symbol and a psychick number. Both of these are
woven deeply into the sub-structure. Both act as a focus, as a synthesis of beliefs
and actions; as a trigger. The Psychick Cross with its horizontal arms in the ratio
of 2 to 3 can be interpreted on many levels: to signify the individual (the vertical
line) with his/her past (bottom line), present (middle) and future (top); a symbol
of integration between opposing functions within an individual of T.O.P.Y. (3 E).
The arms flow outwards from the Cross to symbolise growth and discovery whilst at
the same time they all draw inwards to focus and synthesize this growth within the
individual. A cross to sacrifice the self upon; a uniform symbol to identify with,
but like T.O.P.Y. itself to be interpreted in different ways by different
individuals.
The magickal number 23 is interwoven throughout T.O.P.Y. It is the point of focus,
to integrate, to dissolve. A time, a time for work, a date to complete a task 23
times is to see it move deep within the consciousness. A number that's history is
proven and potent, one that occurs internationally,irrationally and totally
naturally. Like the Psychick Cross, indeed like T.O.P.Y., 23 is the gateway, the
crossover point to internal focus and development and external flowering.
When there is no other way.
T.O.P.Y.
---------------------------------------------
~ Thoughts on The Temple ~
The Temple Ov Psychick Youth is a body of like-minded, ageless souls all
striving in an individual manner towards a collective goal: a guiltless state of
self-awareness.
The exploration of our innermost desires by the release of the sexual spirit, and
thus the freeing of our emotions of dogma and external control, is fundamental to
the process by which the Temple achieves its collective identity. The process is a
deeply personal voyage of discovery (the very fact of the emphasis of the individual
testifies to this), one in which the Temple acts as a guiding light, a processor of
information and its re-direction.

Page 26
 podsbos7
"No Man is an Island", and for this reason the Temple is both needed for
support in our battle, and as a focus for the support we ourselves can offer. Its
sum being greater than the parts, the Temple serves as a sounding board for ideas,
provoking thought which may under other circumstances never have been given the
right "culture" in which to form and grow. Thus the Temple is a growing, living
organism whose form is a result of the collection of "cells" within it, as in any
biological organism. The analogy with the natural world is of direct significance.
All life operates within a set environment or eco-system, but its very presence is
an integral part of that system. If any one species grows it is at the cost of
another, and if any "external force" is introduced the balance can be forever
altered with the possibility of collapse (eg: Rainforests). The Temple is such a
force, one which could ultimately over-turn the preconceived ideas of our Western
society. This may seem to many to be a fanciful argument, but to those who mock I
would say, "how small is a virus or cancer cell that can cause the collapse of an
organism."
We may be small, but we are growing to attack like a cancer from within!
We must stand together, we must fight!
~ On criticism of the Temple ~
How can you criticize an organisation which makes statements such as ". . .
we support your individuality", "we offer no dogma", and talks of "de-
programming". These are some of the most important statements mady by
T.O.P.Y., and show the principal aims of the Temple: the realisation of
YOURSELF, which results in SELFLESSNESS in the most positive way - no
greed, no sex barriers, no age barriers, no race barriers. . . .etc.
The ultimate goal of LOVE and escape from the prison of 20th Century
(especially western) ideas and values. DON'T WE ALL FEEL THE SAME? Thee
Temple gives no orders, it gives a method through books, records, states of mind to
a form of enlightenment. "You must understand 'til it hurts. The mind must be
stretched to include emotions, thoughts and points of view entirely foreign to the
narrow limits of our present life." (quote from "Zen" by Christmas Humphreys) To me,
the Temple is about THINKING and trying to spread this FREEDOM.
SEXUALITY: This I am only myself realising at the moment - NO GUILT. We
see it on T.V. every day: twisted sex values - TURN IT OFF! I can't find the right
words to use about my sigil experiences but I feel re-charged, focused, powerful,
aware.
THEE PSYCHICK CROSS: This to me forms a kind of focus (not in a fearful,
religious sense) and is a common ground and understandable sign to those
involved within T.O.P.Y.
23: This to me is Kammerer's Law of Seriality. The natural rhythms, patterns,
harmonies in all the universe. It is an expression of this belief of the unexplored
forces that act upon us.
---------------------------------------------
I can relate to what the Temple Ov Psychick Youth is trying to do because we are all
living in a world where chaos reigns. The Western World has been under the dogma of
religion, Catholic and Protestant, for the last five hundred years. And its
teachings, far removed from the original message, have beenused to control the
masses and to shape humanity's moral codes.
So today we have people wanting to have spiritual freedom, but who
because of the age-old brain washing of God and the Devil, and good and evil, find
it hard. Even worse, most people in our society have to unlearn and begin at thee
beginning about their relationship with life, the universe and everything in it; and
they generally start looking within themselves for their answers. I personally think
Page 27
 podsbos7
that Christianity is on its last legs, as its churches are full of middle-aged and
old people, but not young people. So there are many who are searching for spiritual
freedom, and a truer relationship with life. The Temple Ov Psychick Youth provides a
means and a way for people to break free and rise above the lie of society. Because
magick, witchcraft are keys that unlock many of life's closed doors, and enable
individuals to explore and develop themselves on all planes of life, from spiritual
to
physical.
Nothing in life is easy, and magick is not an escape. As with all life you have to
give of yourself to receive, and giving of yourself means a sacrifice of time and
effort which is a hard lesson for many an aspiring occultist. So through contact
with open groups like T.O.P.Y., individuals can meet other people with similar
ideals in life.
Obviously people will have to face moral principles such as sexual Magick (tantric
yoga) and other methods used in ritual magick to raise the power, but this is
something they learn naturally and not unnaturally as the rest of society still
thinks and believes. They have to learn that they themselves create or destroy what
life presents before them, not God or the Devil, and thus having learnt go forth
into a new world of gods. After all, evil is essentially misplaced energy
(unnatural). So things like sex, and all pleasurable activity so long as it be done
with free will, are healthy for us in life.
This last point is another reason why I agree with T.O.P.Y.'s ideals: because they
encourage people to be free within themselves, and to discover their own true wills.
As A/C puts it: Do What Thou Wilt Shall Be The Whole Of The Law.
Love Is The Law, Love Under Will.
---------------------------------------------
My interpretation of T.O.P.Y. is that of the propagation of unlimited
expression and potential. Also, that of the freeing of world technology and
communication from the restraints of generally restrictive, authoritarian
value-systems. The Temple, to me, has the potential to both examine and free the
latency of both physical and psychical potential.
I would like to take part in a world-deprogramming task, and experience the
worthiness of my own full powers, in all their comparitive spheres.
These thoughts encompass my attitudes towards sexuality (in both its drive and
visionary factors) and also my movement towards a cooperative
methodology.
---------------------------------------------
What is Thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth?
To me, ultimately a special state ov mind - the place where all dreams meet. The
place you know exists but are afraid to admit it. A secret place, timeless, sexual,
a magick place open to all. Have you never felt so alive, happy, sexual that you
want to live forever? Or are you lost, scared or just too pissed off to care.
T.O.P.Y. can help you find your real self and you can help T.O.P.Y. in the process.
By helping and caring and coummitment to T.O.P.Y. the same energy is given back.
Love is not a dirty word, helping people is not wrong. For society to change, people
must change. People must see what is happening all around them. People must be given
information about sigils, dreamachines, magick. People must be pro-sexual, have
respect and caring for everybody.
What is wrong with being happy, alive, caring? So reject money - I'm on 16K a year,
smart mate but who's interested. I'm a Man City fan - You're dead. (Fighting for a
football team, strange.) This jumper cost $60. (Very smart, but does it make you
really feel better inside.)
Page 28
 podsbos7
In these times ov one-upmanship why not join the ultimate game and play
for your life and make history as well.
---------------------------------------------
Thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth acts as a focal point, a sigil to thee Will. It can
provide thee FORM about which thee FUNCTION ov Thee SELF can be wrapped. Thee act ov
focusing releases tremendous energy which Thee Temple, as a concourse, forms into a
flow ov energy. As a concept it sparks off Individual activity and through thee
Image ov Thee SIGIL it channels that energy into a creative outburst.
As a free form with a continuous flow ov unrestricted and unlimited ideas it allows
any Individual to develop a language to express what can not be explained. Magick in
its modern context is largely a question ov interpreting a subjective reality in
purely personal terms. This requires a personal subjective language. Yet if society
is to continue - have any meaning - then it is precisely this that must be
communicated. A subjective reality can not be expressed in terms ov common language,
but only as a personal experience. Thus thee only channel ov communication open to
us is to place our personal view within a common framework. This in essence is what
all communication is about. But most ov our present belief is based on distortion.
Our culture simply has not got thee necessary tools to cope with thee present
situation. Our cultural language is still based on thee rational universal world ov
thee past aeon. This will have to be swept aside before people can talk to each
other again.
The magickal number 23 is interwoven throughout T.O.P.Y. It is the point of focus,
to integrate, to dissolve. A time, a time for work, a date to complete a task 23
times is to see it move deep within the consciousness. A number that's history is
proven and potent, one that occurs internationally, irrationally and totally
naturally. Like the Psychick Cross, indeed like T.O.P.Y., 23 is the gateway, the
crossover point to internal focus and development and external flowering.
When there is no other way.
T.O.P.Y.
---------------------------------------------
~ Thoughts on The Temple ~
The Temple Ov Psychick Youth is a body of like-minded, ageless souls all
striving in an individual manner towards a collective goal: a guiltless state of
self-awareness.
The exploration of our innermost desires by the release of the sexual spirit, and
thus the freeing of our emotions of dogma and external control, is fundamental to
the process by which the Temple achieves its collective identity. The process is a
deeply personal voyage of discovery (the very fact of the emphasis of the individual
testifies to this), one in which the Temple acts as a guiding light, a processor of
information and its re-direction.
"No Man is an Island", and for this reason the Temple is both needed for
support in our battle, and as a focus for the support we ourselves can offer. Its
sum being greater than the parts, the Temple serves as a sounding board for ideas,
provoking thought which may under other circumstances never have been given the
right "culture" in which to form and grow. Thus the Temple is a growing, living
organism whose form is a result of the collection of "cells" within it, as in any
biological organism. The analogy with the natural world is of direct significance.
All life operates within a set environment or eco-system, but its very presence is
an integral part of that system. If any one species grows it is at the cost of
another, and if any "external force" is introduced the balance can be forever
altered with the possibility of collapse (eg: Rainforests). The Temple is such a
Page 29
 podsbos7
force, one which could ultimately over-turn the preconceived ideas of our Western
society. This may seem to many to be a fanciful argument, but to those who mock I
would say, "how small is a virus or cancer cell that can cause the collapse of
an organism."

We may be small, but we are growing to attack like a cancer from within!
We must stand together, we must fight!

~ On criticism of the Temple ~

How can you criticize an organisation which makes statements such as ". . . we
support your individuality", "we offer no dogma", and talks of "de-programming".
These are some of the most important statements mady by T.O.P.Y., and show the
principal aims of the Temple: the realisation of YOURSELF, which results in
SELFLESSNESS in the most positive way - no greed, no sex barriers, no age barriers,
no race barriers. . . .etc.

The ultimate goal of LOVE and escape from the prison of 20th Century
(especially western) ideas and values. DON'T WE ALL FEEL THE SAME? Thee
Temple gives no orders, it gives a method through books, records, states of mind to
a form of enlightenment. "You must understand 'til it hurts. The mind must be
stretched to include emotions, thoughts and points of view entirely foreign to the
narrow limits of our present life." (quote from "Zen" by Christmas Humphreys) To me,
the Temple is about THINKING and trying to spread this FREEDOM.
SEXUALITY: This I am only myself realising at the moment - NO GUILT. We
see it on T.V. every day: twisted sex values - TURN IT OFF! I can't find the right
words to use about my sigil experiences but I feel re-charged, focused, powerful,
aware.

THEE PSYCHICK CROSS: This to me forms a kind of focus (not in a fearful,

religious sense) and is a common ground and understandable sign to those
involved within T.O.P.Y.

23: This to me is Kammerer's Law of Seriality. The natural rhythms, patterns,

harmonies in all the universe. It is an expression of this belief of the unexplored
forces that act upon us.

---------------------------------------------

I can relate to what the Temple Ov Psychick Youth is trying to do because we are all
living in a world where chaos reigns. The Western World has been under the dogma of
religion, Catholic and Protestant, for the last five hundred years. And its
teachings, far removed from the original message, have beenused to control the
masses and to shape humanity's moral codes.

So today we have people wanting to have spiritual freedom, but who

because of the age-old brain washing of God and the Devil, and good and evil, find
it hard. Even worse, most people in our society have to unlearn and begin at thee
beginning about their relationship with life, the universe and everything in it; and
they generally start looking within themselves for their answers. I personally think
that Christianity is on its last legs, as its churches are full of middle-aged and
old people, but not young people. So there are many who are searching for spiritual
freedom, and a truer relationship with life. The Temple Ov Psychick Youth provides a
means and a way for people to break free and rise above the lie of society. Because
magick, witchcraft are keys that unlock many of life's closed doors, and enable
individuals to explore and develop themselves on all planes of life, from spiritual
to
physical.
Nothing in life is easy, and magick is not an escape. As with all life you have to
give of yourself to receive, and giving of yourself means a sacrifice of time and
Page 30
 podsbos7
effort which is a hard lesson for many an aspiring occultist. So through contact
with open groups like T.O.P.Y., individuals can meet other people with similar
ideals in life.
Obviously people will have to face moral principles such as sexual Magick (tantric
yoga) and other methods used in ritual magick to raise the power, but this is
something they learn naturally and not unnaturally as the rest of society still
thinks and believes. They have to learn that they themselves create or destroy what
life presents before them, not God or the Devil, and thus having learnt go forth
into a new world of gods. After all, evil is essentially misplaced energy
(unnatural). So things like sex, and all pleasurable activity so long as it be done
with free will, are healthy for us in life.
This last point is another reason why I agree with T.O.P.Y.'s ideals: because they
encourage people to be free within themselves, and to discover their own true wills.
As A/C puts it: Do What Thou Wilt Shall Be The Whole Of The Law.
Love Is The Law, Love Under Will.
---------------------------------------------
My interpretation of T.O.P.Y. is that of the propagation of unlimited
expression and potential. Also, that of the freeing of world technology and
communication from the restraints of generally restrictive, authoritarian
value-systems. The Temple, to me, has the potential to both examine and free the
latency of both physical and psychical potential.
I would like to take part in a world-deprogramming task, and experience the
worthiness of my own full powers, in all their comparitive spheres.

These thoughts encompass my attitudes towards sexuality (in both its drive and
visionary factors) and also my movement towards a cooperative
methodology.
---------------------------------------------
What is Thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth?
To me, ultimately a special state ov mind - the place where all dreams meet.
The place you know exists but are afraid to admit it. A secret place, timeless,
sexual, a magick place open to all. Have you never felt so alive, happy, sexual that
you want to live forever? Or are you lost, scared or just too pissed off to care.
T.O.P.Y. can help you find your real self and you can help T.O.P.Y. in the process.
By helping and caring and coummitment to T.O.P.Y. the same energy is given back.
Love is not a dirty word, helping people is not wrong. For society to change, people
must change. People must see what is happening all around them. People must be given
information about sigils, dreamachines, magick. People must be pro-sexual, have
respect and caring for everybody.
What is wrong with being happy, alive, caring? So reject money - I'm on 16K a year,
smart mate but who's interested. I'm a Man City fan - You're dead. (Fighting for a
football team, strange.) This jumper cost $60. (Very smart, but does it make you
really feel better inside.)
In these times ov one-upmanship why not join the ultimate game and play
for your life and make history as well.
---------------------------------------------
Thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth acts as a focal point, a sigil to thee Will. It can
provide thee FORM about which thee FUNCTION ov Thee SELF can be wrapped. Thee act ov
focusing releases tremendous energy which Thee Temple, as a concourse, forms into a
flow ov energy. As a concept it sparks off Individual activity and through thee
Image ov Thee SIGIL it channels that energy into a creative outburst.
Page 31
 podsbos7
As a free form with a continuous flow ov unrestricted and unlimited ideas it allows
any Individual to develop a language to express what can not be explained. Magick in
its modern context is largely a question ov interpreting a subjective reality in
purely personal terms. This requires a personal subjective language. Yet if society
is to continue - have any meaning - then it is precisely this that must be
communicated. A subjective reality can not be expressed in terms ov common language,
but only as a personal experience. Thus thee only channel ov communication open to
us is to place our personal view within a common framework. This in essence is what
all communication is about. But most ov our present belief is based on distortion.
Our culture simply has not got thee necessary tools to cope with thee present
situation. Our cultural language is still based on thee rational universal world ov
thee past aeon. This will have to be swept aside before people can talk to each
other again.

Thee Temple as a focal point without a fixed system ov values begins Thee Process.
It provides a channel through which thee Individual can view his/her circumstances
from their own perspective. It sweeps past thee outmoded views ov mass philosophy.
Most importantly, by mutual
encouragement, Thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth gives me thee courage to
accept and trust my own view.
---------------------------------------------
Its aims on human freedom and independence
To inspiration individuality
Freedom in any dreams, in any wisches
Sexuality with no limitations so long as it is yours
sexuality to make you free of any restrictions
sexuality & Love the most successful drivepower for any dream & wisch
Love the power of all powers.
Methods of magic and philosophy from many individuals Psycho-levels of the brain to
help you in higher atomosphere's Methods from magic to create your perfect
atmosphere and to get closer to that one self
Methods look sometimes bizzare but are the ones who understand there are
no limitations, when you wanne reach exstacy-freedom OV 23 - That moment, that day,
that dream, that wisch, that freedom It all can come true, OV 23 is one of those
methods Lots of thoughts are feelings which are not easy to explain May be when I
have to represent a year later it might be totally different, I learn every day more
and more, it will take lives.
-----------------------------------
Thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth is important because it is ACTIVE and
CARING. It intends to nudge people into an understanding of themselves,
into RESPECT for themselves. To Love themselves and their lives. It intends to spur
people into doing coumthing with their lives, being ACTIVE. It gives people back to
themselves along with the realisation that they CAN get what they really deeply want
and need. Their desires can be made real. All it takes is effort and discipline.
For a few years now I have felt a deep hunger and frustration. There has
been a large gap in my life. It took me awhile to realise what this gap was. A deep
spiritual lack. There has never been any talk ov or involvment with anything
remotely spiritual during the whole of my twenty years of existence. During Primary
School it was required of the whole class to stand up in thee mornings and say thee
Lords Prayer. I never ever believed in it. It seemed totally absurd to me even
then, I don't really know why, but I never believed in "God". For seven years I
stood up and mouthed thee words of thee prayer. When I left at the age of 12, if
anyone asked me to recite thee words ov thee Lords Prayer I couldn't do it!
Seriously. I had never learned it and had wilfully blocked it out. I objected out
loud of course, oh no, that would result in the belt. Little boys who don't say
Page 32
 podsbos7
their prayers get pain as a reward. It wasn't until I was about 19 that I found what
I thought/think might be thee answers. I have always been interested in thee
unusual. In everything. People. Books. Music. Art. Thee "Chaos ov thee Normal", thee
"Moronic Inferno". Fashion has never interested me. During childhood I read mostly
science fiction. Then came a period ov flux, ov
wandering, where I no longer was deeply "into" Sci-fi as before, but couldn't find
anything else. That was when I decided to buy "A William Burroughs Reader" having
heard him mentioned in numerous articles in thee muzak press. Pages of wonderous
images, surreal images, new ideas, new methods. This replenished my lust for thee
innovative.
I used to go to an "Adult Training Centre" at night to help out at a kind of social
gathering of handicapped people. There was a small record player, and a box of
records. Sidney Devine, Elvis, Nana Mouscouri, country and western, thee muzak ov my
nightmares! Tucked neatly in between two of these wreckords was an unimposing little
single. It was Just Drifting and was by Psychic TV. I asked if I could have it as I
wondered what they were like, having read reviews in thee press. As one of our
records had disappeared they said "Yes". That was how I discovered PTV. It was a few
years before I made enquiries into thee Temple. This was made at thee same time as I
found a possible solution to my problem. I read a book called "Mysteries" by Colin
Wilson. It was thee most amazing book I had ever read. A whole new universe ov
possibilities opened up to me. I immediately developed a deep hunger for knowledge.
Not everyday knowledge. Knowledge ov this strange new world. I went to thee library
and read every occult book I could find. A Whole new worlds of meaning opened up.

Thee Temple seemed like an honest organisation. Not a brainwashing cult.

An "anti-cult". I didn't know (and still don't) just how much knowledge it
possessed. To make "the occult" a part of everyone's everyday lives, now that was an
interesting idea. A very good idea. An essential idea. Ideas into action. Kick start
evolution again.
To destroy tyranny and oppression. To bring joy back to living once more. Love.
Responsibility for actions. Interaction between Individuals again, instead ov this
total isolation that is becoming a hallmark ov thee twentieth century.

Sex. To free sex from all fetters. To throw off guilt and all restrictions to
pleasure. To make sex pure again. Between two Individuals. Not thee ignorant sexist,
totally damaging view of a man fucking a woman. Sex involves two people. Two active
people (who may be active in their
passivity). To reclaim sexuality as our own. To be shared with who we
choose, however we choose. Thee magick ov sex. Thee new sexuality. To
choose ourSelves.
Thee Psychick Cross. Thee cross is thee union of opposites (0=2). Thee top half has
thee Christian Cross, thee bottom half has thee anti-Christian or Satanic Cross.
Thee middle branch ties them together. Thee top half mirrors thee bottom. As above
so below. It is thee anti-Papal Cross since thee middle branch is shorter than thee
outer two, thee opposite of thee Papal. It is a television aerial. It receives and
transmits information from and to every area ov life. Thee centre of thee
Information War. It is a focus for knowledge and understanding. It is also thee face
of thee Temple. Thee central line ov thee face along which is arranged thee line of
thee eyes at top, nose middle, and mouth bottom. Thee three branches are mind, body,
and spirit. There are three crosses in thee Psychick Cross, not two.
23, in Crowley's system, is Water. Thee essential element ov life. Thee great sea ov
thee subconscious. Thee element that is always in flux, forever changing. Change is
stability. Water has three states (branches on thee cross?). Water is the body and
the mind. Just as the moon affects the sea so does it affect mind and body. The
brain is something like 80% water after all. 23 is a mystery. It's just a number.
It's just the number ov rays from Sirius, The Sun behind the Sun. Thee star of thee
Dogon, those marvellous people. Thee symbol of Sirius is pretty close to thee cross.
23 is synchronicity and recognition:
Page 33
 podsbos7
2+3=5 2x3 = 6 2/3 = .666
---------------------------------------------
Trying to explain my reason for my involvement with T.O.P.Y. is hard, but to say I
am searching for my inner strengths and weaknesses is as good a one as any. To me
T.O.P.Y. is doing more for thee couming together ov people than any thing I know.
They encourage thee sharing ov ideas which to me is an important factor in knocking
down life's walls.
To ask me thee meaning behind their aims, ideas, sexuality, methods, thee meaning ov
thee Psychick Cross, ov 23 would be an injustice to T.O.P.Y. Their aim I believe to
be more wakefulness in society, for people to open up their eyes and see for
themselves. Their ideas revolve around Pagan philosophy and thee arts ov Magick
which in a way takes on all aspects ov Life. Methods are thee same in all new
conceptions and must be used to get thee message across. Sexuality is a beautiful
thing and should be treated in thee same way, free love must be forever in our
souls. Thee Psychick Cross is a symbol to symbolise all aspects ov T.O.P.Y. ideals,
they must be put up everywhere. Ov 23 I am stuck with no true conclusion as to thee
proper idea/ideas behind it, but to me it stands out and crops up in thee weirdest
ov situations and it is a JOY to see it anywhere.
T.O.P.Y. is an inner door, a device for breaking down mental walls. T.O.P.Y. can be
pleasure with thee pain, thee garden ov eden and you are Adam or Eve. Open thee eye
to T.O.P.Y. and experience everything before it is too late.
---------------------------------------------
I feel no need to justify my interest or my sympathy. Those who reject
T.O.P.Y. reject themselves - and few want to face the truth. Each individual must
decide their own course, and as no-one is the same, so no course is the same.
Everyone responds and rejects or accepts according to their own thoughts and
feelings.
T.O.P.Y. offers an alternative to mass control, depersonalisation and guilt. Those
who choose this path will never find it easy - prejudice and jealousy will see to
that, as very few people have the courage to be themselves and those that do are
often hated for it. For not conforming. For not being "one of us".

T.O.P.Y. aims to make each individual free of the mental shackles and
spiritual bonds placed on us since birth. To question the unquestioning mind and to
heal the wound of separation withing us. For no-one is whole when psyche, mind and
body work in discord. The Psychick Cross is a symbol of this unity - a tangible
representation of 23 - two threes back to back, joined, whole, a perfect harmony
visually and psychically, to be used as a focal point for energy, a comforter
emotionally and a reminder of the potential within us. A potential T.O.P.Y. can help
us to achieve.
The thing I can give most readily is my love. My love of Life and its unifying
energy and of all living things. My love of humanity and all that these destructive
creatures have produced that is creative. My love of my ideal that I have cherished
and nurtured all my life - that finally humankind will see and feel all that is
within me is within all life and therefore that all life is within me.

---------------------------------------------
The nation, the world is in a trap. The poor are getting poorer, and the rich,
richer. Our environment is collapsing in upon ourselves because of what we are
doing. An example: it is legal to corrode the ozone layer (by use of aerosols, etc.)
and thereby harm everyone, yet illegal to smoke marijuana, and harm no-one. We need
change, revolution - and T.O.P.Y. is that. The ideas of it being an insane death
cult are a misconception. We are help, perhaps the only help and friend, not an
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enemy. So open your eyes.

Once upon a time. . . .

. . . . I first spurred interest in T.O.P.Y. with the listening of Dreams Less

Sweet. After I proceeded to lose that tape to a young lady, I decided to find out
more about the sound and reasons of T.O.P.Y. I purchased the live records series,
which has proven to be a source of great enjoyment. And I try to forward the ideas
of T.O.P.Y. with messages on the dorm door, and I try to play a few songs when I dj
at the campus radio station.

What I rather liked about T.O.P.Y. was that there was no forcing of ideals on myself
the listener. There are, I will not hold back, a few ideals I do not in self
practice, because they do not appeal to me, but I will not condescend because
someone else may. For the book, I do not experiment with drugs, have sex, or
denounce strongly non-pagan religions. Persons may say that I have not lived, but
that is someone else's idea of living. If and when I wish to try something, I shall,
but until then I am content with myself. I guess the point is that it is a choice,
and one must not necessarily make certain choices to be involved with T.O.P.Y.
The problem, well wait. Let us stay with that prior thought, about choices, just for
a minute. You may have noticed I don't spell certain words the way T.O.P.Y. does;
again I do not feel that is important for me to reflect that thought to be
considered involved with T.O.P.Y. Anyway, as I was writing, the problem is I am
afraid that I may not be able to be as active as I wish in T.O.P.Y. with my
schooling, because education is very important to me. So, what I guess I am getting
at, is that I will do my best to do what I can. I can only hope that does not sound
too "wishy-washy". So, I am, will, try to do my most.

How would I explain T.O.P.Y. to a stranger? Simply, a group, tribe of persons who
are looking ahead, with little recourse to beliefs or principles that have been
embedded, sometimes unwillingly, into society. An aim of reversal, getting people to
quit taking for granted what surrounds them, and having them realize they have
control of their life, and to use themselves to their potential.
Why do I feel T.O.P.Y. is important? Because it serves as a meeting center for those
persons who already know what they feel to get stronger
centralisation and organisation, and make themselves and their ideas more available
to others. It's got a lot to do with the concept of awareness.
I guess aims and ideas have been taken care of. Sexuality, again, is an
awareness, realizing how present it is, and how it can be made into
something more wonderful than expected or known.

The Psychick Cross has so much behind it that it is rather hard to sum up its
meaning, besides representing a receptor for thought processes. Also, I just rather
thought that it could also be seen as a christian cross overlapped by a satanic
(inverted christian) cross, and a bar in the middle to cancel the two out, which
would go along with the theory of bowing to no god.

23 is something I cannot comment too intelligently on, since I have not the amount
of information necessary. I have heard, however, that it is the number of confusion,
and actually, I myself have not much more of a view on it. . .yet.

Other resources of my self-determination, defining ideas clearly, patience, art

skills (with both pen and words), and desire to communicate.
---------------------------------------------

Explanation of T.O.P.Y. to a Stranger:

I found this question difficult to answer as I do not know enough about

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T.O.P.Y. People have asked me what it is, so I told them that it is an
information network and to contact T.O.P.Y. if interested. However, when
pressured I inform them of as much as I can, expanding on the ideas that I know, and
state that thee network runs all over thee country and that
depending on an individuals involvement information is available to them; that it is
up to thee individual, if they want, to becoum involved and that one is not
pressured into it.
To justify my involvement I would say that T.O.P.Y. has thee same or similar beliefs
to those I have always held, but from which I had switched off as it was not "right"
in thee conditioned world.
---------------------------------------------
On T.O.P.Y.
I have played PTV &/or T.O.P.Y. material for many friends, so I am often
asked about T.O.P.Y.
I tailor the answer to the questioner, telling no more than I think they can follow
at the time. Sometimes I describe PTV as a loose aggregate of people working with
music and video. I may explain that they are part of a larger organisation which
seeks to support people whose aims and interests are outside the mainstream.
To people I trust I explain more. That T.O.P.Y. is a network of people with some
similarities and some differences, held together by a desire to understand and
short-circuit control. To explore ways to make what they want to happen, happen.
That T.O.P.Y. encourages people to find out their true natures, not a shallow and
generic, dictated and advertised "identity".
One method is to exploit the cut-up, both on other material and
behaviourally as well. We constantly run on habit, and it is good to break this up.
Do you see friend X because you really want to? Or because it's what you always do
on Thursday night? A simple but pertinent example.
Burroughs has been quoted as saying there was nothing special about 23,
just that it was something he noticed and then kept noticing. I see it partly as a
symbol of focus. That there is so much around that we screen out daily, if we pick
something not to screen out it will seem omnipresent. I also like the idea of it as
a sort of mischievous number, popping up with a will of its own where it has no
statistical right. And each time it pops up itself it reminds me of my psychic
heritage that I am reclaiming for myself.
I see no particular sexual style that is representative of T.O.P.Y. It is more an
aspect of sex itself, that of the power (indeed - OV Power) it contains. A power
that can be frustrated by a denial of desire; dissipated by investing it in removed,
marketed images; or directed by self-understanding and a ritual method. Since the
sex drive is so basic, and since social repression functions here as much or more
than anywhere else, sexual magick is a most powerful and empowering technique.

The particular interpretations of 23 and the Psychick Cross are not as

interesting or important to me as the fact that there are many
interpretations.
If a cynic - journalist or otherwise - is asking me about T.O.P.Y., I believe it is
important not to try too much to defend or to try to convince the person that
there's nothing horrid about us. I will, however, try to dispel any basic
misconceptions. I have found that so much of what I take for granted is alien to
many people that I cannot explain parts of it. As I've noted, it took me a while to
understand so many foreign thoughts at once. If pressed by anyone who is obviously
hostile to and/or threatened by the ideas, I say "Well, I'm convinced of it, it
works for me, and I'm happy." I do not try to "convert"
them. If they are unaccepting of it, I give them some things to read, and T.O.P.Y.'s
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address.
---------------------------------------------
T.O.P.Y. is an international network system, a kind of organisation that brings in
touch people who share ideas and feel free to do whatever they like, as strange as
it may be. That's the reason why T.O.P.Y. is important. In times of loneliness,
T.O.P.Y. tries to bring people in touch, tries to bring back the lost innocence, the
correspondence among people. T.O.P.Y. hates everything and everyone who tries to
limit its freedom. T.O.P.Y. offers a method of living to better survive as a True
Being, and as an Individual, and not as part of the maze. Individuality is expressed
as Spirit and Will. "Love Under Will" is the meaning. To manage it, T.O.P.Y. edits
books, records, video tapes. T.O.P.Y. requires belief in Magick and modern Paganism,
and recognises the power of the human brain.
The Psychick Cross means to me: Brain (upper bar); Heart (middle bar); Prick - as
the home of souls (lower bar). It means the Individual itself, with its three
psychic powers: Brain = dreams, fantasy, cleverness; Heart = L.OV.E.; Prick = soul =
the power that motivates all the above.
The meaning of 23 is a mystic one, and people can only understand it after long
thought about T.O.P.Y.
---------------------------------------------
T.O.P.Y. is very important to thee continued growth of psychic awareness in thee
world. We have progressed physically as far as we can. Thee next stage is mental.
T.O.P.Y. offers a series of mental training exercises: awareness (especially ov
yourself) is thee goal.
There is no obligation, as thee Temple is you. Thee aims are immense. Education,
realisation, principally. Thee Temple can be anything you need from it. 23 is thee
pure number, completely random, a prime number. Thee Cross: a reflection of thee
ego, a place to focus energy and a simple, comfortable symbol representing a new
strength in thee world.
---------------------------------------------
Thee Justification ov T.O.P.Y.
Last night me and some members ov T.O.P.Y.S.T.E.E.L engaged thee "JESUS
ARMY" in verbal confrontation. It was in some ways an awakening
experience. It was also an experience which demonstrates thee necessity for
T.O.P.Y., PaganLink, O.T.O., etc.
To be confronted with thee organised inculcation of GUILT, FEAR and
LOATHING in militaristic form demonstrated the need for L.O.V.E.
organisations to provide the keys to self-(de)-programming.

To be confronted with INTOLERANCE and PSYCHIC VAMPIRISM showed the

horrible fate awaiting us if our society/thee earth is taken over by thee forces of
PERSONAL LIMITATION.
T.O.P.Y. provides a decentralised set of forums for individuals who wish to escape
our conditioned guilt and fear responses. It provides outline methods for
individuals who wish to acquire self expression, self love, self discipline.
T.O.P.Y. is a will/energy focus. It's LOVE transmitting on all frequencies. True
sexuality is a timeless moment of orgone mutation, thee event where thee
subconscious becomes all thee planes, thee times, where it becomes an identity with
thee conscious worlds. Liberation is only a heartbeat away.

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Thee Psychick Cross = pagan Cross. Sexual unions. Tree of Life, qabballahs. Thee
planes, all in one. Thee sigil of Temple workings, immanent in this cross, every
working ever done before or in thee future, happening now. Thee sigil ov no name,
thee blank sheet for our experiences and desires to write upon.

23: No-one has ever satisfactorily explained to me how or why a computer

works. But I use one almost every day, and computers always touch my life.
Similarly, 23 has not been totally explained to me, even in numerological terms. Not
fully anyway. Thee fact remains that 23 seems to have some kind ov recurrent
activity, in my experience. That does not mean it will necessarilty be a feature of
your experienced universe...
23 attaches itself in its various guises (32, 223, 123, 0-23, etc.) to things I j-
and many other YOUTH - are involved with. 23 seems to be a sign of recurrent
activity in thee universe, ov unifying themes.
---------------------------------------------
Justification of T.O.P.Y. to a cynical interviewer:
As rationality has failed to create a new mankind there are other methods to be
found of changing minds. The will must come from individuals, who, to reach their
aims, gather in a group.
Through the moral conditioning in childhood, school, military and the general
influence of language, media and moral systems, men are totally controlled. They
control each other, oftenj without even knowing it. The wishes, dreams of the body
and subconsciousness are ignored and the subject, so long as there is one, is
conditioned to ignore it too. Only functionality is important.

Life is shortened to operational functions to serve society. It is degraded to a

servant. As I feel unsatisfied by this, I need to escape from this control and want
to destroy it. I like to experiment with other aspects of life. In this case,
sexuality is an important factor because it gives the individual a total conscience
of its own existence. It may help to find the inner self and break pre-formations. I
like sexuality. In orgasm, you cross the border. In orgasm you die. Your coming back
from another cone of reality after it. The coming to climax is a way to
ego-destruction.
---------------------------------------------
People are suppressed and conditioned by the socialisation processes of our
"society" - education, media, and the family - to believe in certain attitudes and
to behave in certain ways.
What has happened to individuality and the personality?
People should be taught to develop their own-selves and their own
personalities - To learn about instinct, nature, consciousness and further heights
of awareness, WHICH HAVE NEVER BEEN PUSHED FROM OUR MINDS.
The human mind is suppressed not to generate its "unacceptable" powers.
Meditation, creative visualisation, and MAGICK are important tools which
may be used to help bring out our true selves.
Sexuality is condemned from an early age. Society as a whole condemns
sexuality.
It is a beautiful experience - and can prove to be a very powerful and
magickal act - generating immense emotion and feeling.
The idea of PLEASURE AND PAIN is fundamental to the understanding and
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experiences of people. Sex can exist within both concepts.
People should learn not to be ashamed of their sexuality, and sexually, to share
experiences with other individuals.

UNDERSTANDING, DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNICATION.

OUR AIM IS WAKEFULNESS.

OUR ENEMY IS DREAMLESS SLEEP

---------------------------------------------

Involvement with T.O.P.Y. means that I have broken away from the social
graces forced upon me by society. I am finding out what I really enjoy to do, with
my mental/physical attributes. I am learning to reach further than before, to grasp
the things that were previously beyond my reach.

T.O.P.Y. is a collective of individuals who, in a way, do not want to be part of any

group/social type. This is not as hypocritical as it sounds, because each individual
within T.O.P.Y. is going his/her own way, each with differing goals, concepts of
life.

T.O.P.Y. is important because it gives the individuals within a confidence that

others are trying to struggle against society. T.O.P.Y. members feel as though they
are not the only ones with a different point of view. It gives the individual
strength to succeed.

T.O.P.Y.'s aim is to help individuals attain their highest dreams, and to help them
accomplish their works and wishes in life.

---------------------------------------------

T.O.P.Y. allows thee individual a chance to know him/her self. I am not sure if I
would be able to explain T.O.P.Y. to a stranger. Recently I was talking to a friend
who told me she no longer wanted to be my friend because I was involving myself with
T.O.P.Y. She does not believe in anything. Her point is that I would no longer be me
and that I didn't need T.O.P.Y.'s ideas to help me with my problems, that in time
everything works out in itself.

I disagreed with her argument, trying to explain that T.O.P.Y. would help me with
the goals that I want to obtain in my life, and that in the past not all my problems
have worked out by themself.

T.O.P.Y. asks for the individual to be clear in admitting their real desires by
discarding all irrelevancies and by asking yourself what do you really want out ov
life. The argument with my friend allowed me to see that we were no longer friends
and perhaps we never really were. How could we have been friends when she would not
allow me to be anymore than I already was nor anything else that I could be.
T.O.P.Y. is not there to be occult. But a lot ov people have that
misunderstanding. People will always condemn the thoughts and actions ov another.
There is someone who I am deeply interested in, who spoke ov tribal living and the
ideas ov T.O.P.Y. At that time I had no idea what he was talking about and the
shyness that we both have makes it almost impossible to talk to each other. We are
barely able to smile and say hello, and I believe thru the Psychick process we will
be able to speak again. I will overcome the shyness that keeps me within myself and
keeps me from having what I really want from life.

T.O.P.Y.'s ideas are for everyone who wants to wake up fromthe dreamless
world that we are living in. It's for the individual who asks themself what they
want from life, and the rituals are there to make those thoughts happen.

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"Awareness ov your own energy is the awareness that flesh and spirit are
one, that thou art goddess, eternally linked, connected, at one with the
moving spirit ov all" (Starhawk 138)
T.O.P.Y. is there for thee individual who makes the coumitment to become
aware ov thee energy that is inside us all. . .
---------------------------------------------
Magic has interested me from an early age - but I didn't have the best
informed beginning. I used to try telekinesis, telepathy, astral projection,even
levitation, all with varying degree of complete failure. I had no concentration or
confidence, and a very impatient streak. The things I tried to do were very nice
"tricks" but many of them are no longer goals of mine. I see no reason now to
attempt things for which I had little aptitude, solely to impress others and build
up my own social standing. People are so cynical now, and maybe some of it has
rubbed off on me.
The Temple has shown me a practical side to magick which makes no
pretensions, I don't expect to be able to force the hand of chance with
minimum effort and concentration and nothing to inform me but a half-read Aquarian
Press book. In my future sigil work I shall aim to overcome some of my less
attractive tendencies, and build on my natural talents and abilities. My ideal
target will be a perfect self and not a material manipulator. Maybe people should
expect miracles because I think if you believe in something enough then you are
halfway to having it, just as long as it's within and not without yourself.
I don't feel that I need to justify my involvement with anything, to anyone. People
have an instant dislike and fear of things they don't understand, but worse than
this, an aversion to information which could disrupt their secure, boring,
featureless lives. To me, many of these people are lost causes, I would prefer that
they knew nothing of what I choose to do with my life - which is too precious to
spend arguing with people who will never see sense for the simple reason that they
don't want to. This may seem a selfish attitude, but the example of Susan Bishop is
enough to put me off talking to journalists, and Christians, for life. Let them
remain ignorant and happy, they will never change.
---------------------------------------------
People like to control you. They want power and they achieve it. These
thieves are smart and they work off people's insecurities. CONTROL means
dictating how others should live and how to think. If you are afraid of
making these decisions for yourself (because of fear of failure, lack of
self-confidence, fear of death, and definitely laziness) then it is easy to
associate yourself with, and follow someone strong enough to make decisions for you.
You are no longer responsible for yourself and no longer have the burden or that
responsibility. It is easier to identify oneself with an already developed
personality (hero/heroine) than go through the never ending struggle of
self-discovery. The insecure robbers who feed off our weaknesses are the ones most
people tend to trust: our rabbis and priests who control through strict regulations
and traditions, our school teachers who take advantage of
the innocence and naivety of young children by presenting themselves and
their ideas as manifestations of god, and our media which depicts THE
acceptable lifestyle through slanted manipulations. These thieves are aware of your
trust and innocence, and intend on using those weaknesses to control you.
The Temple Ov Psychick Youth is an organisation aimed at DE-control. They do not
wish to control you; they wish to liberate themselves. They offer suggestions on how
you COULD liberate yourself, not how you SHOULD
liberate yourself. The process of liberation consists of many types of
research, such as the music group PTV. Members of the Temple feel that
there is no reason why life should not be "lived to the fullest" where all one's
NEEDS and DESIRES are fulfilled. Because there are so many distractions to divert
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one's attention from one's goals, symbols are invented to be worn, to be drawn,
etc., to constantly remind, if not the conscious, then the unconscious, of these
goals. Ideally, through this process laziness is combatted and the goals will more
likely be achieved since those goals are constantly on the person's mind. Because
there are so many distractions and limitations posed by the "controllers", sometimes
our deepest wants do not seem earthly possible, and we repress them in our
subconscious (a step towards neurosis) trying to dismiss them. The Temple does not
believe in repressing our needs and desires (submitting to those "controllers"),
because our personal needs are what make us human and individual.

The Psychick Cross is the symbol of the "whole" person, uncovering one's
unconsciously hidden desires and obtaining them. The unconscious speaks
most loudly in our dreams and our fantasies. When we fantasize, our desires usually
take place in Utopian settings, and represent these goals by creating collages
including parts of our physical body to personalise the symbol of our goal even
more. This symbol reminds us over and over again that this is thee want, this is
thee self. Temple members using this process end up understanding their needs and
desires better, are more able to satisfy themselves and succeed in life.
I personally enjoy making decisions and discoveries on my own. I will not allow
anyone to take that joy away from me. I enjoy my intelligence, my talents, and
discovering myself using the symbolic rituals suggested by the Temple Ov Psychick
Youth. T.O.P.Y. is an important organisation because: 1) it shows people they are
not alone in the struggle, and 2) it allows people to exchange views, ideas, and
solutions to better these processes to liberate and satiate the individual self.
"What is Paganism"
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The following is the text from a brochure that BAPA puts out called
"What is Paganism" (author unknown)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"WHAT IS PAGANISM?

"History of Paganism
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The term Pagan has numerous common definitions. Many dictionaries
define a Pagan as anyone not of the Judeo-Islamic-Christian religions.
Some people consider anyone who does not share their religion to be a
Pagan. Still others believe that a Pagan is a person who is
anti-religion. None of these "definitions" manage to capture the true
meaning of the term.
"To discover the core meaning of Pagan, we look back to ancient times
when the word Pagan referred to a person of the country, or a peasant.
{deletia... in summary, several paragraphs relating the history of the
Catholic Church and the poor peasants' inability to relate. Brief
description of the "glory of the Goddess and God in each starry night"
and note of the inconsistancies of the original Pagan beliefs with the
Catholic church. Also, several paragraphs detailing the development of
of the Church's campaign to expunge Paganism, some of the methods
employed and the subsequent Witch Hunts. Finally, an overall summary of
the persecution. If interested, let me know and I'll post it
separately.}
"Paganism in Modern Times
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Today, little is known about the Pagans who survived what is now often
called "The Burning Times." Paganism, as it exists today, is best
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described as the practice of any of a number of nature-based religions,
traditions that find their roots all over the world. {Liana- sound
familiar?} Many modern Pagans call themselves "Neo-Pagans" to declare
their religion as a revival of the old beliefs.

{more deletia... in summary, two paragraphs comparing contemporary

Pagans to the peasants of old, extolling our intelligence and
involvement in technology. Also a paragraph defusing the Satanism
comparison. Again, if interested, let me know and I'll post it.}

"What do Modern Pagans Believe?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Paganism is actually a large umbrella containing a number of
nature-based religions beneath it, from the European-originated Wicca
and Druidism, to African Yoruba traditions and Hawaiian Huna. As a
result of this diversity, it is impossible to make statements about the
beliefs of Pagans that will apply to *all* {italics} Pagans. However,
some statements can be made that will, in general, apply to a vast
number of Pagans.

"Many Pagans tend to:

"* Be polytheists, believing in more than one deity or more than
one aspect of a single deity.
"* Be pantheists, seeing the God/Goddess force represented in everything
around them.
"* Recognize the divinity of the feminine as well as the masculine, not
seeing masculinity as a superior force.
"* Believe that the life force is sacred, and that nature, as a vital
representation of that force, is divine.
"* Believe that all life forms are equal, sharing an equal claim to the
earth as a home.
"* Believe that each individual is solely responsible for his or her
actions.
"* Believe that the forces of nature can be shaped in ways commonly
called "magical."
"* Believe that magical acts designed to bend one to another's will are
manipulative, and not encouraged.
"* Believe that whatever actions a person takes, magical or mundane,
good or bad, come back to him/her, sometimes threefold.
"* Believe that there is no single path to spiritual fulfillment, and
that the individual must determine the spiritual expression most
appropriate to him or her.
"* Believe in reincarnation, or some form of life after death.
"How do Pagans Practice Their Religion?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Many Pagans find spiritual expression through the practice of ritual,

or religious ceremony. These rituals, often held at significant points
in lunar or solar cycles, offer an opportunity for Pagans to commune
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with the godeesses and Gods, to celebrate the passages of life, and to
work magic.
{deletia... in summary, paragraphs relating techniques to "raise power"
explaining that we don't espouse "power over" (my words). Also outlines
goals that many pagans have in mine when raising of power. Outlines the
sabbats, and relates the pattern of the seasons. Briefly describes
Beltane and Samhain. Once again, let me know if you would like to see
this text.}
"Each Pagan religion has its own special way of recognizing the passing
of the seasons and personal life passages. Ritual offers a way to imbue
these moments with magic and reverence.
{deletia... last paragraph giving information on how the reader can
learn more about Paganism, specifically in the Bay Area, and relating
the goal that BAPA has in mind.}

PRINCIPIA DISCORDIA
* or *
How I Found Goddess
And What I Did To Her
When I Found Her

THE MAGNUM OPIATE OF MALACLYPSE THE YOUNGER

Wherein Is Explained
Absolutely Everything Worth Knowing
About Absolutely Anything

Published By:
LOOMPANICS UNLIMITED
PO BOX 1197
Port Townsend, WA 98368
$5.00(cheap)
Catalogs:$2.00
Transcribed to 1's and 0's by Druel the Chaotic, WPI Discordian Society
Cabal of the Unemployed
mpython@gnu.ai.mit.edu
{calendar entered by /AHM/THX }
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
INTRODUCTION
You hold in your hands one the Great Books of our century fnord.
Some Great Books are recognized at once with a fusilade of critical huzzahs
and gonfolons, like Joyce's ULYSSES. Others appear almost furtively and are only
discovered 50 years later, like MOBY DICK or Mendel's great essay on genetics. The
PRINCIPIA DISCORDIA entered our space-time continuum almost as unobtrusively as a
cat-burglar creeping over a windowsill.
In 1968, virtually nobody had heard of this wonderful book. In
1970,hundreds of people coast to coast were talking about it and asking the identity
of the mysterious author, Malaclypse the Younger. Rumors swept across the continent,
from New York to Los Angeles, from Seattle to St. Joe. Malaclypse was actually Alan
Watts, one heard. No,said another legend -- the PRINCIPIA was actually the work of
the Sufi Order. A third, very intriguing myth held that Malaclypse was a pen-name
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for Richard M. Nixon, who had allegedly composed the PRINCIPIA during a few moments
of lucidity. I enjoyed each of these yarns and did my part to help spread them. I
was also careful never to contradict the occasional rumors that I had actually
written the whole thing myself during an acid trip.

The legendry, the mystery, the cult grew slowly. By the mid-1970's,
thousands of people, some as far off as Hong Kong and Australia, were talking about
the PRINCIPIA, and since the original was out of print by then, xerox copies were
beginning to circulate here and there.

When the ILLUMINATUS trilogy appeared in 1975, my co-author, Bob

Shea, and I both received hundreds of letters from people intrigued by the quotes
from the PRINCIPIA with which we had decorated the heads of several chapters. Many,
who had already heard of the PRINCIPIA or seen copies, asked if Shea and I had
written it, or if we had copies available. Others wrote to ask if it were real, or
just something we had invented the way H.P. Lovecraft invented the NECRONOMICON. We
answered according to our moods, sometimes telling the truth, sometimes spreading
the most Godawful lies and myths we could devise fnord.

Why not? We felt that this book was a true Classic (literatus
immortalis) and, since the alleged intelligentsia had not yet
discovered it, the best way to keep its legend alive was to encourage
the mythology and the controversy about it. Increasingly, people wrote
to ask me if Timothy Leary had written it, and I almost always told
them he had, except on Fridays whem I am more whimsical, in which case
I told them it had been transmitted by a canine intellgence --
vast,cool,and unsympathic -- from the Dog Star, Sirius.
Now, at last, the truth can be told.
Actually, the PRINCIPIA is the work of a time-travelling
anthropologist from the 23rd Century. He is currently passing among us
as a computer specialist, bon vivant and philosopher named Gregory
Hill. He has also translated several volumes of Etruscan erotic
poetry, under another pen-name, and in the 18th Century was the
mysterious Man in Black who gave Jefferson the design for the Great
Seal of the United States.
I have it on good authority that he is one of the most
accomplished time-travelers in the galaxy and has visited Earth many
times in the past,using such cover-identities as Zeno of Elias,
Emperor Norton, Count Cagliostro, Guilliame of Aquaitaine, etc.
Whenever I question him about this, he grows very evasive and attempts
to persuade me that he is actually just another 20th Century Earthman
and that all my ideas about his extraterrrestrial and extratemporal
origin and delusions. Hah! I am not that easily deceived. After all, a
time-travelling anthropologist would say just that, so that he could
observe us without his presense causing cultureshock.
I understand that he has consented to write an Afterward to this edition.
He'll probably contradict everything I've told you, but don't believe a word he says
fnord. He is a master of the deadpan put-on, the plausible satire, the philosophical
leg-pull and all the branches of guerilla ontology.
For full benefit to the Head, this book should be read in conjunction with
THE ILLUMINOIDS by Neal Wilgus (Sun Press, Albuquerque, NM) and ZEN WITHOUT ZEN
MASTERS by Camden Benares (And/Or Press, Berkeley, California). "We are operating on
many levels here", as Ken Kesey used to say.
In conclusion, there is no conclusion. Things go on as they always have,
getting weirder all the time.

Hail Eris. All hail Discordia. Fnord?

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-Robert Anton Wilson
International Arms and Hashish Inc.
Darra Bazar, Kohat

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A jug of wine,

A leg of lamb
And thou!
Beside me,
Whistling in
the darkness.

Be Ye Not Lost Among Precepts of Order...

- The Book of Uterus 1;5

Some excerpts from an interview with Malaclypse the Younger by THE

GREATER METROPOLITAN YORBA LINDA HERALD-NEWS-SUN-TRIBUNE-JOURNAL-DISPATCH-POST AND
SAN FRANCISCO DISCORDIAN SOCIETY CABAL BULLETIN AND INTERGALACTIC REPORT & POPE
POOP.
GREATER POOP:Are you really serious or what?
MAL-2: Sometimes I take humor seriously. Sometimes I take seriousness
humorously. Either way it is irrelevant.
GP: Maybe you are just crazy.
M2: Indeed! But do not reject these teaching as false because I am crazy. The reason
that I am crazy is because they are true.

GP: Is Eris true?

M2: Everything is true.
GP: Even false things?
M2: Even false things are true.
GP: How can that be?
M2: I don't know man, I didn't do it.
GP: Why do you deal with so many negatives?
M2: To dissolve them.
GP: Will you develop that point?
M2: No.
GP: Is there an essential meaning behind POEE?
M2: There is a Zen Story about a student who asked a Master to explain the
meaning of Buddhism. The Master's reply was "Three pounds of flax."
GP: Is that the answer to my question?
M2: No, of course not. That is just illustrative. The answer to your question
is FIVE TONS OF FLAX!

SUSPENDED ANNIHILATION

ODD# II/2,xii;68Chs3136
Principia Discordia
or
How I Found Goddess & What I Did To Her
When I found Her
being a Beginning Introduction to
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The Erisian Mysterees
Which is Most Interesting
-><-
as Divinely Revealed to
My High Reverence MALACLYPSE THE YOUNGER, KSC
Omnibenevolent Polyfather of Virginity in Gold
and HIGH PRIEST of
THE PARATHEO-ANAMETAMYSTIKHOOD OF ERIS ESOTERIC (POEE)

HAIL ERIS! -><- KALLISTI -><- ALL HAIL DISCORDIA!

Dedicated to The Prettiest One
The Upstart of one hand clapping
- JOSHUA NORTON CABAL -
Surrealists, Harlequinists, Absurdists and Zonked Artists Melee
POEE
is one manifestation of
THE DISCORDIAN SOCIETY
about which
you will learn more
and understand
less

We
are a tribe
of philosophers, theologians,
magicians, scientists,
artists, clowns,
and similar maniacs
who are intrigued
with
ERIS
GODDESS OF CONFUSION
and with
Her
Doings
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I Tell You: One must
still have chaos in one
to give birth to a
dancing star!
-Nietzsche
THE FIVE COMMANDMENTS (THE PENTABARF)
The PENTABARF was discovered by the hermit Apostle Zarathud in the Fifth Year of The
Caterpillar. He found them carved in gilded stone, while building a sun deck for his
cave, but their import was lost for they were written in a mysterious cypher.
However, after 10 weeks & 11 hours of intensive scrutiny he discerned that the
message could be read by standing on his head and viewing it upside down.
KNOW YE THIS O MAN OF FAITH!
I - There is no Goddess but Goddess and She is Your Goddess. There is no Erisian
Movement but The Erisian Movement and it is The Erisian Movement. And every Golden
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Apple Corps is the beloved home of a Golden Worm.
II - A Discordian Shall Always use the Official Discordian Document Numbering
System.
III - A Discordian is Required during his early Illumination to Go Off Alone &
Partake Joyously of a Hot Dog on a Friday; this Devotive Ceremony to Remonstrate
against the popular Paganisms of the Day: of Catholic Christendom (no meat on
Friday), of Judaism (no meat of Pork), of Hindic Peoples (no meat of Beef), of
Buddhists (no meat of animal), and of Discordians (no Hot Dog Buns).
IV - A Discordian shall Partake of No Hot Dog Buns, for Such was the Solace of Our
Goddess when She was Confronted with The Original Snub.
V - A Discordian is Prohibited of Believing What he reads.
IT IS SO WRITTEN! SO BE IT. HAIL DISCORDIA! PROSECUTORS WILL BE
TRANSGRESSICUTED.
Test Question from Topanga Cabal The Twelve Famous Buddha Minds School: If they are
our brothers, how come we can't eat them?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A ZEN STORY
by Camden Benares, The Count of Five
Headmaster, Camp Meeker Cabal
A serious young man found the conflicts of mid 20th Century America confusing. He
went to many people seeking a way of resolving within himself the discords that
troubled him, but he remained troubled. One night in a coffee house, a
self-ordained Zen Master said to him, "go to the dilapidated mansion you will find
at this address which I have written down for you. Do not speak to those who live
there; you must remain silent until the moon rises tomorrow night. Go to the large
room on the right of the main hallway, sit in the lotus position on top of the
rubble in the northeast corner, face the corner, and meditate."

He did just as the Zen Master instructed. His meditation was frequently
interrupted by worries. He worried whether or not the rest of the plumbing fixtures
would fall from the second floor bathroom to join the pipes and other trash he was
sitting on. He worried how would he know when the moon rose on the next night. He
worried about what the people who walked through the room said about him.
His worrying and meditation were disturbed when, as if in a test of his
faith, ordure fell from the second floor onto him. At that time two people walked
into the room. The first asked the second who the man
was sitting there was. The second replied "Some say he is a holy man. Others say he
is a shithead."

Hearing this, the man was enlightened.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Western Union Telegram
To: Jehova Yahweh
Care: Celestial Hotel (Suite #666)
Presidential Tier, Paradise
Dear God;
This is to inform you that your current position as diety is herewith
terminated due to gross incompetence STOP Your check will be mailed STOP
Please do not use me for a reference
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Respectfully,
Malaclypse the Younger/Omnibenevolent Polyfather
POEE High Priest

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
10. The Earth quakes and the heavens rattle; the beasts of nature flock
together and the nations of men flock apart; volcanoes usher up heat while
elsewhere water becomes ice and melts; and then on other days it just rains.
11. Indeed do many things come to pass.
HBT; The Book of Predictions, Chap. 19
- THE BIRTH OF THE ERISIAN MOVEMENT -
THE REVELATION
Just prior to the decade of the nineteen-sixties, when Sputnik was alone and
new, and about the time that Ken Kesey took his first acid trip as a medical
volunteer; before underground newspapers, Viet Nam, and talk of a second American
Revolution; in the comparative quiet of the late nineteen-fifties, just before the
idea of RENAISSANCE became relevant....
Two young Californians, known later as Omar Ravenhurst and
Malaclypse the Younger, were indulging in their habit of sipping coffee at an
allnight bowling alley and generally solving the world's problems. This particular
evening the main subject of discussion was discord and they were complaining to each
other of the personal confusion they felt in their respective lives. "Solve the
problem of discord," said one, "and all other problems will vanish." "Indeed," said
the other, "chaos and strife are the roots of all confusion."

FIRST I MUST SPRINKLE YOU

WITH FAIRY DUST
Suddenly the place became devoid of light. Then an utter silence enveloped them, and
a great stillness was felt. Then came a blinding flash of intense light, as though
their very psyches had gone nova. Then vision returned.
The two were dazed and neither moved nor spoke for several minutes. They
looked around and saw that the bowlers were frozen like statues in a variety of
comic positions, and that a bowling ball was steadfastly anchored to the floor only
inches from the pins that it had been sent to scatter. The two looked at each other,
totally unable to account for the phenomenon. The condition was one of suspension,
and one noticed that the clock had stopped.

There walked into the room a chimpanzee, shaggy and grey about the muzzle, yet
upright to his full five feet, and poised with natural majesty. He carried a scroll
and walked to the young men.

"Gentlemen," he said, "why does Pickering's Moon go about in reverse orbit?

Gentlemen, there are nipples on your chests; do you give milk? And what, pray tell,
Gentlemen, is to be done about Heisenberg's Law?" He paused. "SOMEBODY HAD TO PUT
ALL OF THIS CONFUSION HERE!"

And with that he revealed his scroll. It was a diagram, like a yin-yang with a
pentagon on one side and an apple on the other. And then he exploded and the two
lost consciousness.

ERIS - GODDESS OF CHAOS, DISCORD & CONFUSION

They awoke to the sound of pins clattering, and found the bowlers engaged in
their game and the waitress busy with making coffee. It was apparant that their
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experience had been private.
They discussed their strange encounter and reconstructed from memory the
chimpanzee's diagram. Over the next five days they searched libraries to find the
significance of it, but were disappointed to uncover only references to Taoism, the
Korean flag, and Technocracy. It was not until they traced the Greek writing on the
apple that they discovered the ancient Goddess known to the Greeks as ERIS and to
the Romans as DISCORDIA. This was on the fifth night, and when they slept that night
each had a vivid dream of a splendid woman whose eyes were as soft as feather and as
deep as eternity itself, and whose body was the spectacular dance of atoms and
universes. Pyrotechnics of pure energy formed her flowing hair, and rainbows
manifested and dissolved as she spoke in a warm and gentle voice:
I have come to tell you that you are free. Many ages ago, My consciousness left man,
that he might develop himself. I return to find this development approaching
completion, but hindered by fear and by misunderstanding. You have built for
yourselves psychic suits of armor, and clad in them, your vision is restricted, your
movements are clumsy and painful, your skin is bruised, and your spirit is broiled
in the sun. I am chaos. I am the substance from which your artists and scientists
build rhythms. I am the spirit with which your children and clowns laugh in happy
anarchy. I am chaos. I am alive, and I tell you that you are free.

During the next months they studied philosophies and theologies, and learned
that ERIS or DISCORDIA was primarily feared by the ancients as being disruptive.
Indeed, the very concept of chaos was still considered equivalent to strife and
treated as a negative. "No wonder things are all screwed up," they concluded, "they
have got it all backwards." They found that the principle of disorder was every much
as significant as the principle of order.
With this in mind, they studied the strange yin-yang. During a
meditation one afternoon, a voice came to them:
It is called THE SACRED CHAO. I appoint you Keepers of It. Therein you will find
anything you like. Speak of Me as DISCORD, to show contrast to the pentagon. Tell
constricted mankind that there are no rules, unless they choose to invent rules.
Keep close the words of Syadasti: 'TIS AN ILL WIND THAT BLOWS NO MINDS. And remember
that there is no tyranny in the State of Confusion. For further information, consult
your pineal gland.
"What is this?" mumbled one to the other, "A religion based on The Goddess
of Confusion? It is utter madness!"
And with those words, each looked at the other in absolute awe. Omar began
to giggle. Mal began to laugh. Omar began to jump up and down. Mal was hooting and
hollering to beat all hell. And amid squeals of mirth and with tears on their
cheeks, each appointed the other to be high priest of his own madness, and together
they declared themselves to be a society of Discordia, for what ever that may turn
out to be.

"There are trivial truths & there are great truths. The opposite of a
trivial truth is plainly false. The opposite of a great truth is also true."
-Neils Bohr
"Did you know that there is a million bucks hidden in the house next door?"
"But there is no house next door."
"No? Then let's go build one!"
-MARX
Fnord Fnord, Fnord, Fnord, Fnord, Fnord, Fnord, Fnord, Fnord, Fnord, Fnord, Fnord,
Fnord, Fnord, Fnord, Fnord, Fnord, Fnord, Fnord, Fnord, Fnord, Fnord
Momomoto, Famous Japanese, can swallow his nose.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
St. Trinian's
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL POLICE
Sewing Circle

THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE ERISTOCRACY

by Lord Omar
VERSE
Mine brain has meditated on the spinning of The Chao;
It is hovering o'er the table where the Chiefs of Staff are now
Gathered in discussion of the dropping of The Bomb;
Her Apple Corps is strong!
CHORUS
Grand (and gory) Old Discordja!
Grand (and gory) Old Discordja!
Grand (and gory) Old Discordja!
Her Apple Corps is strong!

VERSE
She was not invited to the party that they held on Limbo Peak;*
So She threw a Golden Apple, 'sted of turn'd t'other cheek!
O it cracked the Holy Punchbowl and it made the nectar leak;
Her Apple Corps is strong!

* "Limbo Peak" refers to Old Limbo Peak, commonly called by the Greeks
"Ol' Limb' Peak."

If a quixotic socrates studied zen under Zorba...?

"The tide is turning... the enemy is suffering terrible losses"
-Gen. Geo. A. Custer

People in a Position to Know, Inc.

ON PRAYER
Mal-2 was once asked by one of his Disciples if he often prayed to Eris. He replied
with these words:
No, we Erisians seldom pray, it is much too dangerous. Charles Fort has
listed many factual incidences of ignorant people confronted with, say, a drought,
and then praying fervently -- and then getting the entire village wiped out in a
torrential flood.

"Of course I'm crazy, but that doesn't mean I'm wrong. I'm mad but not ill"
(Werewolf Bridge, Robert Anton Wison)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
14. Wipe thine ass with what is written and grin like a ninny at what is Spoken.
Take thine refuge with thine wine in the Nothing behind Everything, as you hurry
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along the Path.
THE PURPLE SAGE
HBT; The Book of Predictions, Chap. 19

Heaven is down. Hell is up.

This is proven by the fact
that the planets and stars
are orderly in their
movements, IGNOTUM PER IGNOTIUS
while down on earth The meaning of this is unknown
we come close to the
primal chaos.
There are four other
proofs,
but I forget them.
-Josh the Dill
King Kong Kabal

IT IS MY FIRM BELIEF THAT IT IS A MISTAKE TO HOLD FIRM BELIEFS.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Classical Greeks were not influenced by the Classical Greeks.
DO NOT CIRCULATE!

What We Know About ERIS (not much)

The Romans left a likeness of Her for posterity-- She was shown as a grotesque woman
with a pale and ghastly look, Her eyes afire, Her garment ripped and torn, and women
look pale and ghastly when concealing a chilly dagger in their bosoms.

Her geneology is from the Greeks and is utterly confused. Either She was the twin of
Ares and the daughter of Zeus and Hera; or She was the daughter of Nyx, goddess of
night (who was either the daughter or wife of Chaos, or both), and Nyx's brother,
Erebus, and whose brothers and sisters include Death, Doom, Mockery, and Friendship.
And that She begat Forgetfullness, Quarrels, Lies, and a bunch of gods and goddesses
like that.
One day Mal-2 consulted his Pineal Gland* and asked Eris if She really created all
of those terrible things. She told him that She had always liked the Old Greeks, but
that they cannot be trusted with historic matters. "They were," She added, "victims
of indigestion, you know."
Suffice it to say that Eris is not hateful or malicious. But She is
mischievous, and does get a little bitchy at times.
*THE PINEAL GLAND is where each and every one of us can talk to Eris. If youhave
trouble activating your Pineal, then try the appendix which does almost as well.
Reference: DOGMA I, METAPHYSICS #3, "The Indoctrine of the Pineal Gland"

DIRUIT AEDIFICAT MUTAT QUADRATA ROTUNDUS

-Horace
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE INSIDE STORY!
The Law of Fives
the Law of Fives is one of the oldest Erisian Mysterees. It was first
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revealed to Good Lord Omar and is one of the great contributions to come from The
Hidden Temple of The Happy Jesus.

POEE subscribes to the Law of Fives of Omar's sect. And POEE also
recognizes the holy 23 (2+3=5) that is incorporated by Episkopos Dr. Mordecai
Malignatus, KNS, into his Discordian sect, The Ancient Illuminated Seers of Bavaria.

The Law of Fives states simply that: ALL THINGS HAPPEN IN FIVES, OR ARE
DIVISIBLE BY OR ARE MULTIPLES OF FIVE, OR ARE SOMEHOW DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY
APPROPRIATE TO 5.
The Law of Fives is never wrong.
In the Erisian Archives is an old memo from Omar to Mal-2: "I find the Law
of Fives to be more and more manifest the harder I look."

Please do not use this document as toilet tissue

The Nagas of Upper Burma say that the sun

shines by day because, being a woman, it
is afraid to venture out at night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You will find that the State is the kind of ORGANIZATION which, though it does big
things badly, does small things badly too."
- John Kenneth Galbraith
THE MYTH OF THE APPLE OF DISCORD
It seems that Zeus was preparing a wedding banquet for Peleus and Thetis and
did not want to invite Eris because of Her reputation as a trouble maker.*
This made Eris angry, and so She fashioned an apple of pure gold**
and inscribed upon it KALLISTI ("To The Prettiest One") and on the day of the fete
She rolled it into the banquet hall and then left to be alone and joyously partake
of a hot dog.
Now, three of the invited goddesses,*** Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite, each
immediately claimed it to belong to herself because of the inscription. And they
started fighting, and they started throwing punch all over the place and everything.

Finally Zeus calmed things down and declared that an arbitrator must be
selected, which was a reasonable suggestion, and all agreed. He sent them to a
shepherd of Troy, whose name was Paris because his mother had had a lot of gaul and
had married a Frenchman; but each of the sneaky goddesses tried to outwit the others
by going early and offering a bribe to Paris.
Athena offered him Heroic War Victories, Hera offered him Great
Wealth, and Aphrodite offered him the Most Beautiful Woman on Earth. Being a healthy
young Trojan lad, Paris promptly accepted Aphrodite's bribe and she got the apple
and he got screwed.
As she had promised, she maneuvered earthly happenings so that Pariscould
have Helen (The Helen) then living with her husband Menelaus,King of Sparta. Anyway,
everyone knows that the Trojan War followed when Sparta demanded their Queen back
and that the Trojan War is said to be The First War among men.
And so we suffer because of the Original Snub. And so a Discordian
is to partake of No Hot Dog Buns. Do you believe that?
-------------------------------------
* This is called THE DOCTRINE OF THE ORIGINAL SNUB
** There is historic disagreement concerning whether this apple was of
metalic gold or acapulco.
*** Actually there were five goddesses, but the Greeks did not know the Law of
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Fives.

REMEMBER:
KING
KONG
DIED FOR
YOUR SINS

Ho Chi Zen
is
King Cong

5. An Age of Confusion, or an Ancient Age, is one in which History As We Know It

begins to unfold, in which Whatever Is Coming emerges in Corporal Form, more or
less, and such times are Ages of Balanced Unbalance, or Unbalanced Balance.
6. An Age of Bureaucracy is an Imperial Age in which Things Mature, in which
Confusion becomes entrenched and during which Balanced Balance,or
Stagnation, is attained.
7. An Age of Disorder or an Aftermath is an Apocalyptic Period of Transition back to
Chaos through the Screen of Oblivion into which the Age passeth, finally. These are
Ages of Unbalanced Unbalance.
HBT; The Book of Uterus, Chap. 3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do You Remember?
1. Polite children will always remember that a church is the ______ of _____.

An Erisian Hymn
by Rev. Dr. Mungojerry Grindlebone, KOB
Episkopos, THE RAYVILLE APPLE PANTHERS
Onwards Christian Soldiers,
Onwards Buddhist Priests.
Onward, Fruits of Islam,
Fight till you're deceased.
Fight your little battles.
Join in thickest fray;
For the Greater Glory,
of Dis-cord-i-a.
Yah, yah, yah,
Yah, yah, yah, yah.
Blfffffffffffft!

Mr. Momomoto, famous Japanese who can swallow his nose,has been
exposed. It was recently revealed that it was Mr. Momomoto's brother who has been
doing all this nose swallowing.

Heute Die Welt

Morgens das Sonnensystem!
Abbey of the Barbarous Relic
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Official Proclamation -- ODD# III(b)/4,i;18Aft3135
--------------------------------------------------

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POEE DISORGANIZATIONAL MATRIX
V) The House of Apostle of ERIS
For the Eristocracy and the Cabalablia

A. The Five Apostles of ERIS

B. The Golden Apple Corps (KSC)
C. Episkoposes of The Discordian Society
D. POEE Cabal Priests
E. Saints, Erisian Avatars, and Like Personages
IV) The House of the Rising Podge
for the Disciples of Discordia
A. Office of My High Reverence, The Polyfather
B. Council of POEE Priests
C. The LEGION OF DYNAMIC DISCORD
D. Eristic Avatars
E. Aneristic Avatars

III) The House of the Rising Hodge

For the Bureaucracy
A. the Bureau of Erisian Archives
B. the Bureau of The POEE Epistolary, and The Division of Dogmas
C. The Bureau of Symbols,Emblems, Certificates and Such
D. The Bureau of Eristic Affairs, and The Administry for The Unenlightened
Eristic Horde
E. The Bureau of Aneristic Affairs, and the Administry for the Orders of
Discordia
II) The House of the Rising Collapse
For the Encouragement of Liberation of Freedom, and/or the Discouragement of the
Immanentizing of the Eschaton

A. The Breeze of Wisdom and/or The Wind of Insanity

B. The Breeze of Integrity and/or The Wind of Arrogance
C. The Breeze of Beauty and/or The Wind of Outrages
D. The Breeze of Love and/or The Wind of Bombast
E. The Breeze of Laughter and/or The Wind of Bullshit
I) The Out House
For what is left over
A. Miscellaneous Avatars
B. The Fifth Column
C. POEE =POPES= everywhere
D. Drawer "O" for OUT OF FILE
E. Lost Documents and Forgotten Truths

-><- OFFICIAL - POEE

Head Temple, San Francisco
HOUSE OF THE RISING PODGE
Bureau of The POEE Epistolary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
= THE FIVE FINGERED HAND OF ERIS =
The official symbol of POEE is here illustrated. It may be this, or any
similar device to represent TWO OPPOSING ARROWS CONVERGING INTO A COMMON
POINT. It may be vertical, horizontal, or else such, and it may be elaborated or
simplified as desired.

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The esoteric name for this symbol is THE FIVE FINGERED HAND OF ERIS, commonly
shortened to THE HAND.
\ /
-----><-----
/ \
NOTE: In the lore of western magic, the \/ is taken to symbolize horns,
especially the horns of Satan or of diabolical beasties. The Five Fingered Hand of
Eris, however, is not intended to be taken as satanic, for the "horns" are supported
by another set, of inverted "horns". Or maybe it is walrus tusks. I don't know what
it is, to tell the truth.

"Surrealism aims at the total transformation of the mind

and all that resembles it"
-Breton
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-><- POEE -><-
POEE (pronounced "POEE") is an acronym for The PARATHEO-ANAMETAMYSTIKHOOD OF ERIS
ESOTERIC. The first part can be taken to mean "equivalent
deity,reversity beyond-mystique." We are not really esoteric, it's just that nobody
pays much attention to us.
MY HIGH REVERENCE MALACLYPSE THE YOUNGER, AB, DD, KSC, is the High Priest of POEE,
and POEE is grounded in his episkopotic revelations of The Goddess. He is called
[The Omnibenevolent Polyfather of Virginity in Gold].
The POEE HEAD TEMPLE is the Joshua Norton Cabal of The Discordian Society, which is
located in Mal-2's pineal gland and can be found by temporally and spacially
locating the rest of Mal-2.
POEE has no treasury, no by-laws, no articles, no guides save Mal-2's pineal gland,
and has only one scruple-- which Mal-2 keeps on his key chain.

POEE has not registered,incorporated, or otherwise chartered with the State, and so
the State does not recognize POEE or POEE Ordinations, which is only fair, because
POEE does not recognize the State.
POEE has 5 DEGREES:
There is the neophyte, or LEGIONNAIRE DISCIPLE.
The LEGIONNAIRE DEACON, who is catching on.
An Ordained POEE PRIEST/PRIESTESS or a CHAPLIN.
The HIGH PRIEST, the Polyfather.
And POEE =POPE=.
POEE LEGIONNAIRE DISCIPLES are authorized to initiate others as Discordian Society
Legionnaires. PRIESTS appoint their own DEACONS. The POLYFATHER ordains priests. I
don't know about the =POPES=.
" This book is a mirror. When a monkey looks in, no apostle looks out."
-Lichtenberg
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Application For Membership

In the Erisian movement of the DISCORDIA SOCIETY
1. Today's date Yesterday's Date

2. Purpose of this application: --membership in : a. Legion of Dynamic Discord

b. POEE c. Bavarian Illuminati d. All of the Above e. None of the Above
f. Other-- BE SPECIFIC!
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3. Name_________________________ Holy Name_____________
Address_____________________________________________________________
(If temporary, also give an address from which mail can be forwarded)
4. Description: Born: []Yes []No Eyes:[]2 []other Height:
..... fl. oz. Last time you had a haircut: Reason:

Race: []horse []human I.Q.: 150-200 200-250 250-300 over 300

5. History: Education - highest grade completed 1 2 3 4 5 6 over 6th
Professional: On another ream of paper list every job since 1937 from which
you have been fired. Medical: On a separate sheet labeled "confidential" list all
major psychic psychotic episodes experienced within the last 24 hours

6. Sneaky Questions to establish personality traits

I would rather a. live in an outhouse b. play in a rock group c. eat
caterpillars. I wear obscene tattoos because ..........
I have ceased raping little children []yes []no -- reason ..........
7. Self Portrait

Rev. Mungo
For Office Use Only -- acc. rej. burned
LICK HERE!!!
*
(You may be one
of the lucky 25)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-><-
POEE & It's Priests
If you like Erisianism as it is presented according to Mal-2, then you may wish to
form your own POEE CABAL as a POEE PRIEST and you can go do a bunch of POEE Priestly
Things. A "POEE Cabal" is exactly what you think it is.

The High Priest makes no demands on his Priests, though he does rather expect good
will of them. The Office of The Polyfather is point, not to teach. Once in a while,
he even listens.
Should you find that your own revelations of The Goddess become substantially
different that the revelations of Mal-2, then perhaps the Goddess has plans for you
as an Episkopos, and you might consider creating your own sect from scratch,
unhindered. Episkoposes are not competing with each other, and they are all POEE
priests anyway (as soon as I locate them). The point is that Episkoposes are
developing separate paths to the Erisian mountain top. See the section "Discordian
Society"
ORDINATION AS A POEE PRIEST
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There are no particular qualifications for Ordination because if you want to be a
POEE Priest then you must undoubtedly qualify. Who could possibly know better than
you whether or not you should be Ordained?

An ORDAINED POEE PRIEST or PRIESTESS is defined as "one who holds an

Ordination Certificate from the Office of the Polyfather."

Seek into the Chao if thou wouldst be wise

And find ye delight in Her Great Surprise!
Look into the Chao if thou wantest to know
What's in a Chao and why it ain't so!
(HBT; The Book of Advise, 1:1)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
World Council of Churches Boutique
Note to POEE Priests:

The Polyfather wishes to remind all Erisians the POEE was conceived not as a
commercial enterprise, and that you are requested to keep your cool when seeking
funds for POEE Cabals or when spreading the POEE Word via the market place.

The Hidden stone ripens fast,

then laid bare like a turnip
can easily be cut out at last
but even then the danger isn't past.
That man lives best who's fain
to live half mad, half sane.
-Flemish Poet Jan Van
Stijevoort, 1524.

The Erisian Affirmation

BEFORE THE GODDESS ERIS, I (name or holyname), do herewith declare myself a POEE
BROTHER of THE LEGION OF DYNAMIC DISCORD.
HAIL HAIL HAIL HAIL HAIL ERIS ERIS ERIS ERIS ERIS ALL HAIL DISCORDIA!
the presiding POEE Official (if any) responds:
ALL HAIL DISCORDIA!

find the goddess Eris To Diverse Gods

Within your Pineal Gland Do Mortals bow;
POEE Holy Cow, and
Wholly Chao
-Rev. Dr. Grindlebone
Monroe Cabal
"common sense is what tells you that the world is flat."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is St. Gulik. He is the Messenger of the Goddess. A different age from ours
called him Hermes. Many people called him by many names. He is a Roach.

________________________________________________________________________
Legion of Dynamic Discord
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HARK
RECOGNIZE that the -- DISCORDIAN SOCIETY -- doth hereby certify

As a Legionnaire

Glory to We Children of ERIS

Presented under the auspices
of our Lady of Discord, ERIS
by the House of the Apostles
of ERIS.
-><-
________________________________________________________________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOW TO START A POEE CABAL
WITHOUT MESSING AROUND WITH THE POLYFATHER
If you can't find the Polyfather, or having found him, don't want anything to do
with him, you are still authorized to form your own POEE CABAL and do Priestly
Things, using the Principia Discordia as a guide. Your Official Rank will be POEE
CHAPLIN for the LEGION OF DYNAMIC DISCORD, which is exactly the same as a POEE
PRIEST except that you don't have an Ordination Certificate. The words you are now
reading are your ordination.

HOW TO BECOME A POEE CHAPLIN

1. Write the ERISIAN AFFIRMATION in five copies.

2. Sign and nose-print each copy.
3. Send one to the President of the United States.
4. Send one to
The California State Bureau of Furniture and Bedding
1021 'D' Street, Sacramento CA 94814
5. Nail one to a telephone pole. Hide one. And burn the other.
Then consult your pineal gland.

General License was Sgt. Pepper's Commander

~~ OLD POEE SLOGAN ~~

When in Doubt, Fuck it.
When not in Doubt... get in Doubt!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Trip 5!
= The POEE Baptismal Rite =
This Mysteree Rite is not required for initiation, but it is offered by many POEE
Priests to proselytes who desire a formal ceremony.
1) The Priests and four Brothers are arranged in a pentagon with the Initiate in the
center facing the Priests. If possible, the Brothers on the immediate right and left
of the Priest should be Deacons. The Initiate must be totally naked, to demonstrate
that he is truly a human being and not something else in disguise like a cabbage or
something.
2) All persons in the audience and the pentagon, excepting the Priest, assume a
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squatting position and return to a standing position. This is repeated four more
times. This dance is symbolic of the humility of we Erisians.
3) The Priest begins:
I, (complete Holy Name, with Mystical Titles, and degrees, designations, offices,
&tc.), Ordained Priest of the Paratheo-anametamystikhood of Eris Esoteric, with the
Authority invested at me by the High Priest of It, Office of the Polyfather, The
House of the Rising Podge, POEE Head Temple; Do herewith Require of Ye:
1) ARE YE A HUMAN BEING AND NOT A CABBAGE OR SOMETHING? The Initiate answers
YES.
2) THAT'S TOO BAD. DO YE WISH TO BETTER THYSELF? The Initiate answers YES.
3) HOW STUPID. ARE YE WILLING TO BECOME PHILOSOPHICALLY ILLUMINIZED? He
answers YES.
4) VERY FUNNY. WILL YE DEDICATE YESELF TO THE HOLEY ERISIAN MOVEMENT? The
Initiate answers PROBABLY.
5) THEN SWEAR YE THE FOLLOWING AFTER ME:
(The Priest here leads the Initiate in a recital of THE ERISIAN AFFIRMATION.)
The Priest continues: THEN I DO HERE PROCLAIM YE POEE DISCIPLE (name),
LEGIONNAIRE OF THE LEGION OF DYNAMIC DISCORD. HAIL ERIS! HAIL HAIL! HAIL YES!
4) All present rejoice grandly. The new Brother opens a large jug of wine and offers
it to all who are present.
5) The Ceremony generally degenerates.

Mord says that Omar says that we are all unicorns anyway.
DO NOT PULL ON YELLOW TIP
3. And though Omar did bid of the Collector of Garbage, in words that were both
sweet and bitter, to surrender back the cigar box containing the cards designated by
the Angel as The Honest Book of Truth, the Collector was to him as one who might be
smitten deaf, saying only: 'Gainst the rules, y' know.
HBT; The Book of Explanations, Chap 2

Answers:
1. Harry Houdini
2. Swing Music
3. Pretzels
4. 8 months
5. Testy Culbert
6. It protrudes.
7. No vocal cords
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE POEE MYSTEREE OATH G3400
50
The Initiate swears the following: DMTS
19
FLYING BABY SHIT!!!!!
(Brothers of the Ancient Illuminated Seers of Bavaria sect may wish to
substitute the German:
FLIEGENDE KINDERSCHEISSE!
or perhaps
WIECZNY KWIAT WTADZA!!!!!
which is Ewige Blumenkraft in Polish.)

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THE RECENT EXPOSE THAT MR. MOMOMOTO, FAMOUS JAPANESE WHO CAN SWALLOW HIS NOSE,
CANNOT SWALLOW HIS NOSE BUT HIS BROTHER CAN, HAS BEEN EXPOSED! IT IS MR. MOMOMOTO
WHO CAN SWALLOW HIS NOSE. HE SWALLOWED HIS BROTHER IN THE SUMMER OF '44.

Corrections to last week's copy: Johnny Sample is offensive cornerback for the New
York Jets, not fullback as stated. Bobby Tolan's name is not Randy, but mud. All
power to the people, and ban the fucking bomb.

"This statement is false"

(courtesy of POEE)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NO TWO EQUALS ARE THE SAME!

THE DISCORDIAN SOCIETY

The Discordian Society has no definition.
I sometimes think of it as a disorganization of Eris Freaks. It has been
called a guerrilla mind theatre. Episkopos Randomfactor, Director of Purges of Our
People's Underworld Movement sect in Larchmont, prefers "The World's Greatest
Association of What-ever-it-is-that-we-are." Lady Mal thinks of it as a RENAISSANCE
THINK TANK. Fang the Unwashed, WKC, won't say. You can think of it any way you like.

AN EPISKOPOS OF THE DISCORDIAN SOCIETY

is one who prefers total autonomy, and creates his own Discordian sect as The
Goddess directs him. He speaks for himself and for those that say that they like
what he says.

THE LEGION OF DYNAMIC DISCORD:

A Discordian Society Legionnaire is one who prefers not to create his own sect.
If you want in on the Discordian Society then declare yourself what you wish do what
you like and tell us about it or if you prefer don't.
There are no rules anywhere. Some Episkoposes
The Goddess Prevails. have a one-man cabal.
Some work together.
Some never do explain.

When I get to the bottom I go back to the top

of the slide where I stop and I turn and I go
for a ride, then I get to the bottom and I see
you again! Helter Skelter!
-John Lennon
"Everybody I know who is right always agrees with ME" -Rev Lady Mal
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE GOLDEN APPLE CORPS
The Golden Apple Corps* is an honorary position for the Keepers of The Sacred Chao,
so that they can put "KSC" after their names.
It says little,
does less,
means
nothing.
* Not to be confused with The Apple Corps Ltd. of those four singers. We thought of
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it first.

- The Numeral V sign -

Used by Old Roman Discordians, Illuminatus Churchill, and innocent Hippies
everywhere.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PERPETUAL DATE CONVERTER FROM GREGORIAN TO POEE CALENDAR

Seasons
1) Chaos - Patron Apostle Hung Mung
2) Discord - Patron Apostle Dr. Van Van Mojo
3) Confusion - Patron Apostle Sri Syadasti
4) Bureaucracy - Patron Apostle Zarathud
5) The Aftermath - Patron Apostle The Elder Malaclypse
Days of the Week* * The DAYS OF THE WEEK
1) Sweetmorn are named from the five Basic Elements:
2) Boomtime SWEET, BOOM, PUNGENT, PRICKLE, and ORANGE
3) Pungenday
4) Prickle-Prickle
5) Setting Orange

HOLYDAYS
A) APOSTLE HOLYDAYS B) SEASON HOLYDAYS
1) Mungday 1) Chaoflux
2) Mojoday 2) Discoflux
3) Syaday 3) Confuflux
4) Zaraday 4) Bureflux
5) Maladay 5) Afflux
Each occurs on the 5th Each occurs on the 50th
day of the Season day of each Season
C) ST. TIB'S DAY - occurs once every 4 years (1+4=5) and is inserted
between the 59th and 60th days of the Season of Chaos

SM BT PD PP SO SM BT PD PP SO
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Jan 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Chs Jul 5 6 7 8 9 40 41 42 43 44 Cfn
6 7 8 9 10 6 7 8 9 10 10 11 12 13 14 45 46 47 48 49
11 12 13 14 15 11 12 13 14 15 15 16 17 18 19 50 51 52 53 54
16 17 18 19 20 16 17 18 19 20 20 21 22 23 24 55 56 57 58 59
21 22 23 24 25 21 22 23 24 25 25 26 27 28 29 60 61 62 63 64
26 27 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 30 31 1 2 3 65 66 67 68 69
31 1 2 3 4 31 32 33 34 35 Aug 4 5 6 7 8 70 71 72 73 1 Bcy
Feb 5 6 7 8 9 36 37 38 39 40 9 10 11 12 13 2 3 4 5 6
10 11 12 13 14 41 42 43 44 45 14 15 16 17 18 7 8 9 10 11
15 16 17 18 19 46 47 48 49 50 19 20 21 22 23 12 13 14 15 16
20 21 22 23 24 51 52 53 54 55 24 25 26 27 28 17 18 19 20 21
25 26 27 28* 1 56 57 58 59 60 29 30 31 1 2 22 23 24 25 26
Mar 2 3 4 5 6 61 62 63 64 65 Sep 3 4 5 6 7 27 28 29 30 31
7 8 9 10 11 66 67 68 69 70 8 9 10 11 12 32 33 34 35 36
12 13 14 15 16 71 72 73 1 2 Dsc 13 14 15 16 17 37 38 39 40 41
17 18 19 20 21 3 4 5 6 7 18 19 20 21 22 42 43 44 45 46
22 23 24 25 26 8 9 10 11 12 23 24 25 26 27 47 48 49 50 51
27 28 29 30 31 13 14 15 16 17 28 29 30 1 2 52 53 54 55 56
Apr 1 2 3 4 5 18 19 20 21 22 Oct 3 4 5 6 7 57 58 59 60 61
6 7 8 9 10 23 24 25 26 27 8 9 10 11 12 62 63 64 65 66
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11 12 13 14 15 28 29 30 31 32 13 14 15 16 17 67 68 69 70 71
16 17 18 19 20 33 34 35 36 37 18 19 20 21 22 72 73 1 2 3 Afm
21 22 23 24 25 38 39 40 41 42 23 24 25 26 27 4 5 6 7 8
26 27 28 29 30 43 44 45 46 47 28 29 30 31 1 9 10 11 12 13
May 1 2 3 4 5 48 49 50 51 52 Nov 2 3 4 5 6 14 15 16 17 18
6 7 8 9 10 53 54 55 56 57 7 8 9 10 11 19 20 21 22 23
11 12 13 14 15 58 59 60 61 62 12 13 14 15 16 24 25 26 27 28
16 17 18 19 20 63 64 65 66 67 17 18 19 20 21 29 30 31 32 33
21 22 23 24 25 68 69 70 71 72 22 23 24 25 26 34 35 36 37 38
26 27 28 29 30 73 1 2 3 4 Cfn 27 28 29 30 1 39 40 41 42 43
31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Dec 2 3 4 5 6 44 45 46 47 48
Jun 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 7 8 9 10 11 49 50 51 52 53
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 12 13 14 15 16 54 55 56 57 58
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 17 18 19 20 21 59 60 61 62 63
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 22 23 24 25 26 64 65 66 67 68
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 27 28 29 30 31 69 70 71 72 73
30 1 2 3 4 35 36 37 38 39 [1991 = 3157][Next St. Tibs Day in 3158]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOLY NAMES
Discordians have a tradition of assuming HOLY NAMES. This is not
unique to Erisianism, of course. I suppose that Pope Paul is the son
of Mr. and Mrs. VI?

Will whoever stole Brother Reverend Magoun's pornography please return

it.
~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE BEARER OF THIS CARD
IS A GENUINE AND AUTHORIZED
~ POPE ~
So please Treat Him Right
GOOD FOREVER
Genuine and authorized by The House of Apostles of ERIS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Every man, woman and child on this Earth is a genuine and authorized Pope Reproduce
and distribute these cards freely- POEE Head Temple, San Francisco

A =POPE= is someone who is not under the authority of the authorities.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For Your Enlightenment
THE PARABLE OF THE BITTER TEA
by
Rev. Dr. Hypocrates Magoun, P.P.
POEE PRIEST, Okinawa Cabal
When Hypoc was through meditating with St. Gulik, he went there into the
kitchen where he busied himself with preparing the feast and in his endeavor, he
found that there was some old tea in a pan left standing from the night before, when
he had in his weakness forgot about its making and had let it sit steeping for 24
hours. It was dark and murky and it was Hypoc's intention to use this old tea by
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diluting it with water. And again in his weakness, chose without further
consideration and plunged into the physical labor of the preparations. It was then
when deeply immersed in the pleasure of that trip, he had a sudden loud clear voice
in his head saying "it is bitter tea that involves you so." Hypoc heard the voice,
but the struggle inside intensified, and the pattern, previously established with
the physical laboring and the muscle messages coordinated and unified or perhaps
coded, continued to exert their influence and Hypoc succummed to the pressure and he
denied the voice.
And again he plunged into the physical orgy and completed the task, and Lo
as the voice had predicted, the tea was bitter.
"The Five Laws have root in awareness."
--Che Fung (Ezra Pound, Canto 85)
The Hell Law says that Hell is reserved exclusively for them that believe in it.
Further, the lowest Rung in Hell is reserved for them that believe in it on the
supposition that they'll go there if they don't.
HBT; The Gospel According to Fred, 3:1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A SERMON ON ETHICS AND LOVE
One day Mal-2 asked the messenger spirit Saint Gulik to approach the Goddess
and request Her presence for some desperate advice. Shortly afterwards the radio
came on by itself, and an ethereal female Voice said YES?
"O! Eris! Blessed Mother of Man! Queen of Chaos! Daughter of Discord!
Concubine of Confusion! O! Exquisite Lady, I beseech You to lift a heavy burden from
my heart!"
WHAT BOTHERS YOU, MAL? YOU DON'T SOUND WELL.
"I am filled with fear and tormented with terrible visions of pain.
Everywhere people are hurting one another, the planet is rampant with injustices,
whole societies plunder groups of their own people, mothers imprison sons, children
perish while brothers war. O, woe."
WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH THAT, IF IT IS WHAT YOU WANT TO DO?
"But nobody Wants it! Everybody hates it."
OH. WELL, THEN STOP.
At which moment She turned herself into an aspirin commercial and left The
Polyfather stranded alone with his species.

SINISTER DEXTER HAS A BROKEN SPIROMETER.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHAPTER 5: THE PIONEERS
=THE FIVE APOSTLES OF ERIS & WHO THEY BE =
1. HUNG MUNG
A Sage of Ancient China and Official Discordian Missionary to the Heathen Chinee. He
who originally devised THE SACRED CHAO. Patron of the Season of Chaos. Holyday: Jan
5.
2. DR. VAN VAN MOJO
A Head Doctor of Deep Africa and Maker of Fine Dolls. D.H.V., Doctor of Hoodoo and
Vexes, from The Greater Metropolitan Yorba Linda Jesus Will Save Your Bod Home Study
Bible School; and F.I.H.G.W.P., Fellow of the Intergalactic Haitian Guerrillas for
World Peace. Patron of The Season of Discord. Holyday: Mar 19.
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[NOTE: Erisians of The Laughing Christ sect are of the silly contention that Dr.
Mojo is an imposter and that PATAMUNZO LINGANANDA is the True Second Apostle. Lord
Omar claims that Dr. Mojo heaps hatred upon Patamunzo, who sends only Love
Vibrations in return. But we of the POEE sect know that Patamunzo is the Real
Imposter, and that those vibrations of his are actually an attempt to subvert Dr.
Mojo's rightful apostilic authority by shaking him out of his wits.
3. SRI SYADASTI SYADAVAKTAVYA SYADASTI SYANNASTI SYADASTI CAVAKTAVYASCA
SYADASTI SYANNASTI SYADAVATAVYASCA SYADASTI SYANNASTI SYADAVAKTAVYASCA commonly
called just SRI SYADASTI
His name is Sanskrit, and means: All affirmations are true in some sense, false in
some sense, meaningless in some sense, true and false in some sense, true and
meaningless in some sense, false and meaningless in some sense, and true and false
and meaningless in some sense.
He is an Indian Pundit and Prince, born of the Peyotl Tribe, son of Gentle Chief Sun
Flower Seed and the squaw Merry Jane. Patron to psychedelic type Discordians. Patron
of the Season of Confusion. Holyday: May 31. NOTE: Sri Syadasti should not be
confused with BLESSED ST. GULIK THE STONED, who is not the same person but is the
same Apostle.

4. ZARATHUD THE INCORRIGIBLE, sometimes called ZARATHUD THE STAUNCH

A hard nosed Hermit of Medieval Europe and Chaosphe Bible Banger. Dubbed
"Offender of The Faith." Discovered the Five Commandments. Patron of the Season of
Bureaucracy. Holyday: Aug. 12

5. THE ELDER MALACLYPSE

A wandering Wiseman of Ancient Mediterrania ("Med-Terra" or middle earth), who
followed a 5-pointed Star through the alleys of Rome, Damascus, Baghdad, Jerusalem,
Mecca and Cairo, bearing a sign that seemed to read "DOOM". (This is a
misunderstanding. The sign actually read "DUMB". Mal-1 is a Non-Prophet.) Patron and
namesake of Mal-2. Patron on The Season of The Aftermath. Holyday: Oct 24.
All statements are true in some sense, false in some sense, meaningless in some
sense, true and false in some sense, true and meaningless in some sense, false and
meaningless in some sense, and true and false and meaningless in some sense. A
public service clarification by the Sri Syadasti School of Spiritual Wisdom,
Wilmette.
The teachings of the Sri Syadasti School of Spiritual School of Spiritual Wisdom are
true in some sense, false in some sense, meaningless in some sense, true and false
in some sense, true and meaningless in some sense, false and meaningless in some
sense, and true and false and meaningless in some sense.
Patamunzo Lingananda School of Higher Spiritual Wisdom, Skokie.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey Man...Great! I feel goofy, the way my old man looks when he's drunk.

THE HONEST BOOK OF TRUTH

being a BIBLE of The Erisian Movement
and How it was Revealed to
Episkopos LORD OMAR KHAYYAM RAVENHURST, KSC; Bull Goose
of Limbo; and Master Pastor of the Church Invisible of
the Laughing Christ, Hidden Temple of The Happy Jesus,
Laughing Buddha Jesus [LBJ] Ranch

From the Honest Book of Truth

THE BOOK OF EXPLANATIONS, Chapter 1
1. There came one day to Lord Omar, Bull Goose of Limbo, a Messenger
of Our Lady who told him of a Sacred Mound wherein was buried an
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Honest Book.
2. And the Angel of Eris bade of the Lord: Go ye hence and dig the
Truth, that ye may come to know it and, knowing it, spread it and,
spreading it, wallow in it and, wallowing in it, lie in it and ,lying
in the Truth, become a Poet of the Word and a Sayer of Sayings -- an
Inspiration to all men and a Scribe to the Gods.
3. So Omar went forth to the Sacred Mound, which was to the East of
Mullah, and thereupon he worked digging in the sand for five days and
five nights, but found no book.

4. At the end of five days and five nights of digging, it came to pass
that Omar was exhausted. So he put his shovel to one side and bedded
himself down on the sand, using as a pillow a Golden Chest he had
uncovered on the first day of his labors.
5. Omar slept.
6. On the fifth day of his sleeping, Lord Omar fell into a Trance, and
there came to him in the Trance a Dream, and there came to him in the
Dream a Messenger of Our Lady who told him of a Sacred Grove wherein
was hidden a Golden Chest.
7. And the Angel of Eris bade of the Lord: Go ye hence and lift the
Stash, that ye may come to own it and, owning it, share it and,
sharing it, love in it and, loving in it, dwell in it and, dwelling in
the Stash, become a Poet of the Word and a Sayer of Sayings - an
Inspiration to all men and a Scribe to the Gods.
8. But Omar lamented, saying unto the Angel: What is this shit,man?
What care I for the Word and Sayings? What care I for the Inspiration
of all men? Wherein does it profit a man to be a Scribe to the Gods
when the Scribes of the Governments do nothing, yet are paid better
wages?
9. And, lo, the Angel waxed in anger and Omar was stricken to the Ground
by an Invisible Hand and did not arise for five days and five nights.

10. And it came to pass that on the fifth night he dreampt, and in his
Dream he had a Vision, and in this Vision there came unto him a
Messenger of Our Lady who entrusted to him a Rigoletto cigar box
containing many filing cards, some of them in packs with rubber bands
around, and upon these cards were sometimes written verses, while upon
others nothing was written.
11. Thereupon the Angel Commanded to Lord: Take ye this Honest Book of
Truth to thine bosom and cherish it. Carry it forth into The Land and
Lay it before Kings of Nations and Collectors of Garbage. Preach from
it unto the Righteous, that they may renounce their ways and repent.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CONVENTIONAL CHAOS
GREYFACE
In the year 1166 B.C., a malcontented hunchbrain by the name of
Greyface, got it into his head that the universe was as humorless as
he, and he began to teach that play was sinful because it contradicted
the ways of Serious Order. "Look at all the order around you," he
said. And from that, he deluded honest men to believe that reality was
a straightjacket affair and not the happy romance as men had known it.
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It is not presently understood why men were so gullible at that
particular time, for absolutely no one thought to observe all the
disorder around them and conclude just the opposite. But anyway,
Greyface and his followers took the game of playing at life more
seriously than they took life itself and were known even to destroy
other living beings whose ways of life differed from their own.

The unfortunate result of this is that mankind has since been

suffering from a psychological and spiritual imbalance. Imbalance causes
frustration, and frustration causes fear. And fear makes for a bad trip. Man has
been on a bad trip for a long time now.
It is called THE CURSE OF GREYFACE.

Bullshit makes the flowers

grow & that's beautiful.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Climb into the Chao with a friend or two
And follow the Way it carries you,
Adrift like a Lunatic Lifeboat Crew
Over the Waves in whatever you do.
(HBT; The Book of Advise, 1:3)

[graphic deleted... if you wanna see it, READ THE BOOK]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, at the Chinese laundromat...

DOGMA I - METAPHYSICS #2, "COSMOLOGY"*

THE BOOK OF UTERUS
from the Honest Book of Truth
revealed to Lord Omar
1. Before the beginning was the Nonexistent Chao, balanced in Oblivion by the
Perfect Counterpushpull of the Hodge and the Podge.
2. Whereupon, by an Act of Happenstance, the Hodge began gradually to
overpower the Podge -- and the Primal Chaos thereby came to be.
3. So in the beginning was the Primal Chaos, balanced on the Edge of Oblivion by the
Perfect Counterpullpush of the Podge and the Hodge.
4. Whereupon, by the Law of Negative Reversal,** the Podge swiftly
underpowered the Hodge and Everything broke loose.
5. And therein emerged the Active Force of Discord, the Subtle Manifestation of the
Nonexistent Chao, to guide Everything along the Path back to Oblivion - that it
might not become lost among Precepts of Order in the Region of Thud.
6. Forasmuch as it was Active, the Force of Discord entered the State of Confusion,
wherein It copulated with the Queen and begat ERIS, Our Lady of Discord and Gross
Manifestation of the Nonexistent Chao.
7. And under Eris Confusion became established, and was hence called
Bureaucracy; while over Bureaucracy Eris became established, and was hence called
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Discordia.
8. By the by it came to pass that the Establishment of Bureaucracy perished in a
paper shortage.
9. Thus it was, in accord with the Law of Laws.
10. During and after the Fall of the Establishment of Bureaucracy was the Aftermath,
an Age of Disorder in which calculation, computations, and reckonings were put away
by the Children of Eris in Acceptance and
Preparation for the Return to Oblivion to be followed by a Repetition of the
Universal Absurdity. Moreover, of Itself the Coming of Aftermath waseth a
Resurrection of the Freedom-flowing Chaos. HAIL ERIS!
11. Herein was set into motion the Eristic Pattern, which would Repeat Itself Five
Times Over Seventy-three Times, after which nothing would happen.
____________________________
* This doctrine should not be confused with DOGMA III - HISTORY #6, "HISTORIC
CYCLES," which states that social progress occurs in five cycles, the first three
("The Tricycle") of which are THESIS, ANTITHESIS and PARENTHESIS; and the last two
("the Bicycle") of which are CONSTERNATION and MORAL WARPTITUDE.
** The LAW OF NEGATIVE REVERSAL states that if something does not happen then the
exact opposite will happen, only in exactly the opposite manner from that in which
it did not happen.

Dull but Sincere Filler

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"And, behold, thusly was the Law formulated: Imposition of Order = escalation of
Disorder!"
[H.B.T. ; The Gospel According to Fred, 1:6]
THE FIVE ORDERS OF DISCORDIA ("THEM")
Gen. Pandaemonium, Commanding
The seeds of the ORDERS OF DISCORDIA were planted by Greyface into his early
disciples. They form the skeleton of the Aneristic Movement, which over emphasizes
the Principle of Order and is antagonistic to the necessary compliment, the
Principle of Disorder. The Orders are composed of persons all hung up on authority,
security and control; i.e., they are blinded by the Aneristic Illusion. They do not
know that they belong to Orders of Discordia. But we know.
1. The Military Order of THE KNIGHTS OF THE FIVE SIDED TEMPLE. This is for all the
soldiers and bureaucrats of the world.
2. The Political Order of THE PARTY FOR WAR ON EVIL. This is reserved for lawmakers,
censors, and like ilk.
3. The Academic Order of THE HEMLOCK FELLOWSHIP. They commonly inhabit schools and
universities, and dominate many of them.
4. The Social Order of THE CITIZENS COMMITTEE FOR CONCERNED CITIZENS. This is mostly
a grass-roots version of the more professional military, political, academic and
sacred Orders.
5. The Sacred Order of THE DEFAMATION LEAGUE. Not much is known about the D.L., but
they are very ancient and quite possibly were founded by Greyface himself. It is
known that they now have absolute domination over all organized churches in the
world. It is also believed that they have been costuming cabbages and passing them
off as human beings.
A person belonging to one or more Order is just as likely to carry a flag of the
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counter-establishment as the flag of the establishment-- just as long as it is a
flag.

Don't let THEM immanentize the Eschaton.

HIP-2-3-4, HIP-2-3-4
Go To Your Left-Right....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE FOLLOWING IS QUOTED FROM BERGAN EVANS
ON NORBERT WEINER, NUCLEAR PHYSICIST
The second concept Wiener has to establish is that of entropy.
Probability is a mathematical concept, coming from statistics. Entropy comes from
physics. It is the assertion-- established logically and experimentally-- that the
universe, by its nature, is "running down", moving toward a state of inert
uniformity devoid of form, matter, hierarchy or differentiation.
That is, in any given situation, less organization, more chaos, is
overwhelmingly more probable than tighter organization or more order.
The tendency for entropy to increase in isolated systems is expressed in the
second law of thermodynamics-- perhaps the most pessimistic and amoral formulation
in all human thought.
It applies however, to a closed system, to something that is an
isolated whole, not just a part. Within such systems there may be parts, which draw
their energy from the whole, that are moving at least temporarily, in the opposite
direction; in them order is increasing and chaos is diminishing.
The whirlpools that swirl in a direction opposed to the main current are
called "enclaves". And one of them is life, especially human life, which in a
universe moving inexorably towards chaos moves towards increased order.

IF THE TELEPHONE RINGS TODAY..... WATER IT!

-Rev. Thomas, Gnostic
N.Y.C. Cabal

Personal
PLANETARY Pi, which I discovered, is 61. It's a Time-Energy relationship
existing between sun and inner plants and I use it in arriving at many facts unknown
to science. For example, multiply nude earth's circumference 24,902.20656 by 61 and
you get the distance of moon's orbit around the earth. This is slightly less than
the actual distance because we have not yet considered earth's atmosphere. So be it.
Christopher Garth, Evanston

"I should have been a plumber."

--Albert Einstein
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Grasshopper always wrong in argument with chicken"
-Book of Chan compiled by O.P.U. sect

= ZARATHUD'S ENLIGHTENMENT =
Before he became a hermit, Zarathud was a young Priest, and took great
delight in making fools of his opponents in front of his followers.
One day Zarathud took his students to a pleasant pasture and there he
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confronted The Sacred Chao while She was contentedly grazing.
"Tell me, you dumb beast." demanded the Priest in his commanding voice, "why
don't you do something worthwhile. What is your Purpose in Life, anyway?"

Munching the tasty grass, The Sacred Chao replied "MU".*

Upon hearing this, absolutely nobody was enlightened. Primarily because
nobody could understand Chinese.

* "MU" is the Chinese ideogram for NO-THING

TAO FA TSU-DAN FIND PEACE WITH A

CONTENTED CHAO
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE SACRED CHAO
THE SACRED CHAO is the key to illumination. Devised by the Apostle Hung Mung in
ancient China, it was modified and popularized by the Taoists and is sometimes
called the YIN-YANG. The Sacred Chao is not the Yin-Yang of the Taoists. It is the
HODGE-PODGE of the Erisians. And, instead of a Podge spot on the Hodge side, it has
a PENTAGON which symbolizes the ANERISTIC PRINCIPLE, and instead of a Hodge spot on
the Podge side, it depicts the GOLDEN APPLE OF DISCORDIA to symbolize the ERISTIC
PRINCIPLE.
The Sacred Chao symbolizes absolutely everything anyone need ever know about
absolutely anything, and more! It even symbolizes everything not worth knowing,
depicted by the empty space surrounding the Hodge-Podge.
HERE FOLLOWS SOME PSYCHO-METAPHYSICS.
If you are not hot for philosophy, best just to skip it.
The Aneristic Principle is that of APPARENT ORDER; the Eristic
Principle is that of APPARENT DISORDER. Both order and disorder are man made
concepts and are artificial divisions of PURE CHAOS, which is a level deeper that is
the level of distinction making.
With our concept making apparatus called "mind" we look at reality through
the ideas-about-reality which our cultures give us. The
ideas-about-reality are mistakenly labeled "reality" and unenlightened
people are forever perplexed by the fact that other people, especially other
cultures, see "reality" differently. It is only the ideas-about-reality which
differ. Real (capital-T True) reality is a level deeper that is the level of
concept.
We look at the world through windows on which have been drawn grids
(concepts). Different philosophies use different grids. A culture is a group of
people with rather similar grids. Through a window we view chaos, and relate it to
the points on our grid, and thereby understand it. The ORDER is in the GRID. That is
the Aneristic Principle.
Western philosophy is traditionally concerned with contrasting one grid with
another grid, and amending grids in hopes of finding a perfect one that will account
for all reality and will, hence, (say unenlightened westerners) be True. This is
illusory; it is what we Erisians call the ANERISTIC ILLUSION. Some grids can be more
useful than others, some more beautiful than others, some more pleasant than others,
etc., but none can be more True than any other.
DISORDER is simply unrelated information viewed through some
particular grid. But, like "relation", no-relation is a concept. Male, like female,
is an idea about sex. To say that male-ness is "absence of
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female-ness", or vice versa, is a matter of definition and metaphysically arbitrary.
The artificial concept of no-relation is the ERISTIC PRINCIPLE.
The belief that "order is true" and disorder is false or somehow
wrong, is the Aneristic Illusion. To say the same of disorder, is the
ERISTIC ILLUSION.
The point is that (little-t) truth is a matter of definition
relative to the grid one is using at the moment, and that (capital-T)
Truth, metaphysical reality, is irrelevant to grids entirely. Pick a grid, and
through it some chaos appears ordered and some appears disordered. Pick another
grid, and the same chaos will appear differently ordered and disordered.
Reality is the original Rorschach.

Verily! So much for all that.

The words of the Foolish and those of the Wise

Are not far apart in Discordian Eyes.
(HBT; The Book of Advise, 2:1)
The PODGE of the Sacred Chao is symbolized as The Golden Apple of Discordia, which
represents the Eristic Principle of Disorder. The writing on it, "KALLISTI" is Greek
for "TO THE PRETTIEST ONE" and refers to an old myth about The Goddess. But the
Greeks had only a limited understanding of Disorder, and thought it to be a negative
principle.
The Pentagon represents the Aneristic Principle of Order and symbolizes the HODGE.
The Pentagon has several references; for one,, it can be taken to represent
geometry, one of the earliest studies of formal order to reach elaborate
development;* for another, it specifically accords with THE LAW OF FIVES.
THE TRUTH IS FIVE BUT MEN HAVE ONLY ONE NAME FOR IT.
-Patamunzo Lingananda

It is also the shape of the United States Military Headquarters, the Pentagon
Building, a most pregnant manifestation of straightjacket order resting on a firm
foundation of chaos and constantly erupting into dazzling disorder; and this
building is one of our more cherished Erisian Shrines. Also it so happens that in
times of medieval magic, the pentagon was the generic symbol for werewolves, but
this reference is not particularly intended and it should be noted that the Erisian
Movement does not discriminate against werewolves-- our membership roster is open to
persons of all races, national origins and
hobbies.

____________________________________
* The Greek geometrician PYTHAGORAS, however, was not a typical aneristic
personality. He was what we call an EXPLODED ANERISTIC and an AVATAR. We call him
Archangle Pythagoras.

[diagram of HODGE/PODGE TRANSFORMER deleted... DtC]

5. Hung Mung slapped his buttocks, hopped about, and shook his head, saying "I do
not know! I do not know!"
HBT; The Book of Gooks, Chap. 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BRUNSWICK SHRINE
In the Los Angeles suburb of Whittier there lives a bowling alley, and within this
very place, in the Year of Our Lady of Discord 3125 (1959*), Eris revealed Herself
to The Golden Apple Corps for the first time.
In honor of this Incredible Event, this Holy Place is revered as a Shrine by all
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Erisians. Once every five years, the Golden Apple Corps plans a Pilgrimage to
Brunswick Shrine as an act of Devotion, and therein to partake of No Hot Dog Buns,
and ruminate a bit about It All.
It is written that when The Corps returns to The Shrine for the fifth time five
times over, than shall the world come to an end:
IMPENDING DOOM
HAS ARRIVED
And Five Days Prior to This Occasion The Apostle The Elder
Malaclypse Shall Walk the Streets of Whittier Bearing a Sign
for All Literates to Read thereof: "DOOM", as a Warning of
Forthcoming Doom to All Men Impending. And He Shall Signal
This Event by Seeking the Poor and Distributing to Them Precious
MAO BUTTONS and Whittier Shall be Known as The Region of Thud
for These Five Days.
As a public service to all mankind and civilization in general, and to us in
particular, the Golden Apple Corps has concluded that planning such a Pilgrimage is
sufficient and that it is prudent to never get around to actually going.
___________________________________
* Or maybe it was 1958, I forget.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
STARBUCK'S PEBBLES Which
Is
Real?

*
* *

* *
Do these 5 pebbles [note: they were pebbles,originally..try doing
ASCII pebbles -DtC] REALLY form a pentagon?
Those biased by the Aneristic Illusion would say yes.
Those biased by the Eristic Illusion would say no. Criss-cross them and it is a
star.
An Illuminated Mind can see all of these, yet he does not insist that any one is
really true, or that none at all is true. Stars, and pentagons, and disorder are all
his creations and he may do with them as he wishes. Indeed, even so the concept of
number 5.
The real reality is there, but everything you KNOW about "it" is in your mind and
yours to do with as you like. Conceptualization is art, and YOU ARE THE ARTIST.

Convictions cause convicts.

Can you chart the COURSE

to Captain Valentine's SWEETHEART?
Hemlock? I never touch the stuff!

When I was 8 or 9 years old, I acquired

a split beaver magazine. You can imagine
my disappointment when,upon examination
of the photos with a microscope, I found
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that all I could see was dots.

7. Never write in pencil unless you are on a train or sick in bed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ERIS CONTEMPLATES FOR 3125 YEARS
------------------------------------Pun-jab is Sikh, Sikh, Sikh!--------
THE PARATHEO-ANAMETAMYSTIKHOOD OF ERIS ESOTERIC (POEE)
A Non-prophet Irreligious Disorganization
MALACLYPSE THE YOUNGER, KSC
Omnibenevolent Polyfather of Virginity in Gold
HIGH PRIEST
THE ERISIAN MOVEMENT HOUSE OF APOSTLES OF ERIS
(X) Official Business ( )Surreptitious Business page 1 of 1 pages
Official Discordian Document Number (if applicable): n/a
( ) the Golden Apple Corps (X)House of Disciples of Discordia
The Bureaucracy, Bureau of: DOGMAS
( ) Council of Episkoposes: Office of High Priesthood, Sect of the POEE
( ) Drawer o
________________________________________________________________________
Today's DATE: day of the Carrot yesterday's DATE: Yes -><-
Originating Cabal: Joshua Norton Cabal - San Francisco
TO: REV. RAMPANT PANCREAS, tRRoCR(a)pttM; Colorado Encrustation
Brother Ram,

Your acute observation that ERIS spelled backwards is SIRE, and your inference to
the effect that there is sexual symbolism here, have brought me to some observations
of my own,

ERIS spelled fore-part-aft-wards is RISE. And spelled inside out is REIS, which is a
unit of money, albeit Portugese-Brazilian and no longer in use. >From this it may
be concluded that Eris has usurped Eros (god of erotic love) in the eyes of those
who read backwards; which obviously made Eros sorE. Then She apparently embezzeled
the Olympian Treasury and went to Brazil; whereupon She opened a chain of
whorehouses (which certainly would get a rise from the male population). I figure it
to be this in particular because MADAM reads the same forwards and backwards. And
further, it is a term of great respect, similar to SIRE.
And so thank you for your insight, it may well be the clue to the mystery of just
where Eris has been fucking around for 3125.

FIVE TONS OF FLAX!

-><- Mal-2
Not for Circulation!

KALLISTI HAIL ERIS ALL HAIL DISCORDIA

safeguard this letter, it may be an important document
Form No.: O.D.D. IIb/ii.1-37D.VVM:3134
_______________________________________________________________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DOGMA III - HISTORY #2, "COSMOGONY"
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which is not the same as DOGMA I - METAPHYSICS #2, "COSMOLOGY" (Book of Uterus)
In the beginning there was VOID, who had two daughters; one (the
smaller) was that of BEING, named ERIS, and one (the larger) was of NON-BEING, named
ANERIS. (To this day, the fundamental truth that Aneris is the larger is apparent to
all who compare the great number of things that do not exist with the comparatively
small number of things that do exist.)
Eris had been born pregnant, and after 55 years (Goddesses have an unusually
long gestation period-- longer even than elephants), Her pregnancy bore the fruits
of many things. These things were composed of the Five Basic Elements, SWEET, BOOM,
PUNGENT, PRICKLE, and ORANGE. Aneris, however, had been created sterile. When she
saw Eris enjoying Herself so greatly with all of the existent things She had borne,
Aneris became jealous and finally one day she stole some existent things and changed
them into non-existent things and claimed them as her own children. This deeply hurt
Eris, who felt that Her sister was unjust (being so much larger anyway) to deny Her
her small joy. And so She made herself swell again to bear more things. And She
swore that no matter how many of her begotten that Aneris would steal, She would
beget more.
And, in return, Aneris swore that no matter how many existent things Eris brought
forth, she would eventually find them and turn them into non-existent things for her
own. (And to this day, things appear and disappear in this very manner.)
At first, the things brought forth by Eris were in a state of chaos and went
in every which way, but by the by She began playing with them andordered some of
them just to see what would happen. Some pretty things arosefrom this play and for
the next five zillion years She amused Herself bycreating order. And so She grouped
some things with others and some groups with others, and big groups with little
groups, and all combinations until She had many grand schemes which delighted Her.

Engrossed in establishing order, She finally one day noticed disorder

(previously not apparent because everything was chaos). There were many ways in
which chaos was ordered and many ways in which it was not.
"Hah," She thought, "Here shall be a new game."
And She taught order and disorder to play with each other in contest games,
and to take turns amusing each other. She named the side of disorder after Herself,
"ERISTIC" because Being is anarchic. And then, in a mood of sympathy for Her lonely
sister, She named the other side "ANERISTIC" which flattered Aneris and smoothed the
friction a little that was between them.
Now all of this time, Void was somewhat disturbed. He felt unsatisfied for
he had created only physical existence and physical non-existence, and had neglected
the spiritual. As he contemplated this, a great Quiet was caused and he went into a
state of Deep Sleep which lasted for 5 eras. At the end of this ordeal, he begat a
brother to Eris and Aneris, that of SPIRITUALITY, who had no name at all.
When the sisters heard this, they both confronted Void and pleaded that he
not forget them, his First Born. And so Void decreed thus:
That this brother, having no form, was to reside with Aneris in
Non-Being and then to leave her and, so that he might play with order and disorder,
reside with Eris in Being. But Eris became filled with sorrow when She heard this
and then began to weep.
"Why are you despondent?" demanded Void, "Your new brother will have his
share with you." "But Father, Aneris and I have been arguing, and she will take him
from me when she discovers him, and cause him to return to Non-Being." "I
see,"replied Void, "Then I decree the following:
"When your brother leaves the residence of Being, he shall not reside again
in Non-Being, but shall return to Me, Void, from whence he came. You girls may
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bicker as you wish, but My son is your Brother and We are all of Myself."
And so it is that we, as men, do not exist until we do; and then it is that we play
with our world of existent things, and order and disorder them, and so it shall be
that non-existence shall take us back from existence and that nameless spirituality
shall return to Void, like a tired child home from a very wild circus.
"Everything is true - Everything is permissible!" -><-
-Hassan i Sabbah

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is serenity in Chaos.
Seek ye the Eye of the Hurricane.

A POEE MYSTEREE RITE - THE SRI SYADASTIAN CHANT

Written, in some sense, by Mal-2
Unlike a song, chants are not sung but chanted. This particular one is much enhanced
by the use of a Leader to chant the Sanskrit alone, with all participants chanting
the English. it also behooves one to be in a quiet frame of mind and to be sitting
in a still position, perhaps The Buttercup Position. It also helps if one is
absolutely zonked out of his gourd.
RUB-A-DUB-DUB
O! Hail Eris. Blessed St. Hung Mung.
SYA-DASTI
O! Hail Eris. Blessed St. Mo-jo.
SYA-DAVAK-TAVYA
O! Hail Eris. Blessed St. Zara-thud.
SYA-DASTI SYA-NASTI
O! Hail Eris. Blessed St. Elder Mal.
SYA-DASTI KAVAK-TAV-YASKA
O! Hail Eris. Blessed St. Gu-lik.
SYA-DASTI, SYA-NASTI, SYA-DAVAK-TAV-YASKA
O! Hail Eris. All Hail Dis-cord-ia.
RUB-A-DUB-DUB
It is then repeated indefinitely, or for the first two thousand miles, which ever
comes first.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Classification of Saints
1. SAINT SECOND CLASS
To be reserved for all human beings deserving of Sainthood. Example: St.Norton the
First, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico (his grave near San
Francisco is an official POEE shrine.)
THE FOLLOWING FOUR CATAGORIES ARE RESERVED FOR FICTIONAL BEINGS WHO, NOT BEING
ACTUAL, ARE MORE CAPABLE OF PERFECTION.
2. LANCE SAINT
Good Saint material and definitely inspiring.
Example: St. Yossarian (Catch 22, Heller)
3. LIEUTENANT SAINT
Excellent Goddess-Saturated Saint.
Example: St. Quixote (Don Quixote, Cervantes)

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4. BRIGADIER SAINT
Comparable to Lt/Saint but has an established following (fictional or
factual). Example: St. Bokonon (Cat's Cradle, Vonnegut)

5. FIVE STAR SAINT

The Five Apostles of Eris.
Note: It is an Old Erisian Tradition to never agree with each other about Saints.

Everybody understands Mickey Mouse. Few understand Herman Hesse. Only a hand full
understood Albert Einstein. And nobody understood Emperor Norton.
-Slogan of NORTON CABAL - S.F.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TESTS BY DOCTORS PROVE IT POSSIBLE TO SHRINK
=ON OCCULTISM=
Magicians, especially since the Gnostic and the Quabala influences, have
sought higher consciousness through assimilation and control of universal
opposites-- good/evil, positive/negative, male/female, etc. But due to the steadfast
pomposity of ritualism inherited from the ancient methods of the shaman, occultists
have been blinded to what is perhaps the two most important pairs of apparent or
earth-plane opposites: ORDER/DISORDER and SERIOUS/HUMOROUS.
Magicians, and progeny the scientists, have always taken themselves and their
subject in an orderly and sober manner, thereby disregarding an essential
metaphysical balance. when magicians learn to approach philosophy as a malleable art
instead of an immutable Truth, and learn to appreciate the absurdity of man's
endeavours, then they will be able to pursue their art with a lighter heart, and
perhaps gain a clearer understanding of it, and therefore gain more effective magic.
CHAOS IS ENERGY.
This is an essential challenge to the basic concepts of all western occult thought,
and POEE is humbly pleased to offer the first breakthrough in occultism since
Solomon.

"Study Demonology with an Enemy This Sunday"

sez Thom,Gnos
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
POEE ASTROLOGICAL SYSTEM
1) Om your next birthday, return to the place of your birth and, at precisely
midnight, noting your birth time and date of observation, count all visible stars.

2) When you have done this, write to me and I'll tell you what to do next.

The Eminent 16th Century Mathemetician Cardan so detested Luther that he altered
Luther's birthdate to give him an unfavorable horoscope.

The theorem to be proved is that if any even number of people take seats at random
around a circular table bearing place cards with their names, it is always possible
to rotate the table until at least two people are opposite their cards. Assume the
contrary. Let N be the even number of persons, and let their names be replaced by
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the integers 0 to N-1 "in such a way that the place cards are numbered in sequence
around the table. If a delegate D originally sits down to a place card P, then the
table must be rotated R steps before he is correctly seated, where R=P-D, unless
this is negative, in which case R=P-D+N. The collection of values of D (and of P)
for all delegates is clearly the integers 0 to N-1,each taken once, but so also is
the collection of values of R, or else two delegates would be correctly seated at
the same time. Summing the above equations, one for each delegate, gives S-S+NK,
where K is an integer and S=N(N-1)/2, the sum of the integers from 0 to N-1. It
follows that N=2K+1, an odd number." This contradicts the original assumption.
"I actually solved this problem some years ago," Rybicki writes, "for a
different but completely equivalent problem, a generalization of the nonattacking
'eight queens' problem for a cylindrical chessboard where diagonal attack is
restricted to diagonals slanting in one direction only.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE CURSE OF GREYFACE AND THE
INTRODUCTION OF NEGATIVISM
To choose order over disorder, or disorder over order, is to accept a trip
composed of both the creative and the destructive. But to choose the creative over
the destructive is an all-creative trip composed of both order and disorder. To
accomplish this, one need only accept creative disorder along with, and equal to,
creative order, and also willing to reject destructive order as an undesirable equal
to destructive disorder.
The Curse of Greyface included the division of life into
order/disorder as the essential positive/negative polarity, instead of
building a game foundation with creative/destructive as the essential
positive/negative. He has thereby caused man to endure the destructive aspects of
order and has prevented man from effectively participating in the creative uses of
disorder. Civilization reflects this unfortunate division.
POEE proclaims that the other division is preferable, and we work toward the
proposition that creative disorder, like creative order, is possible and desirable;
and that destructive order, like destructive
disorder, is unnecessary and undesirable.
Seek the Sacred Chao - therein you will find the foolishness of all
ORDER/DISORDER. They are the same!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ERISIAN MAGIC RITUAL - THE TURKEY CURSE
Revealed by the Apostle Dr. Van Van Mojo as a specific counter to the evil Curse of
Greyface, THE TURKEY CURSE is here passed on to Erisians everywhere for their just
protection.
The Turkey Curse works. It is firmly grounded on the fact that Greyface and his
followers absolutely require an aneristic setting to function and that a timely
introduction of eristic vibrations will neutralize their foundation. The Turkey
Curse is designed solely to counteract negative aneristic vibes and if introduced
into a neutral or positive aneristic setting (like a poet working out word rhythms)
it will prove harmless, or at worst, simply annoying. It is not designed for use
against negative eristic vibes, although it can be used as an eristic vehicle to
introduce positive vibes into a misguided eristic setting. In this instance, it
would be the responsibility of the Erisian Magician to manufacture the positive
vibrations if results are to be achieved. CAUTION- all magic is powerful and
requires courage and integrity on the part of the magician. This ritual, if misused,
can backfire. Positive motivation is essential for self-protection.
TO PERFORM THE TURKEY CURSE:
Take a foot stance as if you were John L. Sullivan preparing for fisticuffs. Face
the particular greyfaced you wish to short-circuit, or towards the direction of the
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negative aneristic vibration that you wish to neutralize. Begin waving your arms in
any elaborate manner and make motions with your hands as though you were Mandrake
feeling up a sexy giantess. Chant, loudly and clearly:
GOBBLE, GOBBLE, GOBBLE, GOBBLE, GOBBLE!
The results will be instantly apparent.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A PRIMER FOR ERISIAN EVANGELISTS by Lord Omar

The SOCRATIC APPROACH is most successful when confronting the

ignorant. The "socratic approach" is what you call starting an argument by asking
questions. You approach the innocent and simply ask "Did you know that God's name is
ERIS, and that He is a girl?" If he should answer "Yes." then he probably is a
fellow Erisian and so you can forget it. If he says "No." then quickly proceed to:
THE BLIND ASSERTION and say "Well, He Is a girl, and His name is ERIS!"
Shrewedly observe if the subject is convinced. If he is, swear him into the Legion
of Dynamic Discord before he changes his mind. If he does not appear convinced, then
proceed to:
THE FAITH BIT: "But you must have Faith! All is lost without Faith! I sure
feel sorry for you if you don't have Faith." And then add:
THE ARGUMENT BY FEAR and in an ominous voice ask "Do you know what happens
to those who deny Goddess?" If he hesitates, don't tell him that he will surely be
reincarnated as a precious Mao Button and distributed to the poor in the Region of
Thud (which would be a mean thing to say), just shake your head sadly and, while
wiping a tear from your eye, go to:
THE FIRST CLAUSE PLOY wherein you point to all of the discord and confusion
in the world and exclaim "Well who the hell do you think did all of this, wise guy?"
If he says, "Nobody, just impersonal forces." then quickly respond with:
THE ARGUMENT BY SEMANTICAL GYMNASTICS and say that he is absolutely right,
and that those impersonal forces are female and that Her name is ERIS. If he,
wonder of wonders, still remains obstinate, then finally resort to:
THE FIGURATIVE SYMBOLISM DODGE and confide that sophisticated people like
himself recognize that Eris is a Figurative Symbol for an Ineffable Metaphysical
Reality and that The Erisian Movement is really more like a poem than like a science
and that he is liable to be turned into a Precious Mao Button and Distributed to The
Poor in The Region of Thud if he does not get hip. Then put him on your mailing
list.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SINK
A GAME
by Ala Hera, E.L., N.S.; RAYVILLE APPLE PANTHERS
SINK is played by Discordians and people of much ilk.
PURPOSE: To sink object or an object or a thing...
in water or mud or anything you; can sink something in.
RULES: Sinking is allowd in any manner. To date, ten pound chunks of mud were used
to sink a tobacco can. It is preferable to have a pit of water or a hole to drop
things in. But rivers - bays - gulfs - I dare say even oceans can be used.

TURNS are taken thusly: who somever gets the junk up and in the air first.
DUTY: It shall be the duty of all persons playing "SINK" to help find more objects
to sink, once; one object is sunk.

UPON SINKING: The sinked shall yell "I sank it!" or something equally as thoughtful.
NAMING OF OBJECTS is some times desirable. The object is named by the finder of such
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object and whoever sinks it can say for instance, "I sunk Columbus, Ohio!"

"In a way, we're a kind of Peace Corps."

- Maj. A. Lincoln German, Training Director of the
Green Beret Special Warfare School, Ft. Bragg, N.C.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Joint Effort of the Discordian Society
POST OFFICE LIBERATION FRONT
Export License Not Required
THIS IS A CHAIN LETTER.
WITHIN THE NEXT FIFTY-FIVE DAYS YOU WILL RECEIVE THIRTY-ELEVEN HUNDRED POUNDS OF
CHAINS!
In the meantime - plant your seeds.

If a lot of people who receive this letter plant a few seeds and a lot of people
receive this letter, then a lot of seeds will get planted.
Plant your seeds.

In parks. On lots. Public flower beds. In remote places. At City Hall.

Wherever. Whenever. Or start a plantation in your closet (but read up on it first
for that). For casual planting, its best to soak them in water for a day and plant
in a bunch of about 5, about half an inch deep. Don't worry much about the weather,
they know when the weather is wrong and will try to wait for nature. Don't soak them
if its wintertime. Seeds are a very hearty life form and strongly desire to grow and
flourish. But some of them need people's help to get started. Plant your seeds.
Make a few copies of this letter (5 would be nice) and send them to friends of
yours. Try to mail to different cities and states, even different countries. If you
would rather not, then please pass this copy on to someone and perhaps they would
like to.

THERE IS NO TRUTH to the legend that if you throw away a chain letter then all sorts
of catastrophic, abominable, and outrageous disasters will happen. Except, of
course, from your seed's point of view.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q. "How come a woodpecker doesn't bash its brains out?" A. Nobody has ever explained
that.

Mary Jane says "Plant Your Seeds. Keep Prices Down."

"And God said, behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the
face of the earth... to you it shall be for meat."
-Genesis 1:29

[graphical stuff deleted -DtC]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions
Have a friendly class talk. Permit each child to tell any part of the unit on
"Courtesy in the Corridors and on the Stairs" that he enjoyed. Name some causes of
disturbance in your school.

Chapter 1, THE EPISTLE TO THE PARANOIDS

--Lord Omar
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1. Ye have locked yerselves up in cages of fear--and, behold, do ye now
complain that ye lack FREEDOM!
2. Ye have cast out yer brothers for devils and now complain ye, lamenting, that
ye've been left to fight alone.
3. All Chaos was once yer kingdom; verily, held ye dominion over the entire
Pentaverse, but today ye was sore afraid in dark corners, nooks, and sink holes.

4. O how the darknesses do crowd up, one against the other, in ye hearts! What fear
ye more that what ye have wroughten?

5. Verily, verily I say unto you, not all the Sinister Ministers of the
Bavarian Illuminati, working together in multitudes, could so entwine the land with
tribulation as have yer baseless warnings.

DESPITE strong evidence to the contrary, persistant rumor has it that it was Mr.
Momomoto's brother who swallowed Mr. Momomoto in the summer of '44.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Advertisement
________________________________________________________________________

BAVARIAN ILLUMINATI
Founded by Hassan i Sabbah, 1090 A.D. (5090 A.L., 4850 A.M.)
Reformed by Adam Weishaupt, 1776 A.D. (5776 A.L., 5536 A.M.)
THE ANCIENT ILLUMINATED SEERS OF BAVARIA
invite YOU to join
The World's Oldest and Most Successful Conspiracy

Have you ever SECRETLY WONDERED WHY IS there an ESOTERIC ALLEGORY con-
The GREAT PYRAMID has FIVE sides cealed in the apparently innocent
(counting the bottom)? legend of Snow White and The Seven
Dwarfs?

WHAT IS the TRUE secret SINISTER WHY do scholarly anthropologists

REALITY lying behind the ANCIENT TURN PALE with terror at the
Aztec Legend of QUETZLCOATL? very MENTION of the FORBIDDEN
name YOG-SOTHOTH?
WHO IS the MAN in ZURICH WHAT REALLY DID HAPPEN
that some SWEAR is LEE TO AMBROSE BIERCE?
HARVEY OSWALD?

If your I.Q. is over 150, and you have $3,125.00 (plus handling), you might be
eligible for a trial membership in the A.I.S.B. If you think you qualify, put the
money in a cigar box and bury it in your backyard. One of our Underground Agents
will contact you shortly.
I DARE YOU!
TELL NO ONE! ACCIDENTS HAVE A STRANGE WAY OF HAPPENING TO PEOPLE WHO TALK TOO
MUCH ABOUT THE BAVARIAN ILLUMINATI
May we warn you against imitations! Ours is the original and genuine
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"Nothing is true. Everything is Permissible"

- Hassan i Sabbah

NIL
CARBORUNDUM
ILLEGITIMO
_________________________________________________________________________
"Illuminate the Opposition!"
-- Adam Weishaupt,
Grand Primus Illuminatus
Official
Bavarian Illuminati
"Ewige Blumenkraft!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

INTER-OFFICE WIRE SENT

THE ANCIENT ILLUMINATED SEERS OF BAVARIA - VIGILANCE LODGE
Mad Malik, Hauptscheissmeister; Resident for Norton Cabal

DISCORDIAN SOCIETY SUPER SECRET CRYPTOGRAPHIC CYPHER CODE

Of possible interest to all Discordians, this information is herewith released
from the vaults of A.I.S.B., under the auspices of Episkopos Dr. Mordecai
Malignatius, KNS.
SAMPLE MESSAGE: ("HAIL ERIS")
CONVERSATION:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
STEP 1. Write out the message (HAIL ERIS) and put all the vowels at the end
(HLRSAIEI)
STEP 2. Reverse order (IEIASRLH)
STEP 3. Convert to numbers (9-5-9-1-19-18-12-8)
STEP 4. Put into numerical order (1-5-8-9-9-12-18-19)
STEP 5. Convert back to letters (AEHIILRS)
This cryptographic cypher code is GUARANTEED TO BE 100% UNBREAKABLE.
BEWARE! THE PARANOIDS ARE WATCHING YOU!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is a letter from A.I.S.B. to POEE:
________________________________________________________________________
The World's Oldest And Most Successful Conspiracy
BAVARIAN ILLUMINATI
Founded by Hassan i Sabbah, 1090 A.D. (5090 A.L., 4850 A.M.)
Reformed by Adam Weishaupt, 1776 A.D. (5776 A.L., 5536 A.M.)
( )Official Business (X) Surreptitious Business
From: MAD MALIK Hauptscheissmeister
Dear Brother Mal-2,

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In response to your request for unclassified agitprop to be inserted
in the new edition of PRINCIPIA, hope the following will be of use. And please
stop bothering us with your incessant letters!
Episkopos Mordecai, Keeper of the Notary Sojac, informs me that you
are welcome to reveal that our oldest extant records show us to have been
fully established in Atlantis, circa 18,000 B.C., under Kull, the galley slave who
ascended to the Throne of Valusia. Revived by Pelias of Koth, circa 10,000 B.C.
Possibly it was he who taught the inner-teachings to Conan of Cimmeria after Conan
became King of Aquilonia. First brought to the western hemisphere by Conan and
taught to Mayan priesthood (Conan is Quetzlcoatl). That was 4 Ahua, 8 Cumhu, Mayan
date. Revived by Abdul Alhazred in his infamous Al Azif, circa 800 A.D. (Al Azif
translated into Latin by Olaus Wormius, 1132 A.D., as The Necronomicon.) In 1090
A.D. was the founding of The Ismaelian Sect (Hashishim) by Hassan i Sabbah, with
secret teachings based on Alhazred, Pelias and Kull. Founding of the Illuminated
Ones of Bavaria, by Adam Weishaupt, on May 1, 1776. He based it on the others.
Weishaupt brought it to the United States during the period that he was
impersonating George Washington; and it was he who was the Man in Black who gave the
design for The Great Seal to Jefferson in the garden that night. The Illuminated
tradition is now, of course, in the hands of The Ancient Illuminated Seers of
Bavaria (A.I.S.B.), headquartered here in the United States.
Our teachings are not, need I remind you, available for publication.
No harm, though, in admitting that some of them can be found disguised in
Joyce's Finnegan's Wake, Burroughs Nova Express, the King James translation of the
Holy Bible (though not the Latin or Hebrew), and The Blue Book. Not to speak of Ben
Franklin's private papers (!), but we are still suppressing
those.
Considering current developments--you know the ones I speak of--it
has been decided to reveal a few more of our front organizations. Your
publication is timely, so mention that in addition to the old fronts like the
Masons, the Rothchild Banks, and the Federal Reserve System, we now have
significant control of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (since Hoover died
last year, but that is still secret), the Students for a Democratic Society,
the Communist Party USA, the American Anarchist Assn., the Junior Chamber of
Commerce, the Black Lotus Society, the Republican Party, the John Dillinger
Die For You Society, and the Camp Fire Girls. It is still useful to continue
the sham of the Birchers that we are seeking world domination; so do not
reveal that political and economic control was generally complete several
generations ago and that we are just playing with the world for a while until
civilization advances sufficiently for phase five.
In fact you might still push Vennard's The Federal Reserve Hoax:
"Since the Babylonian Captivity there has existed a determined,
behind-the-scenes under-the-table, atheistic, satanic, anti-Christian
force--worshipers of Mamon--whose undying purpose is world control through the
control of Money. July 1, 1776 (correct that to May 1st, Vennard can't get anything
right) the Serpent raised its head in the under-ground secret society known as the
Illuminati, founded by Adam Weishaupt. There is considerable documentary evidence to
prove all revolutions, wars, depressions, strikes and chaos stem from this source."
Etc., etc., you know the stuff.
The general location of our US HQ, incidentally, has been nearly
exposed; and so we will be moving for the first time this century (what a
drag!). If you want, you can reveal that it is located deep in the labyrinth
of sewers beneath Dealy Plaza in Dallas, and is presided over by The Dealy
Lama. Inclosed are some plans for several new potential locations. Please
review and add any comments you feel pertinent, especially regarding the
Eristic propensity of the Pentagon site.
Oh, and we have some good news for you, Brother Mal! You know that
Zambian cybernetics genius who joined us? Well, he has secretly co-ordinated
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the FBI computers with the Zurich System and our theoriticians are in ecstasy
over the new information coming out. Look, if you people out there can keep
from blowing yourselves up for only two more generations, then we will finally
have it. After 20,000 years, Kull's dream will be realized! We can hardly
believe it. But the outcome is certain, given the time. Our grandchildren,
Mal! If civilization makes it through this crises, our grandchildren will live in a
world of authentic freedom and authentic harmony and authentic
satisfaction. I hope I'm alive to see it, Mal, success is in our grasp. Twenty
thousand years....!

Ah, I get spaced just thinking about it. Good luck on the Principia.
Ewige Blumenkraft! HAIL ERIS.

Love,
MAD MALIK

PS: PRIVATE - Not for publication in The Principia.

We are returning to the two Zwack Cyphers for classified communications.
Herewith your copy. DO NOT DIVULGE THIS INFORMATION - SECURITY E-5.
[note: Graphic Cypher deleted DtC]
________________________________________________________________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Part Five The Golden Secret

NONSENSE AS SALVATION
The human race will begin solving it's problems on the day that it ceases
taking itself so seriously.
To that end, POEE proposes the countergame of NONSENSE AS SALVATION. Salvation from
an ugly and barbarous existence that is the result of taking order so seriously and
so seriously fearing contrary orders and disorder, that GAMES are taken as more
important than LIFE; rather than taking LIFE AS THE ART OF PLAYING GAMES.
To this end, we propose that man develop his innate love for disorder, and
play with The Goddess Eris. And know that it is a joyful play, and that
thereby CAN BE REVOKED THE CURSE OF GREYFACE.
If you can master nonsense as well as you have already learned to master
sense, then each will expose the other for what it is: absurdity. From that
moment of illumination, a man begins to be free regardless of his
surroundings. He becomes free to play order games and change them at will. He
becomes free to play disorder games just for the hell of it. He becomes free to play
neither or both. And as the master of his own games, he plays without fear, and
therefore without frustration, and therefore with good will in his soul and love in
his being.
And when men become free then mankind will be free.
May you be free of The Curse of Greyface.
May the Goddess put twinkles in your eyes.
May you have the knowledge of a sage,
and the wisdom of a child.
Hail Eris. T'AI
___ ___
___ ___
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___ ___
_________
_________
_________

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THUS ENDS PRINCIPIA DISCORDIA
This being the 4th Edition, March 1970, San Francisco; a revision of
the 3rd Edition of 500 copies, whomped together in Tampa 1969; which revised
the 2nd Edition of 100 copies from Los Angeles 1969; which was a revision of
"PRINCIPIA DISCORDIA or HOW THE WEST WAS LOST" published in New Orleans in
1965 in five copies, which were mostly lost.

If you think the PRINCIPIA is just a ha-ha, then go read it again.

(K) ALL RIGHTS REVERSED - Reprint what you like
Published by POEE Head Temple - San Francisco
" On The Future Site of Beautiful
San Andreas Canyon"
Office of My High Reverence
Malaclypse the Younger KSC
OPOVIG HIGH PRIEST POEE
KALLISTI
THE LAST WORD
The foregoing document was revealed to Mal-2 by the Goddess Herself through
many consultations with Her within his Pineal Gland. It is guaranteed to be
the Word of Goddess. However, it is only fair to state that Goddess doesn't
always say the same thing to each listener, and that other Episkoposes are
sometimes told quite different things in their Revelations, which are also the Word
of Goddess. Consequently, if you prefer a Discordian Sect other than
POEE, then none of these Truths are binding, and it is a rotten shame that you have
read all the way down to the very last word.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DISCORDIAN SOCIETY
Dedicated to an Advanced
Understanding of the Paraphysical
Manifestations of Everyday Chaos
DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A LOPSIDED PINEAL GLAND?
Well, probably you do have one, and it's unfortunate because lopsided Pineal
Glands have perverted the Free Spirit of Man, and subverted Life into a
frustrating, unhappy and hopeless mess.
Fortunately, you have before you a handbook that will show you how to discover
your salvation through ERIS, THE GODDESS OF CONFUSION.
It will advise you how to balance your Pineal Gland and reach spiritual
Illumination. And it will teach you how to turn your miserable mess into a
beautiful, joyful, and splendid one.
POEE is a bridge from
PISCES to AQUARIUS

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
the Words of the Illuminated Rated X... NATURALLY

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Why are we Here ?
Have you ever secretly
wondered why the Great
Pyramid has five sides? -
counting the bottom?
GRAND OPERA
"Wherefore my bowels shall sound
like a harp for Moab, and mine
inner parts for Kirharesh."
-Isaiah 16:11
SUPPRESSED KNOWLEDGE
HYGIENE
The Lord promised: "Therefore,
behold, I will bring evil upon
the house of Jeroboam and will
cut off from Jeroboam him that
pisseth against the wall..."
-I Kings 14:10 (This
unsanitary practice caused
serious erosion of the mud
walls)

Face to fact with the mighty forces and elements of nature, the thoughtful man
fearlessly contemplates his place in the great cosmic scheme.
-><- POEE -><-
YES, I'd like to know the Five Simple Actions that will turn Me into a "Mental
Wizard" in a Single Weekend.
Warning!
Prolonged use in a darkened room may induce hallucinations or trigger
undesired side effects. Should not be used in the presence of persons subject
to epilepsy.
THIS MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT GUIDE IN YOUR LIFE!

-THE GODDESS ERIS PREVAILS-

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SPECIAL AFTERWORD
to the Loompanics Edition of PRINCIPIA DISCORDIA
G.H. Hill, San Francisco, 1979
All Rites Reversed (K) Reprint What You Like

INTERVIEW WITH NORTON CABAL

by Gypsie Skripto, Special Correspondent
It has been ten years since I net the mysterious Malaclypse the
Younger. I was free lancing for the underground papers and went to POEE Hear
Temple at 555 Battery Street to try for an interview.
I found him in the Temple PO Box busy wrapping up the new Fourth
Edition of PRINCIPIA. He seemed impatient with me, insisting that he didn't
have the time or inclination for foolish questions from reporters. Undaunted,
I burst out with questions like whether he preferred Panama Red or Acapulco
Gold and how the fuck did we manage to fit inside of a tiny post office box
and other things apropos a naive young semiliterate dropout hippy writer. He
asked me if I wanted to drop mescaline and fuck all night and said he knew how to
turn himself into a unicorn and there might be room for a tiny interview on the
cover of the PRINCIPIA if I wanted to work for the GREATER POOP so I said sure, OK,
I've never dropped mescaline in a post office box before.
It turned out I was among the last to see Malaclypse. As subsequent
issues of GREATER POOP revealed, he was to disappear and POEE business was to be
assumed by his students at Norton Cabal. Professor Ignotum P. Ignotius,
Department of Comparative Realities, was assigned the Trust of the POEE Scruple and
Rev. Dr. Occupant became Keeper of the Box. The newly published copies of PRINCIPIA
were distributed by Mad Malik, Block Disorganizer, who had distribution contacts
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with the Aluminum Bavariati. Practical relations
remained in the hands of concept artist G. Hill.
When the 1000 PRINCIPIAS were gone the GREATER POOP stopped
publishing, Head Temple closed down and the Cabal just seemed to evaporate.
Finally even the box was closed. But over the years I noticed that copies were still
circulating, and that independent Discordian Cabal would occasionally pop out of
nowhere (and still do ). And I would wonder what ever happened to Malaclypse.
When I read the ILLUMINATUS trilogy I resolved to again find and
interview the denizens of Joshua Norton Cabal of the Discordian Society.
* * *
As I cabled over Nob to San Francisco's Station 'O' Post Office I
couldn't help but wonder at Goddess' hand in assigning street addresses to Her
outposts. Mal2 had told me that Good Lord Omar always filed everything under "O" for
OUT OF FILE.
"Maya is marvelous" I was thinking when I rapped on the little metal
door and was greeted warmly by a huge beard who introduced himself as
Professor Ignotius. He ushered me into a spacious wood paneled and tapestry
hung parlor where three others were laughing and passing around a wine jug.
The sunny one in a tunic was the Reverend Doctor Occupant, the trim khaki and
jeans was Mad Malik and the wine jug claimed to be Hill. I got the recorder
on....
GYPSIE SKRIPTO [in response to a question]: ...1969 but only briefly. I guess
I missed you guys.
MAD MALIK: No wonder, he was pretty much a one man show then. We were just his
students and were usually off on errands. You worked for the POOP?
Gypsie: Well, for one night anyway. The interview is in the PRINCIPIA.

REV. DR. OCCUPANT: Malik was the only one he would ever let write for the POOP or
get on the letterhead.
Gypsie: Did you [Malik] have higher authority than the others?

Malik: No, [but I was allowed to speak in the POOP] because [Malaclypse the
Younger] hated politics. He was infuriated with Johnson and nixon over Viet
Nam because it was turning the renaissance into a political revolution and was
stealing his sacred thunder. So he trained me in Zenarchy, which he learned from
Omar, and I was the official anarcho-pacifist for the Cabal. Also I was liaison to
The Ancient Illuminated Seers of Bavaria, the Chicago Discordians. Later Omar
activated the Hung Mung Cong Tong and ELF, on zenarchist principles, and also
Operation Mindfuck. I was also into those. Though at the time I was masquerading in
GREATER POOP as a created cabbage to throw off the FBI.

Gypsie [to Hill]: Since you wrote it, I take it you are an anarchist?
G.H. Hill: Since then I have given up anarchy. Too many rules-- hating the
government and all that stuff.
IGNOTUM PER IGNOTIUS: It's like hating your own fantasies.
Malik: [Anarchy] is also standing up and proceeding forward, fantasy rule or
not. The condition is the same.
Occupant: Brother needs some wine!

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Malik: We have had this argument before, Reverend Doctor Brother. But wine
before platitudes, fill it up.
Gypsie [to Hill]: And pacifism?
Hill: I'm not sure I ever was one. Mal2 was not, Malik was. Personally I
accepted self defense yet I could never reconcile that with the ideal. I
finally gave up on that one too. Actually I just gave up on idealism.
Ignotius: Idealism lives with rules. Realism lives with rocks.
Hill: Yeah. I get along better with rocks.
Malik: Mal2 once told me that pacifism was a dilemma. If everybody was a
pacifist then everything would be perfect. But nobody is going to be a
pacifist unless I am first. But if I am and somebody else is not, then I get
screwed. He said that there were five choices under that circumstance. The
first was napalming farmers and the second was executing your parents. The
third was hypocrisy, the fourth was cowardice, and the fifth was to swallow
the dilemma. Zenarchists are trained in dilemma swallowing.
Occupant: So are other Erisians, like POEE.
Ignotius: That is characteristic of the Discordian perspective.

Hill: But of course training contradicts Discordian principles.

Malik: Oh so what. Contradictions are nothing to Discordians.
Occupant: Dilemma, Schilmemma. [to Gypsie]: What do you think of this, pretty
ma'am? We don't get to hear your thoughts.
Gypsie: I'm reporting now, you talk.
Occupant: Later then?
Gypsie: Perhaps. Later.
Occupant: You are smiling.
Gypsie: Hey, guy, later. [to Hill]: Doesn't this leave you a little schizy?
Hill: It's OK, I'm half Gemini.
Gypsie: What's the other half?
Hill: Taurus. That makes me a stubborn schizy.
Ignotius: I'm a Whale.
Occupant: I choose Satyr.
Malik: Spirits don't have signs.
Hill: A character can have a sign if I want it so.
Occupant: Well I can have a sign if I want to and screw both of you.
Malik: Come on Greg, you just think that we are your characters....

Occupant: You were inhabited by Malaclypse the Younger. He caused you to

create roles and those roles are being performed by us spirits.

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Ignotius: A perfectly normal pagan relationship.
Hill: Well you can look at it like that if you want to, but I created Mal2 to my
specifications just as I conceived all the rest of you.

Occupant: You didn't invent Eris. She caused you to think you created the
spirit of Malaclypse.
Hill: Oh bull! Besides, I changed her so much the Greeks would never recognize her.

Occupant: That's what She wanted!

Ignotius: Deities change things around all the time.
Malik: What you don't realize is that a spirit has a self identity.
Hill: Nope. A spirit is a product of definition and the one who is doing the
defining around here is me. Your identity is what I say it is. Just to prove
it, I'm going to change your name.
SINISTER DEXTER: It's OK with me. Fate is fate. I never much liked "Mad Malik"
anyway.
Ignotius: Besides people confused him with Joe Malik in ILLUMINATUS.

Dexter: I sort of enjoyed the confusion part.

Occupant: Doesn't prove anything anyway.
Gypsie: That name sounds familiar. Where is it from?
Hill: Its a name I came up with in the old days and never used it much. Its on page
38 of the PRINCIPIA referring to Vice President Spiro Agnew. I always
thought I invented it but now it sounds like a Stan Freberg name now that I
think about it. It may have stuck in my preconscious memory from early TV.
Gypsie: Can you use it without his permission?
Hill: If it is his? I don't know. I hope so. it means "left right" in Latin
and is a perfect name for a libertarian anarchist. Actually in my kind of art
the question of what can I use freely and what can I not is a very tricky
problem.
Gypsie: How do you mean?
Hill: Well, take a collage for example. Like the early one on page 36 of the
PRINCIPIA. Each little piece was extracted from some larger work created by
some other artist and published and maybe copyrighted. I find them in
newspapers and magazines mostly. Often from ads. With a collage you select and
extract from your environment and then assemble into an original relationship.
The PRINCIPIA itself is a collage. A conceptual collage. All of it happens
simultaneously. But visually it is a montage, passing through time, like a
book does.
There is a lot of pirated stuff in the PRINCIPIA, especially in the margins.
But also I sympathize with artists who must own and sell their works to earn a
living. Art, like knowledge, should be free fodder for everyone. But it isn't It is
perplexing.
Gypsie: Where did all the things in PRINCIPIA come from?
Hill: Well, a full answer would take another book in itself. Most of the
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writing credited to a name is a true person and almost always a different name means
a different person. Most of the non-credited, you know, Malaclypse, text is mine
although some things credited to either Mal2 or Omar were actually co-written and
passed back and forth and rewritten by each of us. The marginalia, dingbats, and
pasted in titles and heads and things came from
wherever I found them--some of which is original but uncredited Discordian
output, like the page head on 12 and other pages which is from a series of
satiric memo pads from Our Peoples Underworld Cabal. All page layout is mine
and some whole graphics like the Sacred Chao and the Hodge Podge Transformer
are mine but mostly I just found stuff and integrated it. Mostly I did
concept, say 50% of the writing, 10% of the graphics, all of the layout.
Gypsie: Specifically, what are some of the sources?
Hill: Weel, the poem on the front cover is by Walt Kelly and was spoken by one of
his characters in Pogo. The government seals starting from page 1 are from a book of
sample seals from the U.S. Government Printing Office. Western Union on page 6 got
into the act because I used to be a teletype operator and had access to blank forms.
Rubber stamps came from all over the place and some, like the apple on page 27, I
carved myself. A few I ordered to my
specification, like on page 1. The quote on the top of page 8 might be from
Barnum, I'm not sure. The jumping man on page 12 is from an advertisement. I
recognize the style--a popular commercial artist-- but I don't know his name. The
Chinese on the page is a grocery ad, I think. The Norton money on page 14 is
historic,plus my little additions. The apple on page 17,as well as the triangle on
23 and the Sacred Chao on 50 are, believe it or not, pasteups of mimeographs, from
Seattle Cabal. That group produced the best damn mimeography I've ever seen. The
Lick Here Box on page 23 is one of many tidbits making the rounds in
alternative/underground newspapers in those days. Trip 5 page header on 29 was a
chapter title in one of Tim Leary's books. The Knight on the bull with the TV
antenna on his helmet on page 46 came from a very artistic magazine called Horseshit
and put out by two brothers from Long Beach. I don't remember their names. Wonderful
magazine.
Occupant: Eris told Mal2 what to use and where to find it.
Hill: Yeah, in a way that is right. That is why my name does not appear
anywhere on the PRINCIPIA and why it was published with a broken
copyright--Reprint What You Like. I knew I was taking liberties and didn't
want my intentions to be misunderstood. It was an experiment and was intended
to be an underground work and that involves a different set of ethics than
commercial work.
Gypsie: There are no real names at all?
Hall: Oh, some. Camden Benares is a real name because he legally changed his
original name to his Holy Name. Also, instead of using Mordecai Malignatus I used
Bob Wilson's real name on page 12 because Werewolf Bridge was a work
before Discordianism. And of course real people like Neils Bohr crop up in
quotes.
Gypsie: What do you think about the PRINCIPIA now? Would you want to change it?
Hill: I consider it a successful work and I wouldn't want to change it. In
some ways it is immature and I am not the same person I was 10 years ago, but
it accomplished the objectives I set for myself and it has the effect I wanted it to
have. There are a few errors though.
Gypsie: Like what?
Hill: Oh, I changed a quote from Tom Gnostic on page 61 and I don't think he
ever did forgive me for it. He's right. Starbuck's Pebbles should have been
preceded by the Myth of Starbuck which was being saved for something else and
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never got used. I should have used it when I had the chance. And then Eris did a
neat little trick on me by having IBM make the Greek selectric typewriter element
not coincide with all the characters on their keyboard. So the little "kallisti"
that appears on the title page and lastly on the back cover came out "kallixti" and
I was too dumb to know the difference.
Gypsie: Will there ever be a Fifth Edition?
Hill: There already is a Fifth Edition, by Mal2. It is a one page telegram
that reduces everything to an infinite aum. I found it at Western Union where
a machine got stuck and kicked out hundreds of pages of nothing but m's. He
made it the Fifth Edition and then left.
Principia/Malaclypse was a very personal work for me and actually took 10
years to culminate. it was one single statement that included my adolescence
in the 50's and my young adulthood in the 60's. When I finally had the
paste-ups done I knew that I had finished it. That is why, quote, Malaclypse
left. I knew it was finished. I didn't know exactly what it was, but it was
done.
Occupant: See?
Gypsie: Earlier you said that you met your objectives. Just what were those
objectives?
Hill: Well, that's hard to answer because it kept refining itself over the
years. In 1969 I mainly though of myself as a cosmic clown and I set out to
prove, by demonstration, that a deity can be anything at all.
In other words, people invent gods and not the other way around. Later I
decided that I was doing some kind of conceptual art.
In the 50's my culture taught me that I was created by and for a deity, a
specific male deity, and that all other deities are FALSE. Yet my growing
experience showed me that any deity is true in some sense and false in some
other sense. So I set out to do what my society told me is impossible--make a real
religion from a patently absurd deity.
In the 50's a female deity was blasphemy. In the 70's a humorous deity is
still considered impossible, ridiculous, and blasphemous. As far as I'm
concerned, I have proven my point. Eris is a real deity and even though I
don't promote Erisianism as a serious religion....
Occupant: I do!
Dexter: You speak for yourself.
Ignotius: Here, here.
Hill: ...I do point out that it makes just as much sense from its own
perspective as all the others do from each of their own perspectives.
Occupant: I think paganism is a valid spiritual path. I encourage Erisianism
because it makes fun of itself. i think this is healthy.

Ignotius: If you can live rewardingly with Goddess Eris you can live with any
deity, including none at all.
Dexter: I don't much go for the worship business but I argee with Occupant
about the spirit of the thing. We live in a time of turmoil, the whole planet
is in a state of change. If we, as a species, cower from the confusion then we die
with the dying. This is revolution.

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Ignotius: I am an athiest myself. There is no Greg Hill.
[laughter]
Gypsie [to Hill] : What do you think of ILLUMINATUS?
Hill: Oh, I love it. I was finishing PRINCIPIA when Shea and Wilson were
working on ILLUMINATUS. It took Dell five years to publish it...maybe that is
significant. The 1969 Discordian Society was a mail network between
independent writers of various kinds. Norton Cabal was just me and my
characters and I used the other Cabals as sort of a laboratory. In return
other Discordians would bounce their stuff off of me. We would toss in ideas
and anybody could take anything out. It was a concept stew. The exchanging of ideas
and techniques broadened and encouraged all of us.
I like ILLUMINATUS for the surrealism. A very effective method of writing.
Ignotius: I got misquoted. Worse, I wasn't even in that scene and if I had
been then I would have said something else.
Dexter [to Ignotius]: That was me in that scene.
Ignotius: Oh, is that what that was?
Dexter: He got our names mixed up.
Hill: He got mixed up about me too, in COSMIC TRIGGER. Bob says that when
Oswald was buying the assassination rifle, my girlfriend was printing the
first edition of PRINCIPIA on Jim Garrison's Xerox. It wasn't my girlfriend,
it was Kerry's; it wasn't the FIRST ED PRINCIPIA, it was some earlier
Discordian thought; it wasn't Garrison's Xerox, it was his mimeograph; and it wasn't
just before Kennedy was shot but a couple of years before that.*
The FIRST ED PRINCIPIA, by the way, was reproduced at Xerox Corp when
xerography was a new technology Gypsie. Which was my second New Orleans trip in
1965. I worked for a guy on Bourbon Street who was a Xerox salesman by day.
Dexter: I think that George Dorn took too much guff from Hagbard. If someone
pulls a weapon on me, I'm more inclined to either leave or kill the
sonofabitch.
Occupant: You are supposed to be a pacifist.
Dexter: I'm speaking figuratively of course. I'll tell you more tomorrow.

Gypsie [to Hill]: Did you really translate erotic Etruscan poetry?
Hill: Sure, but I used a pen name. I signed it "Robert Anton Wilson".
[A quick rap is heard on the door]
Gypsie: I have only one question left...
Dexter: I'll get it.
Gypsie: ...what I really want to know is how can we all fit inside of a tiny
little post office box?
Dexter[to Gypsie]:It's a telegram for you, from Mal2.

Gypsie: To me?
[Paper tearing]
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Gypsie [reading]: "If I told everybody how they could live inside of a post
office box then everybody would stop paying landlords and go live inside their post
office boxes. It would collapse the building! Can you imagine, post offices
collapsing all over the country, the hemisphere, the PLANET! The whole world's
communication system would be destroyed. No,no, I must not say. I dare not!
-------------
* I checked this further with Mr. Thornley. He says that the woman in question was
not his girlfriend, she was just a friend, and it wasn't a couple of years before
Kennedy was shot but had to be a couple of years after (but before Garrison
investigated Thornley). --GS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

RITE OF HANDFASTING

Joy and Tom Williams

April 16, 1994 ce

MUSIC :
Beltane Wedding Dance by Gwidion. -- While Circle forms, those entering
are smudged by ASSISTANTS standing on both sides of SOUTH side of circle.

HP and/or HPS:
explain for non-Pagans the idea of Handfasting, why a circle
instead of pews, etc.
CIRCLE CASTING (HPS casts circle followed by FLOWER MAIDEN strewing
petals):
We cast the circle of ancient lore;
Waves upon a timeless shore.
With no begninning, nor an end;
It always knows a foe from friend.
Oroboros, of legends old;
Rings of power, forged in gold.
Circle of Life, ring of stones;
Cycle of creation, birth to bones.
A ring around the silv'ry Moon;
We cast you now, o ancient rune!
QUARTERS:
(CRYSTAL BEARER takes crystal from altar and gives it to the EAST quarter
caller. Caller invokes power holding up CRYSTAL. When done, the caller
hands CRYSTAL back to bearer who takes it to the next quarter. After
NORTH, bearer places CRYSTAL back on altar.)
EAST:
I call the Eastern powers of air,
You whose breath of life we share,
Bring understanding, kindness, care,
And loving words, both clear and fair,
Come bless this day our rite of love,
As below then so above.

SOUTH:
I call the Southern powers of fire,
Whose light doth stir the poet's lyre,
With love's bright spark our hearts inspire,
Bring passion's flame, bring sweet desire,
Come bless this day our rite of love,
As below then so above.

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WEST:
Oh powers of the Western sea,
Oh water's flowing unity,
Bring feeling, warmth and empathy,
That all our lives may blessed be,
Come bless this day our rite of love,
As below then so above.

NORTH:
Oh Northern powers of living Earth,
Charge our souls from death to birth,
On solid ground of rock and loam,
Bring forth our food and build our home,
Come bless this day our rite of love,
As below then so above.
GODDESS INVOCATION (HP)
Laughter-loving Aphrodite!
Venus Amathusia!
Come to me with laughing breast,
Come on waves with golden crest,
Come with doves and golden light,
Drawn by swans and sparrows bright.
Alight! Alight!
I am thy man, I am thy mate!
Receive me til our storm abate!
Thy green glades echo with my calls,
Come to me from emerald halls,
Flanked by maidens winding there,
Rose and mytle in thy golden hair,
Come to me! to me! to me!
And mate with me upon the grass,
Laughing, lusty, oh ravishing lass!
Our bodies arch and strain and twine,
I am thine and thou art mine!
Come from heavens of azure hue,
Ocean born and ever new,
Pulsing, laughing, yearning straining,
Pleasure, lust, all life containing,
Race with me through glades of green,
Exalting, loving, oh rapturous queen!
To me! to me!
Oh come to me!
And enter, merge, enfold, unite!
Suffuse desire with golden light!
Never sated in eons of time,
I am thine and thou art mine!
GOD INVOCATION (HPS)
Oh horned one, goat-foot,
Great God Pan!
Come to me with eyes of fire,
And with thy pipes awake desire,
Come with wild and lustful grin,
Herald of your flame within,
Io Pan! Io Pan!
Io Pan, Pan, Pan!
Shout to me from scented wood,
The call of all that's wild and good,
Come to me with shaggy thighs,
And let the hills return our cries,
Come with satyrs bearing wine,
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I am thine and thou art mine!
Come with joyous lusty laugh,
Come with swollen ruddy staff,
Race with me thorugh halls of green,
Thou art my God and I your Queen,
And spend with me a tender hour,
Making love within my bower,
To me! To me!
Oh come to me!
And come oh God of stream and wood,
Oh God of life and all that's good,
Never sated in eons of time,
I am thine and thou art mine!
HPS:
And by your rites of sacred marriage I inoke ye:
Shiva and Parvati
Jove and Juno
Dagda and Boyne
Odin and Freya
HP:
And by your sacred rites of marriage I invoke ye:
Persephone and Hades
Nuit and Geb
Rhiannon and Pwyll
Ishtar and Tammuz
HP & HPS: Blessed Be!
ALL: Blessed Be
HP:
Our work today is a happy one. We are gathered in the presence of
the deities of the fruitful trees, the flowing waters, the warming sun
and the
siging air, and in the sight of the Goddes of our Blessed Earth to celebrate
the joining of our two dear friends Joy and Tom, in union by the fasting of
their hands by ancient rite.
HPS (holding up CORD):
This is the cord of handfasting. It will tie Tom and Joy together with
bonds of love. For such bonds to be strong they need support -- the
support of the lovers themselves, the support of the Gods and the support
of a community of family and friends. we ask now that each of you give
your support, letting it flow as loving strength into the cord as it is
passed around the circle.
ALL SING:
Love is a River (as CORD is passed around circle)

HPs (to assistants):

Now open the circle, cut wide the gate, for two are coming who would be
made one!
ASSISTANTS:
(Open gate at SOUTH and stand at each side as couple enters..They then
take BROOM from altar and lay it across the gate, remaining there with
the circle joined together again.)
(HP: Rings bell three times. Processional, Spring Strathsprey by Gwydion,
vocal)
(Couple walk hand-in-hand deosil around the inside of the circle. After a
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full turn around the circle, GROOM stops in the WEST while BRIDE
continues
on around to the EAST, at which point they both approach the altar from
opposite directions.)

(Music ends when all are in place, or the song is ended.)

HPS:
Brothers and sisters, the Bride comes from the heart of the dawn, and
the Bridegroom from the sunset. There is a wedding in the valley; a day
too
vast for recording! There is magic to be done here; the magic of Love!
HP:
You have come together in this sacred grove to stand in the presence
of our Lady of Love and our Lord of Lust, that they may bestow upon you
their bountiful blessings of everlasting love and devotion through the
sacred
rite of handfasting. This is a bond not to be entered into lightly, but
with
seriousness, reverence, and joy.
HPS:
Is it your intention, Tom, to be wed to Joy in the sight of the gods and
of these people? to be tied to her in giving, in dreams, and in
intentions, and
to vow to her your love and commitment?
GROOM: (answers)
HPS:
Have you considered the gavity of your commitment?
GROOM: (answers)
HPs:
Have you considered the levity of your commitment?
GROOM: (answers)
HP:
Is it your intention, Joy, to be wed to Tom in the sight of the Gods
and of these people? to be tied to him in giving, in dreams, and in
intentions, and to vow to her your love and commitment?
BRIDE: (answers)
HP:
Have you considered the gavity of your commitment?
BRIDE: (answers)
HP:
Have you considered the levity of your commitment?
BRIDE: (answers)
HPS (facing BRIDE and holding up PENTACLE):
Joy,
Thou shalt be the star that rises from the twilight sea
Thou shalt bring a man dreams to rule his destiny
Thou shalt bring the moon-tides to the soul of a man
The tides that flow and ebb, and flow again,
The magic that moves in the moon and the sea;
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These are thy secret, and they belong to thee.
Thou art the Eternal Woman, thou art She,
The tides of all men's souls belong to thee.
Danu in heaven, on Earth, Persephone,
Diana of the Moon and Hecate,
Veiled Isis, Aphrodite from the sea,
All these thou art, and they are seen in thee.
HP (facing GROOM and holding WAND):
Tom,
All wild creatures hear thy call upon the haunted wind.
Within thy soul the Horned One returns to Earth again.
Together you shall manifest the magick of the man
And falcons soar from out the sky to perch upon thy hand.
The serpent's wisdom thou shalt learn from tip of forked tongue.
The fleetness of the white stag's flight in starlight or in sun.
Lord of Light and Lord of Shadow; keeper of the key
Which unlocks the door of dreams, whereby men come to thee.
Cernunnos, Tammuz, Horus, Pan; by name we set thee free!
0, Shepherd of the wild woodland, may thou be one with he!
(HP turns to HPS holding WAND. HPS picks up CHALICE and ATHAME;
anoints with water, touches to flower petals; censes; then places over
WAND. The HP & HPS hold WAND aloft between them.)
HPS:
Above you are the stars, below you are the stones.
As time passes, remember...
Like a star should your love be constant,
Like the earth should your love be firm.
Possess one another, yet be understanding.
Have patience each with the other,
For storms will come, but they will go quickly.
Be free in giving of affection and of warmth;
Make love often, and be sensuous to one another.
Have no fear, and let not the ways or words of the unenlightened give
you unease.
For the old gods are with you,
Now and always!
HP (holding wand):
Is it your wish, Joy, to become one with this man?
BRIDE: (answers)
HP:
Then give him your vow.

BRIDE:
I, Joy wed you, Tom and pledge to build with you a place of
love, nourishment and happiness within our hearts and within our home.
I pledge you love, honor and trust. love, both soft and tender
and love suffused with passion and playfulness; love which will honor your inner
deity, endure hardship and nurture honesty, trust and devotion.
I pledge to support and cherish your growth in the human
adventure; to explore with you the wonders of life; to hold you in my love when you
are ill or sad and to nurture your healing, growth, development and
actualization. As you evolve so shall I for we are as one and reflect one
another.
I promise to create a home with you that shall be a haven for us
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both, a place of welcome for family, friends and lovers and a place of comfort in
times of sorrow. I promise to love, honor, protect and nourish you as long as we
both shall live
HPS:
Is it your wish, Tom, to become one with this woman?
GROOM: (answers)
HPS:
Then give her your vow.
GROOM
: I, Tom wed you, Joy and pledge to build with you a place of
love, nourishment and happiness within our hearts and within our home.
I pledge you love, honor and trust. love, both soft and tender
and
love suffused with passion and playfulness; love which will honor your inner
deity, endure hardship and nurture honesty, trust and devotion.
I pledge to support and cherish your growth in the human
adventure;
to explore with you the wonders of life; to hold you in my love when you
are ill or sad and to nurture your healing, growth, development and
actualization. As you evolve so shall I for we are as one and reflect one
another.
I promise to create a home with you that shall be a haven for us
both,
a place of welcome for family, friends and lovers, and a place of comfort in
times of
sorrow. I promise to love, honor, protect and nourish you as long as we
both shall live.

HP:
Does any say nay?
GROOM:
Then we are happy, but we would yet ask the blessing of the
May Queen on our union.
BRIDE:
Oh Queen of the May, we ask your blessing on our union and
on our connection with this land which is our home upon the Earth.
MAY QUEEN:
As you marry, take my blessing and the blessing of our Mother Earth that
you may live long within Her breast and flourish in Her abundance.
(Takes cord from the altar and hands it to HP and HPS) I bid you bind
them in love with my blessing,
HP & HPS (tying the hands of bride and groom together with the cord):
This day you marry your friend, the one you love, laugh with, live for,
dream with.
HP (handing ATHAME to GROOM):
This knife is for the troubles that lie ahead.
HPS (handing CHALICE to BRIDE):
This cup is for the love that conquers them.
GROOM (holding up ATHAME):
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I bring the energy of yang, active, bright, logical and hard. I bid you
blend these energies with yours to make us whole and keep this token on
the altar of our love.
BRIDE (holding up CHALICE):
I bring the energy of yin, dark, intuitive, flowing and soft. I bid you
blend these energies with yours and make us whole and keep this token on
the altar of our love.
(GROOM dips ATHAME into CHALICE)
HP:
Yin and yang, male and female, light and dark. neither may stand
alone, but out of their eternal interplay the universe is born. So it is
above
and so it is here below.
HP:
Now share you the water of life, the blood of the sacred Goddess our
Mother Earth, water that binds us and all living things to her body.
(BRIDE and GROOM share water and kiss)
HP:
Out of the billions of the Earth, these two have come, have looked
into each other's eyes, and are now made one. Their ways have converged
and shall now be together. In our deepest being we hope that their path
may
be pleasant and the sky fair where they reside. But if trouble comes, as
it
can surely come to all, may the pressure of the trial only bring them
more
closely together. With clasped hands and united hearts, may they bear
life's
sorrows together and share life's joys together.
(BRIDE pours libation and speaks however she is moved, then hands
CHALICE to GROOM, who sips, libates and passes cup to HPS, who sips,
libates and passes CHALICE to HP. COUPLE then moves around the circle
deosil greeting guests while chant is sung: I am the Heart and the Soul
of
Creation, then return to altar.)
HPS (gives Navajo Wedding Blessing):
Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be the shelter to the other.
Now you will feel no cold, for each of you shall be the warmth to the other.
Now there is no more loneliness for you.
Now there is no more loneliness.
Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling place to enter into the days of your togetherness.
And may your days be good and long upon this Earth.
(GROOM thanks guests and invites them to the feast.)
(ASSISTANTS open the gate in SOUTH where the BROOM has been lying and
hold the broom a LITTLE off the ground. HP and HPS: lead the chant: JUMP
THE BROOM! as COUPLE runs around the circle and jumps the BROOM on the
way out.)
HP & HPS (Stand on opposite sides of altar, raising arms):
We thank you Gods and Goddesses of the Sacred Marriage for
attending and blessing this, our rite of life and love. We bid you now,
Hail
and Farewell!
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ALL: Hail and Farewell!
HP:
Oh mighty Lord of life and death, whose hooves dance upon the altrar
of Time and whose pipes play the song of Never-Ending, we thank You for
Your blessing and bid You now Hail and Farewell!
ALL: Hail and Farewell!
HPS:
Oh gracious Goddess, Queen of love and birth whose body is the
green and flowering Earth and the dust at whose feet are the stars of
heaven, we thank You for Your blessing and bid You now Hail and Farewell!

QUARTER CALLERS:
We thank you now, oh powers of Earth (Water, Fire, Air)
HPS:
All from air into air, let the misty curtain part.
All is ended, all is done
What has been must now be gone!
What is done by ancient art
Must merry meet and merry part!
AND MERRY MEET AGAIN!

Well, there it is. It was beautiful. And so smooth. Hope you all
enjoyed it. Tom wrote the invocation to Pan and Aphrodite. If you want
to use it though would expect people to ask permission to use it, since
it is copyright protected in the Green Egg.
Anyway, this is a guide, and it is OUR h-fasting. People can use it as a
guide, but it is much more magickal if you create your own.

Thou art Goddess!

Joy Williams
--
SHADOW WEAVER GROVE ADF
BELTANE RITUAL 5/5/1990
This is a transcription of the original planned ritual for Beltane forthe Shadow
Weaver Grove, transcribed with permission by Joseph Tellerof the Wonderland BBS
508-663-6220 WWIVNet Node 5803 for distributionto the Pagan Community at large.
Shadow Weaver Grove can also bewritten to via Surface mail at : PO Box 5451,
Billerica MA 01821.Distribution for non-commercial use of this document is granted,
solong as the wording and information contained herein remains unchangedin the
process of distribution.
___________________________________________________________________________
I. Starting the Ritual
A) Processional : (starting Chant {Ku-Wa-Te})
To enter the circle each person must pass through four "gates" representing
each of the Three Worlds (Land, Sea & Sky) and Fire. Each person steps to the first
Gate Keeper and is asked: "What do you ask of the Gate of Earth (Sea) (Air)?" AN
answer is given or left unspoken, and the person is marked by the Guardian (with
mud, water and brush of a feather) and proceeds to the next Gate and is questioned
again. The Guardian of the last Gate, Fire, smudges the person before they enter the
circle. When everyone is in the circle, the chant continues ("Ku-Wa-Te") as the
Gatekeepers come into the circle and prepare themselves.
B) Statement of Purpose :
We are here tonight to honor the Goddess Danu, called the Earth-mother and to
honor the God Belemos, Called the Sun King. We honor them and ask them to bless us
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and rekindle the warmth of the world.
C) Centering Meditation:
Group meditation and collective consciousness: All present are brought
together with a group meditation, to form a "group-mind"; to help everyone center
and bring themselves together to work in accord.
D) Earth Mother Invocation :
Oh Earth-Mother
We praise thee
That seed springeth
That flower openeth
That grass groweth
We praise thee
For winds that whisper
Through the shining Birch
Through the lively Pines
Through the mighty Oak
We praise thee
For all things
Oh Earth-Mother who gives lifeII.

The Active Ritual

Invocation of Ogma the Gate Keeper or Mannanon in English:
(Visualization is a triangle shaped iris opening)

Gate Keeper of Fire:

O Ogma, Lord of the Gates, Lord of Knowledge, open the ways for us O
Mannanon, master of the realm beyond the seas, grant us passage to your kingdom.
O great God of knowledge, we wish to walk your roads.
Reveal to us your teachings, reveal to us the safe path.
Come wash the nighttime clean;
Come Close the gap of darkness in between.
We praise you for the brightness of your power.
We praise you for the gift of knowledge.
Guide us to the place we seek.
Walk with us Ogma!
Walk with us Mannanon!
CHANT: We invoke thee Ogma, opener of every Gate
We invoke Mannanon, opener of every Gate.
You shall reach us, You shall teach us and reveal our fate.
You shall reach us, You shall teach us and reveal our fate.
B) Consecration of the Waters:
[After each cup is consecrated it is passed around the members of the
circle so that each may drink from it. When the cup returns to the start the
remaining liquid is spilled unto the Earth or into the fire. Contents may be spring
water, or an alcholic brew if alcohol it is preferred to have been brewed by a
member of the Grove.]
Druid of the Gate of Land:
Spirits of nature, of the trees and rocks, of the animals and Earth, give us
your favor and your companionship, share with us the bond of spirit and of life on
Earth. Remember us and speak to us in our hearts. Give us your teachings and
laughter, become one amoung us here tonight, Consecrate these waters. Behold the
Waters of Life!
{All Chant "Fur and Feather"}
Druid of the Gate of Sea:
Ancestors of Long ago, be with us, give us your favor and your wisdom, share
with us the bond of kinship and of life upon Earth. Remember us and speak to us
in our hearts. Give us your knowledge and your blessing, become one with us here
tonight; Consecrate these waters. Behold The Waters of Life! {All
Chant "Blood of the Ancients")
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Druid of the Gate of Sky:
Gods and Goddesses, be with us, give us your favor and blessings, share
with us the bonding essance and our existence upon your sphere of life. Remember us
and speak to us in our hearts. give us your strength and your peace, become one
amoung us here tonight. Consecrate these waters.
Behold the Waters of Life! {All Chant "Mother I feel you"}
C) Individual Offerings and prayers:
At this point, all present that wish to may make an offering or offer
prayers. If anyone has an offering or a prayer they would like to make they step
forward and do so, individual offerings to particular patrons or spirit helpers are
done at this time.
D) Sacrifice with the Willow Branch:
Gate keeper of fire makes a final offering of a willow branch, to send the
energy to the deities of the occasion. It is sacrificed into the central bonfire.
Gate Keeper of Fire:
Our praise goes up with thee on the wings of eagles; our voices are carried up
to thee on the shoulders of the wonds. hear now O Belemos, O Danu, we pray thee, as
we offer up this sacrifice of life. Accept it we pray thee, and cleanse our hearts,
giving to us of your peace and life.
E) Divination :
A scrying is done with crystal/flame, to find if the gods have accepted our
prayers and will be with us. If the omen is bad, offerings are made again. If they
are rejected thrice, the circle is broken immediately and the ritual ended.
F) The Fourth Consecration:
Here the wards are set to protect us during the magic working. Druid #1
(Fire):
We greet you, Brother Wabun, Golden Eagle of the East. We ask that you watch
over us this night, and share with us your wisdom, Let your keen vision guide us
over the obstacles before us. We greet you, Brother Shawnodese, Guardian of the
South, great Coyote. We ask that you walk with us this night, and guide us as we
walk this path of learning. We greet you, Waboose, White Buffalo Woman of the
North, Grace us with your company, and walk with us night as we seek the wisdom that
surrounds us. We greet you, brother Mudjekeewis, Great Bear of the West. Walk with
us this night and aid us in our journey to wisdom. At this time, would each of you
please meditate on your personal needs and desires.
G) Induction of Receptivity : (Litany of the Waters)
[D1 can be Guardian of Fire, D2 can be the Group response. If the group doesn't
know the responses one of the other guardians should lead them into them]
D1: Of what does the Earth-Mother give, that we may know of the
continual flow and renewal of life?
D2: The waters of Life.
D1: From whence do these waters flow?
D2: From the bosom of the Earth-Mother,the ever changing All-Mother
D1: And how do we honor this gift that causes life?
D2: By partaking of the waters of life.
D1: Has the Earth-Mother given forth her bounty?
D2: She has
D1: Then give me the waters!

Final consecration and sharing: A fourth cup is consecrated.

O Belemos, O Danu, hear us and answer us! Hallow these waters! We your
children have praised you, and now we ask from you healing, blessing, power and
inspiration...Behold the waters of life!
{Passing chant: "Ku-Wa-Te"}
III. The Work of The Circle
A) The Magic Working:
Tonight we pray for the prosperity of all those here. May our fortunes
increase, may the Goddess and God smail on our endeavors and bring us good luck in
all that we do.
We ask that you bless these small tokens of our wishes, and grant us the
success that we ask for. {Here a small basket with a crystal and appropriate symbols
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of general prosperity were passed around so that all might add energy to it}
B) Affirmation of Success:
D1: Belemos and Danu have Blessed us!
D2: Every time we invoke them, they become stronger and more alert to
the needs of their people.
D1: With joy in our hearts let us return to the realm of mortals to do the will
of the Gods and our own.
D2: Yet, before we leave, we must give thanks to those whome we have invited
here today.

IV. Closing:
A) Thanking and closing of the Quaters:
We thank you, Brother Wabun, Golden Eagle of the East. You have watched over us
this night, and shared with us your wisdom, Your keen vision has shown us the
ostacles before us. We ask you, go in peace, as you came in peace. So we may walk
together again. We thank you, Brother Shawnodese, Guardian of the South, great
Coyote. Once again your lessons have helped us, and shown us the truth in
ourselves. We ask you, go in peace, as you came in peace, So we may walk together
again. We thank you, Waboose, White Buffalo of the North. You have graced us with
your company, and walked with us this night. You have helped us see the wisdom that
surrounds us. We ask you, go in peace, as you came in peace. So we may walk
together again. We thank you Brother Mudjekeewis, Great Bear of the West. You
have shown us your power and kept us safe in our journey to wisdom. We ask you, go
in peace, as you came in peace, so we may walk together again.
B) Thanking of the Gods and Goddess:
Gods and Goddesses of the old times, spirits of the old times and of this
place, people of the old times and of our ancestors, our kindred we thank you.
C) Closing the Gate:
Gate Keeper of Fire :
O Ogma, Lord of the Gates, Lord of KNowledge, we thank you. O Mhannon, we
thank you. Now let the Gates between the Worlds be closed!
D) Return from the group-mind, grounding and centering.
Reverse the Tree Meditation.
Relaxing of the Grove's Wards.
Libation:
D1: To thee we retrun this portion of thy bounty, O Danu our Mother, even as
we must someday return unto thee.
D2: We have finished this ceremony.
D1: So be it!
ALL: Biodh se!
___________________________________________________________________________
CHANTS USED DURING RITUAL:
{Ku-Wa-Te}
Ku-Wa-Te Lay-no Lay-no Ma-ho-teHi-ano, Hi-ano, Hi-anoKu-Wa-Te Lay-no Ma-ho-teHi-ano,
Hi-ano, Hi-ano We are one with the infinite sun Forever, Forever, ForeverWe are one
with the Infinite Sun Forever, Forever, Forever.
{Mother Nature Waits}
Mother Earth provides Mother Earth Provides Mother Earth Provides all for us to
surviveMother Earth Provides Mother Nature Waits Mother Nature Waits Because life
never ends, she always begins again Mother Nature waits.
{Hoof and Horn}
Hoof and horn, Hoof and hornAll that dies shall be reborn.Corn and Grain, corn and
grainAll that falls shall rise again.

{Blood of the Ancients}

It's the blood of the AncientsThat runs through our veinsAnd the forms pass,But the
Circle of life remains.

{Fur and Feather}

Fur and Feather and scale and skin
Different without but the same within
Great of body but one of soul
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Through all creatures are the Gods made Whole
{Mother I feel You}
Mother I feel you under my feet
Mother I feel your heart beat
Mother I feel your heart beat
Father I see you where the eagle flies
Spirit gonna carry me higher and higher
Spirit gonna carry me higher and higher
________________________________________________________________________
BRIGIT OF THE CELTS
-------------------
Brigit was one of the great Triple Goddesses of the Celtic people.
She appeared as Brigit to the Irish, Brigantia in Northern England,
Bride in Scotland, and Brigandu in Brittany. Many legends are told
about Brigit. Some say that there are three Brigits : one sister in
charge of poetry and inspiration who invented the Ogham alphabet,
one in charge of healing and midwifery, and the third in charge of the
hearth fire, smithies and other crafts. This catually indicates the
seperate aspects of her Threefold nature and is a neat division of
labor for a hard-working goddess.
Brigit was probably originally a Sun Goddess, and a charming story
of her birth is that she was born at sunrise and a tower of flame
burst from the forehead of the new born Goddess that reached from
Earth to Heaven. It was likely She who inspired the line in the famous
Song of Amergin: "I am a fire in the head." Her penchant for smithcraft
led to her association by the Romans with Minerva/Athena. As a warrior
Goddess, She favored the use of the spear or the arrow. Indeed, various
interpetations of her name exist including, "Bright Arrow," "The Bright
One," "the Powerful One" and "The High One," depending upon the region
and the dialect.
As a Goddess of herbalism, midwifery and healing She was in charge
of Water as well as Fire. I don't beleive that anyone has ever
counted all teh vast number of sacred wells and springs named after
or dedicated to this Goddess. A story is told of how two lepers came
to one of her sacred springs for healing and She instructed one Leper
to wash the other. The skin of the freshly bathed man was cleansed
of the disease and Brigit told the man who was healed to wash the man
who had bathed him so that both men would be whole. The man who was
healed was now too disgusted to touch the other Leper and would have
left him, but Brigit herself washed the leper and struck down the
other arrogant fellow with leperousy once more before he could leave.
Offerings to the watery Brigit were cast into the well in the form
of coins or, even more ancient, brass or gold rings. Other sacrifices
were offered where three streams came together. Her cauldron of
Inspiration connected her watery healing aspect with her fiery poetic
aspect.
Brigit is clearly the best example of the survival of a Goddess
into Christian times. She was cannonized by the Catholic church as
St. Brigit and various origins are given to this saint. The most
popular folktale is that She was midwife to the Virgin Mary, and thus
was always inviked by women in labor. The more official story was
that She was a Druid's daughter who predicted the coming of
Christianity and then was baptised by St. Patrick. She became a nun
and later an abbess who founded the Abbey at Kildare. The Christian
Brigit was said to have had the power to appoint the bishops of her
area, a strange role for an abbess, made stranger by her requirement
that her bishops also be practicing goldsmiths.
Actually, the Goddess Brigit had always kept a shrine at Kildare,
Ireland, with a perpetual flame tended by nineteen virgin priestesses
called Daughters of the Flame. No male was ever allowed to come near
it; nor did those women ever consort with men. Even their food and
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other supplies were brought to them by women of the nearby village.
When Catholicism took over in Ireland, the shrine became a convent
and the priestesses became nuns but the same traditions were held
and the eternal flame was kept burning. Their tradition was that
each day a different priestess/nun was in charge of the sacred fire
and on the 20th day of each cycle, teh fire was miraculously tended
by Brigit Herself. There into the 18th century, the ancient song
was sung to her : "Brigit, excellant woman, sudden flame, may the
bright fiery sun take us to the lasting kingdom."
For over a thousand years, the sacred flame was tended by nuns,
and no one knows how long before that it had been tended by the
priestesses. In 1220 CE, a Bishop became angered by the no-males
policy of the Abbey of St. Brigit of Kildare. He insisted that nuns
were subordinate to priests and therefore must open their abbey
and submit themselves to inspection by a priest. When they refused
and asked for another Abbess or other female official to perform
any inspections, the Bishop was incensed. He admonished them to
obediance and then decreed that teh keeping of the eternal flame
was a Pagan custom and 6rdered the sacred flame to be extinguished.
Even then, She remained the most poular Irish saint along with
Patrick. In the 1960's, under Vatican II modernization, it was
declared that there was insufficient proof of Brigit's sanctity
or even of her historical existance, and so teh Church's gradual
pogrom against Brigit was successful at last and She was thus
decanonized. It is very difficult to obtain images or even holy
cards of ST. Brigit outside of Ireland anymore.
Her festival is held on Febuary 1st or 2nd. It corresponds to
the ancient Celtic fire festival of Imbolc or Oimelc which
celebrated the birthing and freshening of sheep and goats (it really
is a Feast of Milk). This festival was Christianized as Candlemas
or Lady Day and Her Feast day, La Feill Bhride, was attended by
tremendous local celebration and elaborate rituals. Her festival
is also called Brigit. Brigit (the Goddess and the Festival)
represents the stirring of life again after the dead months of the
winter, and her special blessings are called forth at this time.
Since She was booted out of teh Church for being Pagan, it is
incumbant upon us Pagans to restore Her worship to its former glory
especially those of us of Celtic ancestory. Here is an ancient rite
to invite Brigit into your home at the time of her Holiday:
Clean your hearth thoroughly in teh morning and lay a fire
without kindling it, then make yourself a "Bed for Brigid" and
place it near the hearth. The bed can be a small basket with covers
and tiny pillow added as plain or fancy as you like. If you have no
hearth, you can use the stove and put the bed behind it. Then at
sundown light a candle rubbed with rosemary oil and invite Brigit
into your home and into er bed; use the candle to kindle your
hearthfire if possible. Make your own poem to invite Her or use
the ancient song mentioned earlier. Let the candle burn at least
all night in a safe place. You might even want to begin the custom
of keeping the eternal flame; it is a popular custom in some
magickal and Wiccan traditions. AFter all, it's up to us now to
keep the spirit of Brigit alive and well for the next thousand
years at least!!!
Brigid is not really a Celtic Mother Goddess. She is generally
considered a Goddess of fire/smithcraft, of poetry and of healing. One
of her roles is as midwife, but although she has a son, she is not
usually seen as a mother.
I don't know any books that deal specifically with Brighidh, but please
look for a book called "Celtic Mythology" by Proinsias MacCana and for
"Gods and Heroes of the Celts" by Marie Lousie Sjoestadt for more
information about Celtic deities. They are both VERY good sources.
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Brighidh is a Goddess of healing, smithcraft and poetry, brewer of mead
and ale, a lawgiver, a midwife, supposedly daughter of the Daghda,
mother of the poet Cairbre, and of the Gods Brian, Iuchar and Iucharba.
She was transformed into a Christian Saint and became the foster mother
of Christ. Some sources say that the healer/smith/poet were embodied in
one Goddess, other sources claim that she was three sisters, all named
Brighidh.
Her holy day falls (on our calendar) on February 2nd (I wonder if She
likes groundhogs...) called Imbolc, Oimelc or Lady Day. Candles are
blessed that day in the Catholic churches.
By: Ido
To: Teakan
Re: Somethnig about Brighid:
Brigit/Brigid/Bride was the daughter of Dagda. She was the proctector of the
poets, the forge and the healing persons. Her son Ruadan, which she had with
Bres, was killed by Goibnui. For her died son she sounds the first kenning of
Eireland. She also was put into the cult and the person of Brigit from Kildare,
which made the first female parish after Christianity falls into Eireland. The
convent of Kildare has had a neverending fire, which was protected by the sisters of
the parish. The saint Brigit is the second patron saint of Eireland. within the
scottish tradition Brigit belongs together with the time of the year "Season of the
lambs" and the comming of spring. Brigit overcomes the control of the Cailleach
Bheur.
THE FINER POINTS OF RITUAL:
A Comparative Approach to
Liturgical History, Theology and Design
=======================================
A Heartland Pagan Festival Keynote Address
by Mike Nichols

Participants: Morning Glory Zell

Otter Zell
Rhiannon Bennett
Carolyn Clark
Eldoreth Grey Squirrel
Anahita
Morwen
Chris
Dix
other audience members not identified

[NOTE: This transcription was made from an audio tape dub of a

videorecording of the event. The microphone placement made some
of the comments from the audience unintelligible, and those
sections were omitted. In some cases, the comments were picked
up but it was impossible to identify the speaker. Because of the
lack of visual cues, it is also possible that some of the
speakers are incorrectly identified. To improve readability,
some very minor editing was done.]

Rhiannon: I'd like to introduce someone whom we are really proud

to have in our community. He has been involved in Witchcraft --
in teaching free Witchcraft classes -- for over eighteen years
now. He is also a teacher of parapsychology at the University of
Missouri at Kansas City. He owns the Magick Lantern, which is
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our occult bookstore here in town -- the ONLY occult bookstore we
actually have here in town. He's very instrumental in
introducing people to Wicca through his classes -- over 6,000
people! Granted all of them didn't decide to stay with us, which
is fine. But think how many myths that helped shatter, and
helped to make us a valid religion in some people's eyes. And a
lot of times, that's what we need. Every time I say something
about a particular speaker, people say "Well, what has he
written? What has she written?" Books are really wonderful but,
as I'm sure you've read, there are some good books, and there are
some mediocre books, and there are some that are pure trash out
there. Just because they say they're a Pagan writer doesn't mean
a thing. Sort through and pick out the good stuff. People like
Mike help us go through and figure out what's real and what's not
real. And then help you decide, even out of what's real, what's
real for you. So I'm really proud to have him in our community,
and I'd like to welcome him.
(APPLAUSE)

Mike Nichols: I hope you don't mind if I do this sitting down.

I want to present it more like a workshop than a standard
lecture. First of all, I want to start out with a few thank
you's. I just want to say a personal thank you to Rhiannon who
has acted as liaison between the Heartland Spiritual Alliance and
the Magick Lantern, which was sometimes a difficult and thankless
task, but she's done it well. When I saw her stand on the chair
in the hall last night and scream "TWO pieces of chicken! ONLY
two!", I thought I've never seen anyone look so much in their
element. (LAUGHTER) So thank you so much. And not only to
Rhiannon, but to the organizers of the Heartland Pagan Festival
all together. I think they've done a wonderful job. Let's give
them a hand.

(APPLAUSE)

What we're going to be doing in here is kind of an advanced

class on ritual design, what we sometimes like to call liturgics.
Before this is all over, we're going to be into such areas as
liturgical theology, liturgical history, and liturgical
aesthetics. For those of you who are local and who have taken my
class, or seen me do speeches at psychic fairs and such, you will
be happy to note that this is not recycled material. This is the
very first time I am presenting any of this material anywhere.
So I hope you enjoy it.

I'm starting from the premise that most people here are
already fairly well advanced in Paganism and have gotten to the
point where they already know about ritual and realize why it's
there, why there is a need for it, and are beginning to ask
other questions about ritual. What does it take to make a "good"
ritual? What kind of elements do you need to have, what kind of
order, what kind of structure does a ritual have to have to work?
Are there certain things a ritual needs to work? How can you
tell if a ritual has worked? And questions like that start
happening only after you've been into it a little while.
If you are new to this whole area, and really are not that
conversant with why ritual is used anyway, let me just gloss that
point by saying there are a couple of really good books that I
think give you a good understanding of that. One is "The Spiral
Dance" by Starhawk. Another is "Drawing Down the Moon" by Margot
Adler. I think either one of those would inform you as to why
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Witches use ritual in the first place.
The need for ritual is sometimes one of the most difficult
things for newcomers in this area to understand because quite
often, if they've been brought up in a religious tradition that
downplays ritual, for example, (and many Protestant religious
traditions say that ritual is only so much gobbledy-gook, etc.,
that there's nothing to it), it's a real stumbling block for
people to understand why the ritual is there. I've noticed that
people with Roman Catholic backgrounds or a background in Judaism
seem to have a better grasp on what ritual is there for and what
it accomplishes.
When we get into this kind of work, let me just say that
much of my talk here today is going to be highly speculative,
highly theoretical, and please do not take it as a final position
paper on anything. It is at best a preliminary report on work in
progress. We're going to do a lot of comparative liturgics as a
way of understanding our own ritual development.
When it comes to ritual or liturgy -- whichever word you
want to use, and I'm going to be using them interchangeably -- it
has always seemed to me that liturgical theology should be on the
cutting edge of theological concerns in Paganism. There are many
religious writers who believe that religions basically have three
dimensions -- any religion. First of all, it's theology: what
are it's beliefs? Secondly, it's social structure: how does this
religion impact on the world around it? And thirdly, it's
ritual: what do the people do to express their religious values?
It has always seemed to me that within Paganism in general, and
Witchcraft certainly in particular, it is the liturgical
dimension that is the most often in focus.
Theology I think has been rather slow. It is developing,
Pagan theological concerns, but it's developing late. If you
read Starhawk and Adler and people like that, you're beginning to
see the beginnings of Pagan theology.
As far as the social dimension, there was a time of course
when Paganism had a social dimension, when most people were
Pagan. But for the last couple of thousand years we have been a
minority religion -- a very small minority in some cases. And I
think because of that we don't yet have a very strong
sociological impact. But that too may be changing, through
festivals like this, when Pagans start gathering in big enough
numbers to start talking about such things as social change. For
example, at one of the workshops we had the other day, somebody
suggested that one of the things Pagans could do to increase
their visibility and positive image in the community is to take
on community projects like answering telephones for the local
public TV telethons. Yes, this is our local Coven on the phone
lines! (LAUGHTER) Or this is the local Coven who have all
decided to go down and do a park clean-up on a particular day.
When we get enough people doing stuff like that, then Witchcraft
will have its social dimension.
In the meantime, the strongest dimension I think for most of
us is the ritual, is the liturgy. When you tell somebody you're
a Witch, the first thing they ask you is "What do you do?" -- not
"What do you believe?" or "What is your impact on society?" --
but "What do you do?" They want to hear about your rituals. I
think that's exactly why Stewart Farrar titled his first book on
Witchcraft "What Witches Do".
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So we've got to start looking at what we do, in terms of
ritual and how ritual has developed. However, when it comes to
trying to study liturgy in modern Paganism, you are immediately
arrested by the fact that there is no coherent study of it. Yes,
there are books of rituals. Sure, you can buy a spellbook here,
a grimoire there. Marion Weinstein has published a Book of
Shadows. The last half of Doreen Valiente's book is a Book of
Shadows. Scott Cunningham's got books of spells, etc. But is
there any systematic study of all this stuff put together? No.
Not so far.
I think the reason is because development has been so rapid.
All of this stuff has come along so fast that people have not had
a chance to assess it and evaluate it, and ask significant
questions about it. Consequently, both the scholar and the lay
person really don't have very many places to go when it comes to
this.
There are a few things though that you can say about
religious ritual. First of all, religious ritual is a human
experience, a very universal human experience. It is as real as
fear, and as important as love. It has a meaning of its own. It
is not some sort of aberration or distortion of reality. It is
an injection of new meaning into the reality around you. There
is hardly a culture in the world that has not developed its
religious rituals. And sometimes by looking at religious rituals
of other cultures, we can begin understanding our own better.
That's one of things I'm gonna try to do here.
There's a strange continuity, a sameness when you start
looking at different rituals, that pervades all of them. We find
that rituals, for example, are transpersonal and transcultural.
People seem to experience the same types of things no matter
where you look all over the world.
In looking at liturgical theology, I have been doing an
awful lot of work in terms of comparative study. Because the
only group of people who have systematically writing about
liturgical theology for any length of time are the Christians.
Does this have anything to say to us as Pagans? Perhaps it does.
Reason: I think most Pagans are by now well aware of the fact
that the Christians have borrowed a heck of a lot from the old
Pagan religions. For example, it's commonly known that the old
Pagan holidays served as models for Christian holidays, so that
the modern Christian liturgical calendar is to a great extent
based on older Pagan themes. And ironically, sometimes you can
look at what Christians have written about these to find out
still more about the Pagan themes that underlie it.

A second area where this is true is what we call

hagiography, the study of saints. So many of the saints in the
rites of the Roman Catholic Church are in fact simply
Christianized forms of old Pagan gods and goddesses. So we read
about the legends of these saints, and we learn a little bit more
about the gods and goddesses underlying those legends. I think
Pagans generally realize both of these points. What Pagans do
not generally realize is that it is the same as far as liturgical
ceremonies go, too. When you get right down to it, Christianity
-- especially the way the Roman Catholic Church developed in the
early years of Christianity -- borrowed most of its liturgical
traditions from the Pagans.

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I mean, if you ever stopped and thought about it... For
example, within the Roman Catholic Church, there are certain
rituals known as "sacraments", right? Do you realize that is a
Pagan word? Sacrament comes from the Latin "sacramentum" and was
an oath given by a Roman soldier to his gods. It was a ritual
setting. We might be well advised once again to reclaim the word
sacrament and use it as our own.

According the Catholic Church, a sacrament is an "effective"

ritual, which means that it produces an objective effect. This
is not just a symbolic commemoration of something. This is
something that actually produces a change in reality. This
beginning to sound familiar?

Other things which we have long considered primarily

Christian -- Again, I'm going to be drawing this almost
exclusively from the background of Roman Catholic liturgics,
which is one of the ones that is most developed. The High
Anglican would be another good source if you wanted to look into
this. The practice of "genuflection", of bowing on one knee,
originally a Pagan practice. The practice of kissing ritual
tools. If you were in a Catholic church, did you ever see a
priest pick up a Missal at Mass and kiss it, put it on the altar?
The same way a priestess will sometimes kiss her athame after
she's used it for an invocation? Yet another custom borrowed by
the Christians from the Pagans. So it seems real obvious to me
that we could look at the whole question of sacramental rites,
and ask what have the various Christian writers had to say about
them in terms of how they work, in order to find out what Pagans
probably also originally believed about rites and rituals.

Although at a later time the Catholic Church would limit the

number of official sacraments to be only seven in number, at an
earlier time this was not true. Anything could be seen as a
sacrament. A blessing was a sacrament. A holiday, a sacred
object, all of these things could be considered sacramental in
what they did. As a matter of fact, the first use of the word
"sacrament" within a Christian context was not until 210 C.E. and
it was by the Church writer Tertulian. He was the first one to
use that word in a Christian context, and when he did so,
ironically, he accused the Greek mystery religions of having
stolen that word from the Christians. Obviously, it was
precisely the other way around.

Although today the word sacrament refers primarily to only

seven ecclesial rituals within the Catholic Church, all of which
-- or at least six of which -- have parallels in Paganism, the
word "sacrament" is still used in comparative theology in a much
broader sense. Basically, it refers to any hidden reality, any
sign or symbol of a hidden reality that is mysterious and sacred.
I could be a person, a place, or a thing. Any of these things
could be considered sacramental.

From the point of view of Pagan theology, by the way, with

its strong emphasis on the theological perspective called
"immanence", the in-dwelling quality of the divine force in all
of nature, for a Pagan practically anything can become a
sacrament. Every rock, every tree, everything is alive with
magical and sacred powers which a Pagan can get in touch with and
from there connect with the entire universe. That's what a
sacrament is.

There have been, historically, at least two ways of viewing

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rituals and sacraments. The first is the way as practiced by
social anthropologists. For example, one of the most famous of
these was proposed by Arnold van Gennep, who was the first to
come up with the idea of rituals being, as he called them, "rites
of passage". He would point to something like a marriage rite,
and we can find rites like that in practically every society.
And he would say that the reason this ritual was important for
this society is that it marked a transition for one member of the
society from one social role to another. From the status of
being unmarried to the status of being married. In many
societies, kids when they hit the age of puberty go through a
rite of passage. This is an official recognition by the society
as a whole that this person, who was once considered a child, is
now considered an adult and has adult responsibilities.

Van Gennep originally thought that practically all religious

rituals were rites of passage. Later social anthropologists have
pointed out there's at least one other major class or rituals.
And this is not a rite of passage but what we call a "rite of
celebration". Very distinct from a rite of passage. In a rite
of passage, we talk about a person's transition from one social
role to another. In a rite of celebration -- let's take for an
example a wedding anniversary -- nothing is changing here. We
are simply looking at something which has a permanent value and
belief structure, and we are celebrating it. We are focusing on
it. We are saying this is important to us. And we're going to
have this ritual to let everybody know how important it is to us.
A rite of passage is a rite of transition, but a rite of
celebration is a rite of intensification. It intensifies the
values and beliefs that are already present.

That was one of two ways of classifying religious rituals.

The other is the psychological approach. And probably the best
writer in this field is Mircea Eliade. He called sacramental
rituals -- he had a wonderful phrase for it -- he called them
"doors to the sacred". Every sacramental ritual, he said, is an
invitation to a religious or sacred experience. An invitation,
which you may accept or not. You can either let yourself become
a part of a ritual or not. You can make up your mind to distance
yourself from it. But its basic design, the basic reason for a
sacramental ritual is to give you an invitation to have an
experience of the sacred. Which Eliade calls a "hierophany", an
experience of the sacred.

Practically all of these experiences involve altered states

of perception, in terms of an altered sense of time and an
altered sense of space. And we all have these understandings.
For example, to most of us a tree is a tree. But what about the
tree that you had your treehouse in when you were a little kid?
That tree is special. There is no other tree like that tree
anywhere else in the world. It is sacred. A funeral home -- you
see them on every other street corner; they're just a building.
Except the funeral home that you attended your grandfather's
funeral in. You walk into that funeral home and space seems
different. It is charged with a meaning that normal space -- a
normal other funeral home -- does not have.

Time is the same way; the sense of time can change.

Anniversaries, celebrations of New Year's, celebrations like that
take us back to a time that's kind of outside of time, if you
will. And once again, charges that time with a special meaning.
Time may even seem to pass differently. I think for me the best
expression of this has always been in fairy tales. When somebody
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goes into the next world, the world of faery, and experiences the
passage of time differently.

So all of these -- what Mircea Eliade calls "hierophanies"

-- all of them have to do with altered states of perception,
which include both time and space. This is remarkably similar,
by the way, to Dion Fortune's famous definition of magick, the
"ability to alter consciousness at will". We're obviously
talking about the same kind of thing here.

Most hierophanies, the great majority of them, are

individual. They are personal. Whether it's watching a sunset,
visiting a sacred place, walking up to Stonehenge and standing in
the center of it (and having the same feeling you had as you
stood in your last magic Circle), this is sacred space. This is
an individual and personal experience. But these religious
experiences can also be shared. It happens when we sing the
national anthem. It happens when we sing the old school song.
It happens when a group of us gets together to go see a dramatic
or theatrical presentation. In this case, we open ourselves
collectively to an experience of the sacred. Which again is what
a sacramental rite is all about.

One other interesting thing about these experiences is that

it is almost universally experienced that the high charge of
meaning that is found in the rite is experienced as "discovered"
or "encountered". It sort of dawns upon you. "Oh wow! That's
what this is all about! Yeah, I get it now!" It's not something
that is artificially enforced on the ritual from the outside. It
should grow organically from the ritual.

It's interesting to note that in Judeo-Christian tradition,

this sacredness is quite often found in history. In the
historical development of a God that interacts with a "chosen
people" throughout a period of history. Whereas in Pagan
theology, sacredness is most usually found not in history but in
nature. That every tree, every rock, everything is alive, that
you can get in touch with it, that it has a magical and sacred
essence and you can interact with that, and get in touch with the
Cosmos as a whole through that.

It's interesting to note, too, that because of this the

Judeo-Christian tradition places a very strong emphasis on sacred
writings, or scripture. Whereas many of the old Pagan religions
-- taking the old Druid religion as a fine example -- made it
forbidden to write down sacred material. Druids teach it, bards
sing it, dancers dance it -- but you don't write it. They
realized it was too sacred for that. So we have these very
definite distinctions in terms of how we've approached these
sorts of things.

Another way of looking at a ritual is this: Most of us are

familiar with the way a myth takes the values and beliefs of a
religion and embodies them in story form. A ritual takes the
values and beliefs of a religion and embodies them in actions.
That's why quite often a ritual is a myth enacted. Ritual drama,
for example.

As I said at the beginning, I think many Pagans are aware of

how Christians have borrowed from us in terms of calendar
customs, and how they've borrowed our gods to use as their
saints. But we've seldom examined how the Christian religion has
borrowed our sacred rites. They have. The Catholic Church now
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recognizes seven official sacraments. And virtually all of them
-- or at least six of them -- have Pagan origins.

First of all, the rite called "Baptism". That's the first

ecclesial ritual in the Roman Catholic Church. Or "Christening",
as it's sometimes called. It turns out once again that
practically every "primitive" culture has similar rites of
blessing of a child. In ancient, pre-Christian, Pagan Celtic
society, there was a similar rite. It had to do with sprinkling
a child with water, passing the child through the smoke of a
fire, passing it through a hole in a stone or else touching it to
the earth (getting in all the elements here), and quite often
passing the child around a circle, handing the baby around so
that each person in the circle gets to hold it for a short time.
If you want descriptions of this taken from people who seem to
remember these pre-Christian ceremonies, look at the work of
folklorist Alexander Carmichael in the six-volume set, the
"Carmina Gaedelica". Some of these rites had been Christianized,
of course, even at the time Carmichael was taking them down. But
a lot of their Pagan origins are still very clear.

In Pagan Celtic society, by the way, this rite was called a

"seining". Which I would like to propose as a much better term
for this kind of rite in Paganism than the more recently coined
word "Wiccaning". I oppose that terminology for two reasons.
One, it's obviously a word that was coined recently to be a
counterpart to the term "Christening". So the word itself is not
historically attested. Secondly, think of what it implies! When
you "Christen" a child, you are introducing it into the body of
Christ, the Church. You are making it a Christian. I don't
think that any Witch thinks that "Wiccaning" a child is making
that child a Witch! I've never heard any Pagan put it that way.
At the very most, you are blessing the child, asking the gods'
protection for this child "so that no harm comes to the child, or
to anyone else through the child" (as it is commonly expressed)
until such a time as that child is able to choose its own
religion. We do not attempt to make that choice for the child.
It is simply a rite of blessing and protection. Strangely
enough, that is exactly what the word "seining" means. And
therefore I think it's much better than the alternative
"Wiccaning".

The Christian religion also has a sacrament called the

"Eucharist". By the way, if ever anybody challenges you that the
Christian religion doesn't employ magic, take a look at what the
Catholic Church has to say about the sacrament of the Eucharist,
or what they call "the blessed sacrament" -- THE blessed
sacrament. The official term for what happens is
"transubstantiation" -- that the priest actually has the power to
turn common bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus! If
that isn't a magical act, I don't know what one is! Although the
Church would be loath to use the word "magic" in this context.
But we certainly understand what it's all about.

The idea of blessing food and drink, however, once again

seems to be one of those universal rites. When people sit down
to a shared dinner, a common meal, it is a rite of inclusion.
Even in the early Christian Church, you were not allowed to
partake in the Eucharistic meal unless you were already a member
of that church. So the fact that in the Wiccan tradition you
share "cakes and ale" would imply an inclusion in the membership
of that group. And of course, there are all the symbolic
associations of food as sustenance.
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We also have the sacrament of Confirmation in the Catholic
Church. Which always sounded strange to me when I was growing
up. You know, you're twelve years old now, and it's time for you
to be "confirmed". It's almost like up until then you were only
"tentative". (LAUGHTER) But now you're confirmed. What it
really meant, though, was the person was supposedly old enough by
now to make a free choice (cough) of which religion they wanted
to belong to. And the bishop -- You'll notice here, by the way,
that the proper minister for this rite is the bishop, not the
priest. Although it is possible for a bishop to delegate the
power to a priest. But the bishop comes and confirms you into
this religion. Again, we have so many rites from so many Pagan
systems that this seems to based on that are usually referred to
as "initiation" ceremonies, or rites of passage, rites of
adulthood. When finally the child is brought fully into the
religious and social (in most primitive societies, they are the
same) structure of the society and is now seen to be a full
adult. So any first degree initiation could serve as a model for
what the Catholic Church came to call Confirmation.
Ordination. This is a right that ONLY a bishop can perform,
in the Catholic Church. Only a bishop can make a priest. You'll
notice that when we look at how initiation rites are
traditionally done in Wicca, any priest or priestess can make
another priest or priestess. And quite often, it looks like in
the oldest rites, it also involved a kind of "laying on of
hands". There was an imposition of hands that occurred in the
Catholic tradition, as well. And until that time, a novice
priest was actually told that it would be wrong or DANGEROUS for
him to perform some of the priestly functions unless he had been
made a priest!
And there were all sorts of stories in the old days that
only a priest could touch the consecrated elements. Only a
priest's hands -- only consecrated hands -- could touch the
vessels that held the consecrated elements: the chalice, the
monstrance, the ciborium, and so forth. This almost implies to
me, though it's never quite stated in this way, but it almost
seems like there is some sort of real, tangible, psychic energy
that is present.
I remember being regaled with stories when I was a little
kid going to a Catholic school where the nuns would tell these
wonderful stories about how some poor person was kneeling at the
altar rail waiting to receive Communion, and the priest comes
along to administer Communion, and drops the Host. And the poor
person reaches out to try to catch it, and at the first touch of
this consecrated object, there is a tremendous flash of
lightning, and the person is now a little pile of ashes on the
altar carpet. (LAUGHTER)
I don't think it's quite like that. But what it may be
saying is that some of these powers, even within magical
traditions or Pagan traditions, are tangible and do carry some
sort of psychic clout. I don't think lightning is going to flash
out of the sky and reduce you to cinders. But what we're saying
is a metaphor, really, that there may be some kind of psychic
backlash if you attempt to wield these magical energies before
your training has been finished, before you're ready to handle
them, before you understand what you're doing. In the same way
that a good psychotherapy session, if it uncovers too much
garbage from your subconscious, can throw you backward if you're
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not ready to deal with the stuff that's dredged up.
For those of you who believe there is some sort of validity
to the concept of "apostolic succession", the imposition of
hands, it also may imply that, when one priest or priestess makes
another priest or priestess, she is passing on a kind of MAGICAL
SHIELDING as well. A protection, so that you will be able to
handle these magical powers without any ill effect. For those of
you who believe that the initiation tradition is valid. Again,
if you want to see Pagan examples of that, look at some of the
work done by Alexander Carmichael. There is a rite called a
"shielding" where one person kneels, while a second person puts
one hand under their knees and the other hand over their head and
says "Everything that is between my two hands is protected and
seined by the Mother". The Goddess has control of everything in
this sphere. It's a passing on of this shielding, that until you
have, it might be dangerous for you to experiment with these
powers. IF you believe that's a valid idea. (We'll get into
questions of validity in just a minute.)

The Christian tradition of marriage, of course... Well, in

every society that we know of, we have rituals that talk about
people getting together. However, ever since the Judeo-Christian
system has come along, we've been firmly locked into only one way
of viewing marriage -- a monogamous way of viewing marriage, for
one thing -- with very little latitude in terms of variability.
If you look at the Pagan idea of Handfasting, if you go back to
the Irish pre-Christian brehon laws, you will find that they talk
about at least ten different forms of what we today call
marriage. These forms include such things as marriage between
two people of the same gender, marriage of more than two people
(what today we would call a "group marriage"), marriages that
only last for a "year and a day" or some other specified time
(what today we might call a "trial marriage"), marriages that did
not demand sexual exclusivity (what today we would call "open
marriage"), "contract marriage", the woman keeping her own name,
pre-nuptial and post-nuptial property arrangements. (If you've
ever read about the great pillow-talk argument between Queen
Maeve and King Aillil about who had the most property, you know
what I'm talking about!)

You know, it's fascinating to think that all of the

so-called marriage innovations that occurred in the 1960's, that
we thought were so mind-bogglingly new... nope! They were all
there in the old Pagan form of this rite. They were *standard*,
until the Christian form of marriage with its single theme, its
monogamous monotheistic vision, it's vision of the one right and
only way to do something, came along and knocked the older one
aside. But again, the Pagan origins are obvious.

The ecclesial sacrament called "Last Rites"... We have all

sorts of what we call "death blessings" in the Gaelic Pagan
traditions, to send the spirit on its way. For each person who
dies, there is one particular person assigned to be the leader of
these rites who from that time on is known as the dead person's
"soul friend". This is the one who will carry out the rituals,
remember them when Samhain comes around, set out the extra places
at the table, etc. We perhaps have less historical data on the
Last Rite theme than we have for certain other themes that we're
talking about here. But it is still there. And again a
reference to some of the early folklorists.

The one modern Christian sacrament that I cannot really find

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an exact parallel for in terms of a pre-Christian precursor in
Paganism is the sacrament the Roman Catholic Church calls
"Penance", or "Confession". Isn't that interesting? The whole
sacrament has to do with confessing your sins to a priest, who
then absolves you of the sins. It is a whole thing of guilt, and
release from guilt. Yes?
Morning Glory: There were blood guilt rituals, because if you
caused an accidental or even on-purpose death, you had to pay a
wyrguild to the family. In the New World, the Aztecs had a thing
where if you caused the death of someone, you became a surrogate
for that person. So there were things like that.
Mike Nichols: Okay, good point. I can think of an Irish example
of that, now that you mention it. The Chucullain legend is a
good example. Chucullain, who was originally Setanta,
accidentally on purpose kills this very ferocious dog, and walks
up to the gate-keeper and says, "I've killed your dog and I would
like to replace him." And the gate-keeper says "Fine, there go
some cats. Get busy." (LAUGHTER) I think that's where that
joke started.
Morning Glory: Samhain was also a time -- and Walpurgisnacht,
especially Walpurgisnacht -- was a time when you took stuff from
that year and purged it in the fire. And you would have to then
go and get it straight with any other people inside the Circle
that you shared.
Mike Nichols: I noticed that in a lot of the Pagan traditions,
the purging of one's "guilt" (and I think we're very misguided to
use the term "guilt" here)...
Morning Glory: Responsibility.
Mike Nichols: Responsibility, right -- is a matter of making
recompense to the person or persons who were wronged. It's not a
matter of carrying around a guilt trip until somebody says "Okay,
if you'll go through this ritual, you will be absolved."
(unidentified): A couple of things I've run into recently, one
was in a work of fiction. These three young girls rob this woman
who later turns out to be a Witch. It's on this psychic journey
where they have the bodies of these 12th century people. And one
ends up a peasant. And he couldn't help but notice these weird
little Pagan things that kept cropping up that these people had
kept for centuries. And one of the things was that on the first
day of Spring, the village priest preached a sermon that "dancing
leads to damnation". Apparently, on the first day of Spring, all
the peasants would go out and dance everything out. And that
would really help them out. It got rid of all the pains of the
Winter, someone had been murdered, and a baby had died of
starvation.
Otter Zell: There was a common form that I can't identify
specifically, but it's a theme I've come across in a lot of
anthropological studies. But it's the basis of what we call, not
a "trial" really, but more like "mediation". If there's a
conflict between parties about something or if someone feels
they've been wronged by someone, then the parties would be
brought together within the community of people, and everybody
would have to tell their stories. Then they would ask them "What
do you think would be a fair settlement? What do you think would
be fair?" And this was just talked out in the context of the
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community of people, until everything was worked out to
everyone's satisfaction. And we've used this ourselves in our
Circle under such situations, and it's been incredibly effective,
very powerful.

And the ultimate, if this could not be worked out, there

were several ways of dealing with it. The heaviest one was
generally banishment, where the person would simply be sent away.
And the next heaviest one would probably be ostracism, where the
person would not be spoken to. He would be ignored, they'd
pretend he didn't exist for a period of time. Highly effective.
Of course, the more simple and basic ones would be working out
appropriate compensation that everyone would be satisfied with.
So there were these procedures, but it wasn't the same thing as
"guilt". The concept of "sin" and "guilt", and the idea that you
could go to a priest instead of the person you'd wronged, and
that the priest could absolve your soul of guilt. And we still
have that today, where you go to a trial, and the judge finds you
"guilty" and he fines you or sends you to jail, but the person
who's been fucked over is still fucked over. (LAUGHTER)
Morning Glory: They don't get their money back that you stole.
It goes to the State, for some odd reason.

Mike Nichols: Exactly. These are things that I think we all

ought to think about. What I'm trying to do in the first part of
this presentation is to focus your attention on how we might be
able to look at Christian liturgical rites to find information
about their predecessors as to how they might have been done in
Pagan societies. Because all of these things we've talked about,
the so-called "seven sacraments of the Catholic Church -- if you
look for data that Jesus himself instituted these things, you
look practically in vain. Where in the world did the Church come
up with these things?

A great example of this, by the way (and it's an example I

use in my class quite often) is this. For a long time, after I
decided that I was going to be Pagan, I quit going to the
Catholic Church because it didn't interest me. It might have
been a mistake. One year while I was at college, I was home for
Spring break (it was Easter) and my mother dragged me along to a
service that happens on the Saturday night right before Easter,
"Holy Saturday" -- which has to be one of the most liturgically
rich occasions of the Church calendar. (If you want to see it
even richer, take a look at the Orthodox traditions, the Greek
and Russian Orthodox. They *really* know liturgics.) At any
rate...

I had forgotten how the Catholic Church blesses the holy

water that it's going to be using in the coming liturgical year.
But what happens, roughly, is this. The holy water font, which
is usually in the porch or vestibule of the church, is brought up
into the sanctuary and placed near the altar. And at one point
in this particular Mass, the priest walks over to this large
candle which is called the Pascal Candle. It is in place
throughout the Easter season. It has little herbs stuck in it
and so forth. He takes this candle out of its holder, walks over
to the holy water or Baptismal font (which looks, from my point
of view, remarkably like a large cauldron), and holds the candle
over the font, and starts doing *this* with it. (demonstrates by
plunging the vertical candle in and out of the holy water font)
(GASPS OF RECOGNITION AND LAUGHTER)

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(unidentified): You're kidding!
Mike Nichols: I'm NOT kidding. And after having studied
Paganism, and I saw that, it was like I was seeing it for the
first time. And I looked to the right and to the left to see if
anybody else, you know, realized what was going on. I mean, I
thought "Aren't there any *Freudians* in the audience?!?!"
(LAUGHTER) There was not one flicker of recognition, not one
flutter of an eyelid! I could not believe it!
And I knew there and then that obviously the Catholic Church
had not picked this up from Jesus. Where had the Catholic Church
learned to bless water? From us. And where had the Catholic
Church learned to do a lot of other stuff? From us. So, I think
it is richly rewarding for us to take a look at what they have
done in terms of liturgics.
Eldoreth Grey Squirrel: "Pagans take back the rite!" (LAUGHTER)
Mike Nichols: Exactly!! Exactly. I like that! That'll be the
title of my new book! (LAUGHTER)
Morning Glory: There's another aspect of that, too, with the
Host, the idea of consuming the body of the God. Sacred
cannibalism was certainly a factor that this came from. The
eating of the pressed grains of Dammuzi or Tammuz, the Green Man,
the vegetation god, and the eating of the body of the god, that's
definitely ours. Jesus was pretty much captured into the Tammuz
cycle, and much that we're working with is still in there.

Mike Nichols: I absolutely agree. And you'll notice that in all

this discussion we've only covered the seven basic ecclesial
rites of the Church. We're not even talking yet about all the
little incidental things the Church calls "sacramentals", like
the blessing of holy objects, the consecration of a church altar,
the consecration of the church building. Where did the
blueprint, where did the pattern for a lot of these rites come
from?
Morning Glory: Oh, on that note! The pattern of the church
building itself. The idea of having a temple where you did your
worshipping on the ground floor, and the basement is where you
bury your dead, that is a universal ancient custom. And it's the
same whether it's Chartres Cathedral or the so-called "palace of
Knosis", which is a necropolis, actually.
Otter Zell: You know, another thing that appears to me to be a
sacrament is the concept of purification. And somewhere during
the course of what you're saying, I was reminded of a custom of
the purification of people who had returned from a war in ancient
Pagan cultures. They basically had to pass through the holy
women who, by making love with them, would purify and renew them
and "take the war out of them". There have been some articles on
this recently.
Morning Glory: There is a great book out now called "The Woman
Who Slept with Men and Took the War Out of Them". It's by some
famous feminist that you've all heard of, and I can't remember
her name right now.
Mike Nichols: Sounds good! Okay, let's move on into the area of
liturgical theology. What we've been talking about so far is
liturgical history, the development of liturgical rites, and how
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I believe we must focus more attention on that historical
development. But now let's take a look at liturgical theology,
where we can start splitting theological hairs -- which is always
so much fun!

There are so many questions that have plagued Pagans for a

long time, and I was *delighted* to find that some of these same
questions had plagued the Christians down through the years. And
it was fascinating to see what they had to say about it. Some of
the greatest minds of the Catholic Church from St. Augustan to
Thomas Aquinas, whatever other horrible things they may have done
along the way, had some fascinating things to say about these
issues.

For example, why are some rituals done only once, like a
seining, whereas other rituals are repeated over and over again?
Take the Magic Circle itself, there doesn't seem to be any limit
on how many times you can do it. Let's look at one possible
answer. (But again, I'm gonna throw out more questions than
answers here.) But one possible answer is that certain rituals,
if properly done (whatever *that* means, and we'll get to that in
a minute), have a *permanent* effect on the person who undergoes
them. A permanent effect, an "indelible mark" as the old
catechism says, that cannot be erased.

Now, the question of how a ritual is to be done. How do you

know if a ritual has been done properly? For example, does a
ritual have an effect if there are no outwardly observable signs?
Any of you who have ever performed an initiation rite, I think
this has occurred to you. What happens if the initiation is all
done, and the person sits there saying "I don't feel any
different. Am I supposed to? Has anything happened to me?" And
you will occasionally find people who have been High Priests and
High Priestesses for quite a few years, who will perhaps talk
more freely about it than others, and among themselves they will
talk about whether an initiation "took". Did it "take"? Some of
them will say that after an initiation has been completed, the
rite was performed, the energies are set in motion, but it may
not "take" until after another month, and so forth. That it may
eventually take, but not right when the initiation was done. But
the energies are there.

Would you believe the same questions have been wrestled with
by the Catholic Church? Especially in the early days of
Christianity when the rite of Baptism was an adult rite, and it
meant that the person was supposed to entirely change their
outward behavior, totally give up certain things, and start
believing certain things. What if a person went through a
Baptism, which is supposedly a magical rite-- In those days,
Baptism and Confirmation were virtually the same rite, and could
only be done once because it was supposed to be effective the
first time. Remember the whole question of the "heresy" of the
Re-Baptists was on this precise point. If a person was baptized,
that supposedly made them a Christian, which would supposedly end
their career of "sin", in the eyes of the Catholic Church. But
what if they went out and sinned again? What if they murdered
someone? Should they get re-baptized?

The Catholic Church said no, they should not be re-baptized

because one Baptism is sufficient. The energies are already in
place, but it didn't "take". But only one per customer for the
rite itself. Now, it may be that the person was not "spiritually
disposed" to receive the energies generated by the sacramental
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rite. There was some blockage, something stopping them from
being receptive. We don't know what this is. That is perhaps
one of the reasons the ritual of Penance developed the way it
did. Because what do you do with a person who has sinned and yet
wants to come back into the body of the Church? (By the way,
certain people like the Donatists thought once they've sinned,
they're *out*. We *don't* allow them back in.)
(unidentified): My background was Fundamentalist, so I was
baptized in the river at about 12. And every time I would leave
and come back for a visit, all these people would want me to re-
dedicate myself, come up and be re-baptized. Now, is that just a
variation of the tradition? I'm trying to figure this out.
Mike Nichols: Yes, it is a variation. When the Protestant
Reformation occurred, one of the things that was most held up to
scrutiny, in fact, was the way the Catholic Church approached the
whole question of sacramental rites. One of the chief questions
(which we'll get to in a minute) is whether or not the
"worthiness" of the minister is an effective variable in the rite
itself. Does a priest in a state of sin-- What if a priest has
gone out and murdered somebody? He is in a state of mortal sin,
supposedly cut off from God and the Church. What if he then
baptizes somebody? Is that Baptism sacred? Is it valid? Or, as
a Pagan may put it, is the power in the person doing the ritual,
or is the power in the ritual? I think all of us have wondered
this, right?
I'll be talking about what some of the various Church
Councils have ruled on matters of liturgical theology in a
minute. But in this particular instance, the Catholic Church
decided that the power was in the rite, in the ritual itself. It
didn't matter whether or not the person conducting the ritual was
in a state of grace or a state of sin. This is one of the things
that Martin Luther took exception to. He felt that the spiritual
"health", if you will, of the person performing the ceremony was
a variable in how effective the ceremony was. And I'll show you
in a minute why the Catholic position disagreed with that.
Morning Glory: The thing about the Fundamentalist attitude about
Baptism, it's not a one per customer attitude. And a lot of that
has to do with the concept that's called "Baptism of the Holy
Ghost", which is an ecstatic experience that is repeatedly craved
and repeatedly done. It's like raising the power. So their
attitude about Baptism is not that this is a sacralizing agent as
much as it is an anointing for the purpose of raising power.
Mike Nichols: Let me ask you a question based on that. If a
person undergoes a rite of Baptism and doesn't experience this
influx of whatever, Holy Spirit, then is it assumed that they
were not baptized?
Morning Glory: Not by the Holy Ghost. If you don't speak in
tongues, then you didn't get the Holy Ghost. And that's the sign
of it. And they'll keep at it until you get it.
Mike Nichols: Ah! Okay, very good. The reason this ran into
problems in the Catholic Church was because of the many priests
who were declared to be heretical, in the Albigensens movement,
the Cathari movement, etc. What happens if a priest, an
*excommunicant* priest, performs a Baptism? Is that Baptism
valid?

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The Catholic Church said yes, for a number of reasons.
First of all, they developed two concepts: validity as opposed to
legality. The sacrament, or the rite itself, was considered
VALID in that it produced the desired effect on the person. Even
if a person came from a heretical sect into the Church, they were
not re-baptized. The Baptism only needed to occur once. It left
an indelible mark on that person's spirit or soul. It didn't
have to be re-done, right? However, that Baptism was ILLEGAL
from the point of view of Canon Law. The Canon lawyers, the
people who codified the ritual structure of the Catholic Church,
would say that this was a VALID but ILLEGAL (or illicit) rite.
The priest had no legal right to perform that ceremony.
By the way, in the Catholic Church, under certain special
conditions, anybody can baptize, including (are you ready for
this?) a non-Christian! In cases of emergency.
Morning Glory: Oh, for Last Rites and stuff!
Eldoreth Grey Squirrel: Interestingly enough, in the house I
grew up in, the crucifix opened up, and it had all the
paraphernalia in it for Last Rites.
Mike Nichols: Which raises some interesting questions for
Pagans. You know, Whitley Streiber recently told that wonderful
story about how he was taken by this group of people to perform
some sort of "witchcraft" ceremony, and it turned out these
people were Fundamentalists in disguise who did something
horrible to a goat, sacrificed it or something, and went through
this whole thing... Let's say, for some reason, that some Fundie
took it upon herself to portray the role of a Pagan priestess and
took somebody through a Pagan initiation. Is it valid? What if
they copied the rites exactly out of whoever, Starhawk, Adler,
Farrar, Gardner, whoever?
(unidentified): "Valid but illegal". (LAUGHTER)
Mike Nichols: What if the person who undergoes the rite has a
wonderful experience? Let me suggest to you how the Catholic
Church responded to that. It is valid for the same reason that a
Baptism performed even by a non-Christian is valid because the
person who confers the effects of the rite is not the minister,
but God! So in this case, we could say it is the Goddess, or
Whoever, who bestows that feeling on the initiate of having been
initiated. And the minister's part was negligible.
But that leads us into other problems, doesn't it? That's
saying that the rite itself, not the minister performing the
rite, is what gets it done. In the case of the Catholic Church,
this concept was legally defined by the Latin phrase "ex opere
operato", "by the work worked". In other words, it is the rite
itself, the power was in the ritual, not in the person who
performed the ritual. Yes, Otter?
Otter Zell: Well, there's got to be criteria we're dealing with
here. I mean, the fact that the Church decides what makes it
valid, that seems to be beside the point. To me, the person who
has to decide is the person who experiences it. I mean, if you
say "Okay, Domine Domine, you're all Catholics now" and somebody
says "Not me!", then they're *not*... aren't they? (LAUGHTER)
(unidentified): If it's the Middle Ages, they're *dead*.
(LAUGHTER)
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Otter Zell: They used to do that. The Church would come and
they would just march an entire village through the ford, you
know, and they would say "Now you're all Christians." And the
people would say, "Wait a minute! I'm not a Christian. I'm
going to continue worshipping Thor or Odin or whatever" (because
it was mostly Scandinavian countries they did this to). How can
you say they're Christians anyway, in spite of the fact they
don't want to be? I mean, aren't we missing something here?

Mike Nichols: I think you're right. And I think the whole focus
of this is to start people thinking on questions about validity,
and legality if it comes to that, in terms of Pagan rites. I am
not for a moment suggesting we follow the Christian precedent in
these matters. But they can indicate questions we need to think
about in terms of what *our* response to that, as Pagans, should
be.
Here's another example. If the rite *itself* is
effective... I bet any of you have gone through this. You have
a student and you're teaching the student to do a ritual, right?
How to cast a Circle for the first time. (Where's the sun?
Okay...) Start in the North, start with your Sword, and say
"Okay, student, now *do this*! 'Oh thou Circle, be thou a
meeting place--' And you walk the thing out for them. You come
back around to where you were and you say "Okay, did you see
that? That's how you cast a Circle." And then you go "Wait a
minute! Did I just cast a Circle?" We've all thought about
that. Morning Glory?
Morning Glory: Yes, but, yes, but when I have done this, or when
I do a demonstration at all, I don't put the power out. You can
even say the words, or you can walk it out, but you don't put the
astral fire down. You don't lay down the astral fire. Unless
you're showing someone how to lay the astral fire down, in which
case...
Mike Nichols: You're doing it. (LAUGHTER) Well, the same
question arose in the Catholic Church, and the answer is
remarkably similar. It came up this way. If a priest was
teaching a novice priest how to say Mass, how to perform the
Eucharist, and he actually pronounces the words of consecration,
and unbeknownst to him there is a small crumb of bread on the
table in front of him, is that now a holy crumb? Because the
Catholic Church had by now decided, remember, that the power was
in the ritual itself rather than in the person. So if the ritual
is done correctly, the proper words are said (and we'll get into
that in a minute, too: What are the proper words? What are the
proper gestures?), that crumb now is "the body and blood of
Christ", isn't it?
Again, this took a lot of quibbling, but before it was all
over the Catholic Church decided no, that crumb would NOT be the
body of Christ because of one little thing that was left out.
One thing that the minister does have to supply:
"intentionality". Intent! The person performing the rite has to
have the intent to be performing this sacred, magical rite. This
was also true, by the way, of that non-Christian who was
baptizing somebody. If the non-Christian was doing it as a joke,
it would not be considered valid. However, if a non-Christian
sincerely wanted to baptize somebody else as a Christian, and had
that intent, and did the rite with all of its elements properly,
that person was, in the eyes of the Catholic Church, baptized.
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Otter?
Otter Zell: Now, here's a question that concerns a lot of us
Pagans directly. A lot of us, when we were newborn babies and
unable to speak in our own best interests, were baptized.
(LAUGHTER) So, now, theoretically, once you're baptized, you're
a Christian. Well, uh... How do you deal with that? I know I'm
not a Christian. I sure don't feel like a Christian.
Morning Glory: It's like getting a tattoo removed, or something.
(LAUGHTER)
Otter Zell: Is there any way to get un-baptized? I mean, what
do you do about that?
Dix: Even if you go through, as I did, a free-choice baptism,
when you weren't screaming and protesting, then later on you
decide that this is all bullshit, it doesn't exist, I don't
believe in this stuff any more. Now maybe you're still a
Christian in the eyes of the Church, but that doesn't matter any
difference, because I don't care about the Church.
(unidentified): Right, I was just wondering, is there some way
the Church could recognize an way of un-baptizing yourself?

(unidentified): There is. Sitting through their boring rituals.

(LAUGHTER)
Otter Zell: But if you're not a Christian anymore,... I mean,
there has to be some way of dealing with that.
(unidentified): Otter, in whose eyes are you not a Christian?
In your eyes or their eyes? And at what point do their eyes
start mattering to you? Whatever they consider has no bearing on
you.
Otter Zell: It's not a matter so much of whose eyes. I'm just
kind of wondering, from the point of view of magical stuff, you
know, how one would interpret this. I mean, I know I'm not a
Christian and I'll certainly be happy to argue the case with any
of you that might wish to do so. But from a purely magical,
ritual perspective, if this magical ritual is done that has this
effect-- *Does* it have this effect? Do all these people who
were baptized, does that make them Christian? Or is it just
bullshit?
Eldoreth Grey Squirrel: Look at it this way, Otter. They stole
almost everything from us anyway, so what difference does it
make? (LAUGHTER)
Mike Nichols: (laughing) What you are doing, and what we're all
doing here, is beginning to develop questions about Pagan
liturgical theology. We are breaking new ground here, is what I
think. Well, I hope the word structure, if it has to be used at
all, is used very advisedly. I think Otter has already suggested
one possible Pagan response to this question, and that is that
the validity depends to some extent on the person upon whom the
rite is performed. That's one possibility. But what are all the
ramifications of this response, this theological stance? Okay,
there was somebody over here, yes?
(unidentified): One point about what the Church was doing is
that they had no competition. People were not given a choice,
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and the Church had the military to back them up. So that when
they said "This village is now Christian," they *knew* that that
village was not Christian. But they knew that, with no
information and no rituals allowed or anything, that the great-
grandkids would probably be Christian. Eventually they would be
assimilated into what they wanted, into the type of person they
wanted, because any radical would be killed.
(unidentified): I think you could make an analogy between
becoming un-Christian and getting a divorce. When I got my
divorce, I didn't have a special ritual for that, but I needed
that, that sense of closure, that sense of separation in a ritual
form. And I think that could be developed very easily. And I
think that also could apply to becoming un-baptized.

Mike Nichols: Good. This whole things raises a very important

question just from the psychological point of view for most
Pagans. Do we *need* an un-Christening rite?
(unidentified): From my viewpoint, when I was getting baptized,
for some reason I swear to God I thought he was going to drown
me, and I came up halfway through the "Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost" which he snarled at me later for. So I sorta screwed up
mine whether I knew it or not.
(unidentified): On the question of Baptism, in the Christian
church, in a metaphysical sense, Baptism is not all that's
required for salvation. It must still be worked out within the
Christian faith. If you do not work it out, then the Baptism is
a ritual that has not been fulfilled. It's the fulfillment that
makes you a Christian or not.
Mike Nichols: That's exactly right. Good point. Ellen?
Anahita: I have two things to say. One,
regarding my Baptism, I had the opposite experience. I mean, I
took swimming lessons, and they'd all prepared us, and I was
ready to go under and hold my breath and come out transformed.
And they did it so casually and so intellectually, it was like,
okay this is enough. And the tip of my nose didn't go under!
(laughing) My Achilles heel is the tip of my nose! So this is
where I got to be Pagan! (LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)
The other thing had to do with a Pagan ritual that we did
that might have some applications in this, where we just recently
formed a Circle from a Circle that had existed previously. And
we did a ritual to very gently and caringly disband the other
Circle in the best possible light and bring all the good things
in. I would hate to see a Pagan ritual that just cancelled
somebody's past, because however you come into Paganism is what
you were, in toto, including your Baptism. And what many of us
are mentioning, our religious experiences contribute to our
ability to relate to the Goddess as a Pagan, because that's who
you are. And if it was a fantastic Baptism, then so be it. I
mean, I've had screaming, crying, evangelical services, and
that's how I learned about spiritual ecstacy.
Eldoreth Grey Squirrel: You know where they got that from. They
stole it from Voudoun, historically.
Anahita: They stole it from every place. But it
was a real experience, you know, and that's your basis for
comparison.
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Mike Nichols: Let me comment on that point. One of the big
educational experiences I've had recently-- One of my dear
friends here in Kansas City is someone you've all seen here in
the last few days, Rhiannon, the one who stood on the chair--
She's a High Priestess that I respect with all my heart and love
very much as a good friend, but we had never actually worked
together until relatively recently. And I was astounded at the
difference in our approach. She, coming from a very Protestant
background, encourages you at every point in the ritual to speak
from your heart, practically never do anything the same way
twice. You know, you go to the Watchtower and invoke it using
words that come into your head at that moment, etc. Me, with my
stolidly Roman Catholic background, doing the same rituals and
the same repetitive patterns almost mantra-like time after time
and expecting the same results.
We'll get into, if we have time, the pros and cons of these
two approaches. Obviously, both of them valid approaches, right?
Both of them seem to work for each of us. Vastly different. And
obviously conditioned by our original religious upbringing. Yes?
Morning Glory: I want to bring up this question of validity
again. If you were initiated by a particular Alexandrian couple
who shall remain nameless, as many friends of mine were, and this
Alexandrian couple have repudiated their Craft credentials and
have become born-again Christians, and they're going around on
the circuit with their story of "I was a Pagan"-- All of the
people that those people initiated-- It would be like the
priests who went out and killed someone and then--
Mike Nichols: Or perhaps a better analogy, like the schismatic
bishops who split away from the Church and continue to ordain new
priests. Are those valid priests?
Morning Glory: Exactly. Yes. Well, that is an issue that we as
Pagans need to think about.
Mike Nichols: You know, in all of this discussion, I am working
from the premise that we are at too early a stage to formulate
answers. But I think it's high time we started articulating the
questions.
Anahita: Well, I can speak to that a little bit,
too. I just went to the 20th anniversary ritual for NROOD. And
I was amazed, because I had a lot of contact with them about 13
years ago when they were a seven year old religion. And the
*changes* that they have gone through in 20 years, I'm here to
tell you, are just really amazing! I mean, they were light and
free and it's so wonderful! Now, it's like, a lot of dogma. It
*was* a wonderful ritual and a wonderful time was had by all.
But they had changed some things in a very valid way, something
that didn't work and was probably better this way. But 13 years
ago, it was "Oh, those! Name it: Alexandrians, Gardnerians,
Orthodox Druids, whatever! You just have to have enough stars in
your hat to hang out with them." Well, now, guess what? You
have to have enough stars in your hat to hang out with NROOD!
(LAUGHTER) I mean, it's just really amazing. So, we can ask
questions till we're blue in the face, but the answers are gonna
be different in five years.
Mike Nichols: I hope that somebody chronicles those changes as
they go. They're going to be fascinating. Let me throw out
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another important question of liturgical theology. Is there a
way to *botch* a Pagan ritual so that it is non-valid or non-
effective, so that it doesn't work or *worse*, causes some kind
of magical boomerang effect that causes some sort of detriment?

For example, what if you teach somebody how to invoke the

Watchtowers, and you only tell them about three of them? What's
gonna happen in the Circle when they only invoke three? Is
anything? Does it matter? Does anything matter? (LAUGHTER) I
mean, does it, are there certain things that have to be there?
Are there certain elements?
From the perspective of the Catholic Church, for example, a
Baptism had to have certain specific components to be valid. A
certain set of materials had to be present: the water, the salt
to put on the baby's tongue, etc.; a certain set of words had to
be present; the minister who performed it had to be a valid
minister (which, in the case of Baptism, could be anyone), and so
forth.
Let me give you a quick example. It's been quite a few
years ago, but in my own Coven we were training somebody who was
new as a priestess. She had actually been instructed correctly
in invoking all four of the Watchtowers but, as it happened, when
she took the four elements around, things were confused that
night. It was her first ritual. And, somehow, something got
left out. And a little bit later, during the Circle, we were
doing some divinatory work, with a Ouija board. And please! In
my tradition, we use a Ouija board for divinatory work. At any
rate, halfway through the ritual, there was some kind of
manifestation which at least a good portion of us saw. It looked
like a kind of cloudy, dark hand had reached over the planchette.
(I hate to be telling a bad Ouija board story because they're
maligned enough!) (LAUGHTER)
But this kind of cloudy-looking hand reached in over the
Ouija board. And everybody sort of jumped back like they were
shocked. And I think most people there were thinking, "What the
heck is that?" But my first thought (again, maybe because of my
religious upbringing) was "How did that thing get into a
carefully warded Circle?" There should not *be* any extra energy
or entity in here that we didn't call ourselves, or want! And I
started going back over the procedure and realized that (in our
system, it is the incense that represents the element of Air)
this particular priestess had not taken the incense around the
Circle at the time of the consecration of the Circle. So, from a
purely legalistic point or whatever, the Circle had not been
consecrated by the element Air. Which theoretically would allow
some sort of sylph or air-related entity to get through. You
know, it wasn't properly warded by all four elements.
Can you screw up a rite? I mean, what things *have* to be
present in order for there to *be* a Circle? And what things can
be left out? What things can you change? What things can you
*not* change? Yes, Carolyn?
Carolyn Clark: I have a story that relates to that. One day a
long, long time ago, when I was very, very new to the Craft, I
knew a girl named Michelle who liked to dabble in Ceremonial
Magick. And I knew a little bit about Ceremonial Magick.
(Famous words: "I knew a little bit about Ceremonial Magick.")
(LAUGHTER) So we did a Mars ritual. We did it on the right day,
Tuesday night. And it was a little bit out in the country
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because Michelle was into cultivating certain controlled
substances. And, in the middle of the ritual, there were red
lights flashing in all the windows, and I thought "Oh, shit!
It's the fuzz!" So we hurried up and finished the ritual,
banished the Circle, looked out the window and... there weren't
any cops there. There was nobody there.
Mike Nichols: I think a very *common* experience of this sort,
which most of us probably have experienced in the course of our
magical training at one time or another, is how it feels to be
psychically kicked in the head when power is not correctly
grounded. (EXCLAMATIONS OF AGREEMENT) Right? How many can
relate to that? Otter?
Otter Zell: One that I've encountered a number of times in
rituals I've gone to over the years, in particular with a group I
prefer not to mention because Ellen has already done that
(LAUGHTER) is this sort of arbitrary choice of directions.
"Well, which way feels like East today?" And I've actually
attended these things where with great pomp and ceremony someone
will face the south and invoke the East. And then we'll maybe
turn to the west and invoke the South. You never know where
they're gonna go.
Mike Nichols: There are actually instructions like that in some
popular book on the Craft. Is it the Farrars? It actually says
in it that it doesn't matter where the directions are as long as
everyone agrees upon them.
Eldoreth Grey Squirrel: They call that "consensus reality".
(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)
Chris: It also raises the question of basic styles, and various
traditions. I've been in this situation where I was doing some
chakra work, and this person I was working with just didn't
understand the symbolism. And I was in pain for days.
Mike Nichols: I think the best analogy here is "small child with
chemistry set". (LAUGHTER)
Morning Glory: "Talking Wicca Blues", I think, is the final word
on that. (LAUGHTER)
Mike Nichols: Yes, yes! Okay, but see, all of these questions
all bear on the same point: What is really necessary for that
ritual to be done effectively (and *safely*, in many cases)?
What things about a ritual can you change without hurting the
nature of that ritual? What things can't you change? Morwen?
Morwen: I've seen a lot of recipe books and I've seen a lot of
possible recipes for the same dish. If you're going to be
attending a Circle where you invoke the four quarters, then you'd
better remember to do the correct things at each one, or you
could leave a gap. Just like if you're baking a cake, you'd
better remember the baking soda, and remember to butter the pan.
But if you're going to do a Circle where you're not going to do
the quarters, you could invoke the magic Circle without even
thinking about the four directions. Because you're invoking a
magic Circle based on a different structure.

Eldoreth Grey Squirrel: There was a guy at Pagan Spirit

Gathering whose particular approach to Paganism was to get ideas
from the old Celtic traditions. And he says he can't find
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anything that justifies the invocation of quarters, the quarter
points. He was convinced there was no such thing as quarter
points in the way the Celts practiced their religion.
Mike Nichols: I might argue with that, based on their stone
circles and such. But on the other hand, I'd be willing to bet
that the way quarter points got into modern Wicca was through
ceremonial magick. I don't think there's any doubt about that.
Morning Glory: But isn't it interesting that Native Americans
have the same thing in the Medicine Wheel? It may be that
there's a certain universality in the four quarter points.

Otter Zell: It also connects with the natural world. We're all
trained in levels of metaphor and the magic Circle itself is a
metaphor for so many different cycles. It's a metaphor for any
cycle, and cycles can be broken up in different ways. But
certainly the four-quarter system works awfully well on a planet
that rotates around its axis, which gives you four directions.

Mike Nichols: The basic question we're raising here is, can
somebody just create their own ritual system from scratch? Or
does it have to link up to the real world around us?
Otter Zell: I've seen certain systems that are just made up out
of whole cloth, and they're presented as valid traditions by the
people who just make them up, and they're just somehow cuckoo.
They don't feel right. Remember, there was this anti-astrologer
guy running around, Owen Rachel, and he was anti-magic, and
anti-Pagan and everything else. So then he came out with this
book of weird astrology, called "Sky Triangles" or something like
that, or "Sky Diamonds". And it was supposed to be his
astrological system, and it was supposed to be more valid. And
he just made up this weird bullshit, and none of it made any
sense, and none of it worked. But he sold a lot of books.

Anahita: But sometimes you can make up a system

and it *does* work. And I loved your answer, incidentally, Mike.
I didn't have to ask my question because you answered it. The
way you were talking about it was, "In my tradition, it's
important to invoke the four quarters..." And I thought, "Aha!
But you can decide to have a Circle that doesn't use four
quarters."

Eldoreth Grey Squirrel: And even when you think you're making
something up from scratch, you find out later that somebody else
thought of it already. I created a magical ritual based on the
"Silmarilion", which Mike and I actually performed. And it had
six quarter points. And I found out later on that some Native
Americans in Oregon and Washington have six. It was exactly the
same thing that I did. I had up and down in mine. I had never
heard of that before.
Otter Zell: If you understand the concept of how the energy
works, of how the elements of the thing work... It's like, you
can make up a recipe yourself if you understand how to cook, if
you understand how to season, and so on. You can get to where
you're making this stuff up and it'll work. But if you don't
understand the patterns and the elements that well...

Morning Glory: "Small child with chemistry set".

Eldoreth Grey Squirrel: It gives a whole new meaning to "Magic
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Chef". (LAUGHTER)
Mike Nichols: Let me bring this back to something here... As
far as the final determination of the Catholic Church as to what
consists of a valid sacrament, they came up with these things.
And it might be interesting to at least note them, to see what we
would have to say about them from a Pagan perspective. But to be
a valid sacramental rite -- And again, this is magic in the views
of the Ca-- I mean, they don't call it magic, but a sacrament to
the Catholic Church is an "effective" ritual, meaning that it has
an actual objective effect. Magic, in other words.
So, a rite had to have what was called the proper "matter"
and "form", first of all. "Matter" pertains to the materials
used, as well as the gestures used. The "form" had to do with
the words that were spoken. In magical contexts, you might think
of this as the incantation, that part of the spell which is
spoken. It had to be performed by the proper minister. Now,
this could vary depending on the particular rite. Only a bishop
could ordain a priest, but anyone could perform a Baptism, even
non-Christians. And finally, it had to have intentionality on
the part of the performing minister. So, in the view of the
Catholic Church, it is impossible to accidentally, or
inadvertently, perform a sacramental rite. That is not possible,
from the point of view of Canon law.
Now, I'm not suggesting that Paganism take this same
approach. I'm just suggesting that we in the Pagan movement
think about it. Canon lawyers were then assigned the task of
codifying which things were needed for a particular rite. Think
of the way rites were elaborated. You know, a Baptismal rite, in
terms of Canon law, consisted of a very few things. Actually, it
didn't even include the salt. Just the pouring of the water, and
the speaking of the words, "I baptize you in the name of the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." That was sufficient for
the rite. Now, if you've ever actually gone to a Church Baptism,
you know that it is elaborated endlessly. This thing can be
carried out for hours if the minister wants to. But the only
thing that's really *necessary*, the bare minimum requirements
for a valid right, are just those words, and those elements,
performed by the right minister, with proper intention.
Interestingly enough, when the Catholic Church started doing
this, it led to a kind of minimalist approach in terms of
rituals. The priests had been taught that the power of the rite
was in the rite itself. It only needed to have A, B, and C in
order to be effective or valid. Therefore, they only did A, B,
and C. And it didn't matter what kind of state of grace the
minister was in. So they started rushing them through pretty
quickly. This is one of the main things that Martin Luther took
exception to, and it gave birth to the Protestant Reformation.
Because priests had been performing these ceremonies almost by
rote, with the bare minimum standards in terms of Canon law as to
what was required for an effective or valid sacrament.

Morning Glory: There was a lot of issue about that, especially

in regard to marriage, whether a marriage was valid or legal.
And whether the children of that union were legitimate or
illegitimate depended upon how it was done, and whether there
were elements that were missing. If somebody didn't say, or
refused to say, "I do", for instance. Because lots and lots of
women were married against their will. It's like in "The
Princess Bride": "Did you say 'I do'?" "No, I didn't." "Well,
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in that case, you weren't." (LAUGHTER)
Dix: What you were saying about elaborating a ritual... That
brings up a question. When you are doing a rite, and you are
adding more stuff, can you detract from it? At what point do the
additions, the accretions that you keep adding on, where does it
begin to take away from the rite?
Mike Nichols: I know that certainly it can diminish the
psychological dimension of a rite. I've seen so many examples
where, say, you're doing an initiation tonight. Now that means,
to me, the whole thing should focus on this person's initiation.
It is *their* night. But somebody else over here has another
spell they want to do, and somebody over here has something they
want to do, and by the time the whole thing is done, it's this
incredible mish-mash with no central focus whatsoever. To me,
very bad in terms of liturgical design.
Morning Glory: It's aesthetically piss-poor. (LAUGHTER)

Mike Nichols: Right. I meant to conclude this whole workshop

(or whatever the heck it is) with a section on liturgical design
or aesthetics, which we're just beginning to touch on. It's
obvious that we won't be able to get into that too much, but I
think it's good that we bring up at least some points about
aesthetics. Yes?
(unidentified): Yeah, but what if you have the proper elements
of the ritual, and you do things in the right order, and you
intend for it to be a magical ceremony, and it's just dead. No
one's excited, half the people can't remember their lines, or are
making them up on the spot without putting a lot of thought into
it. There's no spirit there.
Morning Glory: Their hearts are pure, but their theater is
lousy. (LAUGHTER)
Mike Nichols: Yes. Good intentions is not a valid excuse for
poor ritual. Absolutely. To me, well, I've often used a
communications model for rituals. To me, like language, rituals
have a certain grammar, a certain syntax that it needs to follow,
a certain order. For example, let's say you're doing a Circle
and it's a high holiday, so you're doing a typical holiday
celebration but, as a part of that, you're also doing an
initiation. When does the initiation come? Well, to me, it
seems obvious that the initiation should come during the early
part of the evening ceremonies so that, once that person is
initiated, they may now participate fully in the seasonal
celebration. Right? Rather that leaving them out for it, and
doing their initiation at the end.
So, it seems to me that there is sort of a logic of rituals,
a grammar, a syntax, for doing ritual. Now, just because you
learn the rules of that grammar (and I suspect there are some
very definite rules that we could get into if I had the time),
but just because you know the rules of grammar doesn't make you a
great writer.
Morning Glory: Persistence is nine-tenths of any art, not that
it helps to be nine-tenths of an artist. (LAUGHTER) There's
another part of this, which is the problem of the hodge-podge
ritual. When you have conflicting elements. When somebody wants
to do a ritual to heal the earth. And someone else wants to do a
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ritual to get prosperity for their Aunt Sadie. And someone else
wants to do something to get a new house. And some things are
really quite conflicting. One group wants to do a ritual to heal
the earth, and so they want to put this mellow energy out. But
someone else says, "Yeah, but we wanna stop those bulldozers that
are coming in, so we wanna get this martial energy to zap their
transmissions and make them fall out on the road!" And so then
there's this conflict on how to approach things, and things can
get really out of hand.

Carolyn Clark: Where we see that a lot is where somebody will

come to the Circle and say, "I really need to get in touch with
the Demetre part of me." Or, I really need to get in touch with
such-and-such god-form. And my response is, "Yes, you need to do
that. Then, do it. But not at this Circle."

Morning Glory: It's like chocolate icecream and limburger

cheese.
Mike Nichols: I find the same problem in combining elements from
different traditions. That's a problem for me. Now,
theologically, I might agree that all the names of the Goddess
are merely different aspects of the same Goddess. Fine. But I
still have a problem thinking, how is the goddess Demetre going
to get along with the goddess Arianrhod or Cerridwen? (LAUGHTER)
They're very different forms, and to me, well, another analogy I
sometimes use is, let's say you're in a new home and you want one
room of this home to be a library. You know you want certain
things to be in that library, to make it a library. You're gonna
want shelves for the books. You're gonna want the books. You're
gonna want a comfy chair to sit in and read. You're gonna want a
reading lamp near it. You're gonna want a library table,
perhaps, or a writing desk. And so forth.
But let's say you go out and you buy early American
bookshelves. You buy an Edwardian writing desk. You buy
Victorian chairs. You buy modern chrome and glass lighting
fixtures. What you have is a library, granted, because all of
the elements are there. But nothing fits aesthetically. It's
like a ritual smorgasbord. To me, the elements have to fit
together aesthetically in order to work right.
(unidentified): I've tried to walk a fine line between Feminist
and Traditional Wicca, because I like both. But how does this
work for a solitary, or a person who has little access to a
Coven? I've had a very hard time designing my own rituals. I
found a little books that tells the elements on what goes in a
ritual, and I try to follow that. Even though I may take a
little bit from Doreen Valiente, because I like the way she says
this one thing. But then the Farrars have a lot. And then I'll
stick in a little Starhawk. But the thing is, they're all geared
more to Covens. Now, does that make it invalid for a solitary?
Mike Nichols: I would-- Please! Don't start asking me what's
valid! (LAUGHTER) See, there's a danger in even discussing this
because there's always a danger of falling into that trap.
(unidentified): Is there a way to get in touch with other
Solitaries?
Morning Glory: There is a Solitary convention.
Chris: Single rooms everywhere! (LAUGHTER)
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Mike Nichols: Scott Cunningham has a book coming out geared to
Solitary Craft work. Let me answer the first part of your
question first. I think it is possible to be eclectic and yet to
avoid eclecticism within one particular ritual. Do tonight's
ritual as a Celtic ritual, and next month's ritual as an Egyptian
ritual if you want to, but don't mix Celtic and Egyptian in the
same ritual. That's at least my point of view, my bias. I'm not
saying that's some sort of dogma or rule about liturgics. It's
my aesthetic, and I think aesthetics are important to ritual.
Carolyn Clark: When you're working on certain things, when
you're doing a very tight ritual-- For instance, if I'm doing a
ritual to get in touch with that part of the Mother and that part
of me which fructifies and causes creativity to flower, then I
would probably call on all the Goddess names, all the aspects of
the Goddess from all cultures, that do that one thing.
Mike Nichols: Yes, I understand that completely. As a matter of
fact, one of the forms I most love that I learned from the Roman
Catholic tradition is that called a litany, a reading of a long
list of petitions or names of Goddesses and Gods. And that is so
effective in a Pagan ritual, especially if its done as a
responsorial. That can build power like you just wouldn't
believe! I use that quite a lot in my own rites.
Let me jump to another subject which was raised earlier: the
tension which exists between those things which are spontaneous
in a ritual, where you just think up something to say on the spur
of the moment, as the spirit moves you, as it were; or those
people who follow rites that are very patterned, very
repetitious, very rhythmic, if you will. Now, I was certainly
brought up in that school of thought. And one thing that I've
read recently, which I found to be a fascinating argument in
favor of that tradition -- not invalidating the other, but in
support of the repetitious tradition -- is that recent studies of
the left hemisphere / right hemisphere brain split have shown
something very interesting.
Language, as you know, is a very linear system. And
typically, that is a left hemisphere brain function. Anytime you
are composing a sentence -- what I'm doing up here right now --
is very left hemisphere. Whenever someone is confronted with
making up the invocation at each Watchtower, they are virtually
working entirely left hemisphere. Whenever you are working with
language, I was originally taught, you are working with left
hemisphere.
There is an interesting exception. Those things that are
words that are commonly repetitious. When you sing a Christmas
carol year after year after year, to the point you don't even
have to think about the words as you sing it, your right brain
hemisphere is operating just about on a par with the left,
according to studies.
Carolyn Clark: I do that with chanting. While my left brain is
occupied with that, my right brain is free to do all kinds of
other things.
Mike Nichols: Right! It's sort of like a mantra. You know, for
people from Protestant backgrounds, it sometimes comes off like,
well, those Catholics just say their prayers by rote.
"HailMaryfullofgracetheLordiswiththee." They can toss those off
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in no time at all. There's no power in it, there's no feeling in
it, there's no spirit in it. The other point of view, however,
is that the actual words themselves sort of take a back seat to
the meaning, which is superimposed on top of those. And I can
tell you from doing rituals in my life in the highly repetitive
way, I feel like you, that it has freed my mind to go to perhaps
deeper levels than if I had to do it differently every time.
And by the way, notice how that's true in group rituals,
too. If the High Priestess -- and I see a lot of this today --
she will not do the same ritual twice! And consequently, the
entire Coven is sort of sitting back watching the High Priestess,
saying, "Okay, what's she gonna do *this* time?" Never allowing
them to really get into the ritual in a psychological way. When
you're already familiar with something, like that Christmas
carol, it enables everybody to participate fully, because they
know what's going to happen, they know what to expect. They're
not looking for changes in the script.
Another thing that's interesting about that kind of
repetitive work is that, when you do throw in a change, for a
particular seasonal variation or something, it stands out. It
stands out in contrast to the way you've always done it before.
At a Handfasting, when you invoke the blessing of the Lord and
Lady, instead of "onto ALL who stand before Thee", you say "onto
TWO who stand before Thee", the changing of the words immediately
focuses on the couple becoming handfasted. You hear that change;
it registers.
Anahita: But isn't that same thing true for an
aesthetic, well-worded, channelled experience, that a Priestess
may have?
Mike Nichols: Yeah, but it sorta does put everyone else in the
position of spectator. It becomes a spectator sport nine times
out of ten. Or else, you are actively, consciously, left-
hemispherically being involved in the production of this dramatic
play. You're not getting to relax and simply experience the
*known*, and the comfortable. And that's what I think we need to
have more of.
By the way, whenever you have repetition, you also have
rhythm. And this brings in a whole different dimension. The
drumming, the chanting, and everything else that goes with
repetition. I think good ritual pacing has a rhythm of its own.
Something else that we totally ignore these days in
liturgical design is the use of silence, which can be VERY
powerful. You know how something happens which is really
meaningful and everyone's wowed by it, and somebody else just
goes right into the next thing. Doesn't let you have the chance
to absorb that at all. I'm not talking about that kind of deadly
silence where nothing is happening and no one knows what to do.
No. I'm talking about those quiet moments that really empower
what you've just experienced. Yes, Eldoreth?
Eldoreth Grey Squirrel: Well, as someone else who was "lowered"
Catholic (as opposed to "raised" Catholic), there is a problem
when you have something that is repetitious. Unless the person
really wants to be empowered by this, what their mind is most
likely to do is to think about anything BUT the ritual. At least
as a child, I found this true. "Okay, time to daydream. It's
the same old thing again."
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Mike Nichols: I think a great deal of the blame there has to do
with the fact that as children, you were indoctrinated into this
before the time you were ready to think about it. You didn't
understand the rite. Nobody had explained it to you. You were
simply going through the motions. To me, that's not magic,
that's superstition. When you just go through the motions. It's
just mumbo-jumbo.
I don't want to run overtime, and we already are a minute or
two. Let me just conclude by saying that what I feel we've been
doing here is ground-breaking work. I was *delighted* to have a
group of people already so involved and so experienced, to have
made such wonderful contributions. I'd like to welcome you all
as being, I think, some of the first Pagan liturgical theologians
around. (LAUGHTER) And I hope you'll continue working on it.
Thank you! (APPLAUSE)
Eldoreth Grey Squirrel: Mike, I have an alternate title for your
book.
Mike Nichols: What's that?
Eldoreth Grey Squirrel: "The Rite Stuff." (LAUGHTER AND GROANS
OF APPRECIATION)

Editorial: Web of Wyrd number 10

Julia Phillips
During the Middle Ages, a great many men and women were put to death on charges of
heresy. Nearly all of them were innocent of any crime; nearly all of them were
guilty of no more than being a scapegoat for someone else's accusations and
projected fears.
Fortunately, today we have grown beyond such barbaric inhumanity - or have we? As a
race, have we truly evolved, or is humanity still groping around in a mire of
discontent, seeking for victims on which to project its fears and failures? If we
consider the way in which the medieval witch was hunted, accused and held up to
public condemnation, and then compare this process with the way in which modern
society deals with its victims, then I would say that the human race has not evolved
in the slightest.
Consider: often for no reason other than he or she offended someone, a man or woman
living in medieval Europe could be taken as a heretic, and with evidence (sic) being
no more than hearsay, tried and found guilty of charges of which they were mostly
entirely innocent. Their accusers were not interested in truth, but in judgement;
and justice certainly had no role in their scenario. To absolve themselves of any
blame in this autocratic process, the accusers made sure that public opinion was
swayed against the victim. How? By publishing details of the "crime"(sic), which
were then distributed to as wide an audience as possible.
Students of English Literature will know of the enormous influence which the humble
pamphlet cast on the population - which, despite high illiteracy, had sufficient
numbers able to read aloud to a gathering in a town square. We all know how quickly
rumour and innuendo spreads - any grapevine in any social group is proof positive of
just how quickly information can passed along; and sadly, we all know that there
need be no shred of truth in that information for it to be spoken about, considered,
and accepted as fact.
The medium of the pamphlet proved to be so efficient and effective that it
developed, and in time became the newspaper, newsletter, and ultimately, the
magazine. In all cases, the emphasis is upon the distribution of information to as
large a number of people as possible. In all cases, those reading (or hearing) the
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information have a predilection to believe what they read to be the truth. Modern
print is often no more truthful than that of a 16th century pamphlet, which might
describe how a witch succumbed to the charms of the Devil, flew to the Sabbat riding
on a goat, where she devoured unbaptised infants, and took part in many lewd and
disgusting practices. Unfortunately though, having "read about it in the
paper/magazine/leaflet..." most people assume that they are reading the truth, and
are often willing to believe the worst.
There are numerous examples of this process at work in modern society: in some
countries, information is manipulated deliberately by politicians and journalists.
In other countries - and I would include all of western civilisation in this - the
manipulation is as pervasive, but less obvious. As the saying goes: "you can
believe nothing you read in the papers but the date, and they sometimes get that
wrong".
Unfortunately though, people do believe what they read in the papers, see on
television, and hear on radio, just as our ancestors believed that the woman led
screaming to her death was a concubine of the Devil, a devourer of babies, and that
she copulated regularly with her cat, or other animals. We are quick to condemn the
Christian Fundamentalist for spreading lies and propaganda, but what about the lies
and propaganda spread by Pagans and occultists? It offends my intellect to read of
claims by self-professed witches of traditions handed down since time immemorial, or
of secret arcane traditions known only to an elect few, but it offends my
sensibility that these people, claiming to be following a spiritual path, have such
contempt for Truth.
We are no less human or fallible than our non-Pagan neighbour, but we are engaged in
a continual search for Truth: both within and without. We are not perfect, but we do
seek for our highest ideal, and we do strive ever towards it, no matter what our
particular path. Therefore to me it seems a particularly unpleasant kind of action
for a writer knowingly to misrepresent his or her background and/or experience,
simply to acquire some spurious prestige.
The editor of a Pagan/occult newsletter or magazine has an even greater
responsibility, for rarely is the publication subject to professional editorial
control, and yet it is generally fairly widely distributed, and its readers tend to
believe what they see. As an example, we can look at the sad death of Scott
Cunningham; within hours of his death being announced, the rumours that he died of
AIDS were widespread. The fact that his family and his closest friends have stated
any number of times that he died of meningitis is neither here nor there: to a great
many people around the world, Scott Cunningham will have died of AIDS. Why? Because
it was reported in Pagan magazines, and they can't be wrong - can they?
Not only can they be downright wrong, they can also be inaccurate or misleading -
sometimes deliberately so. I have seen newsletters recently where a matter best
dealt with quietly, between those concerned, has been fought in the public arena
using very much the same means as the medieval inquisitor. Defamatory and highly
emotional printed leaflets, with scant attention to the truth, have been published
and circulated throughout the Pagan/occult communities in the USA, Britain and
Australia during the last year. Highly respected writers in Britain
have recently been subjected to threats, with accusations and counter-
accusations filling countless pages in pamphlets, newsletters, and magazines.
What, you might wonder, has this to do with a personal quest for Truth? Very little,
in my opinion, hence my remarks above that the human race appears to have made no
progress at all in its essential characteristics in hundreds of years. The only
difference is that today, we have far more efficient means of spreading the
information to greater numbers of people.
I have seen too many attempts at character assassination over the last year or so to
believe that it is an isolated incidence, perpetrated only by one or two people. It
has happened in Britain; in Australia; in the USA. The modus operandi has been
identical in every case: an untruthful statement has been made about one or more
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individuals, sometimes supported by evidence (sic) of a spurious nature; the
accusations have been published in print, or electronic media, and distributed to a
wide audience. Even where the statement is so absurd, that no-one knowing the
accused would believe it for a moment, those who do not know the accused are left
wondering. This kind of trial by media is sick, and those who perpetuate it -
usually self-professed "Pagans" - are, quite frankly, despicable.
If we, as a community, are to come of age, then we must rid ourselves of these
contemptible troublemakers. We can't stop them publishing their pamphlets, or typing
out their lies, but we can ignore them, and stop giving credence to their venomous
pens. As with the victims of the Middle Ages, the victims within our own community
are being used as scapegoats for someone else's fears and guilt; the only way to
fight this particular plague is to ignore it. Deprived of an attentive audience, the
pamphlet bandits will soon give up and go away.

PR Flyer
By Raven
This may answer some of the questions being asked about Wicca on PODSNet. If you
print it up nice, it may also help in answering questions OFF PODSNet.
Mind you, it is only ONE possible rendition; opinions are GUARANTEED to vary.
About three years ago, I did a little PR flyer to hand out when Wiccans were doing
public events (for instance, Beltane Maypole dancing in the local park) and curious
passersby would ask just what the heck was going on. If you like the idea, use it
-- and feel free to adapt it as needed, for your own group.
Written 1991 by Raven. NO COPYRIGHT. This is placed into the public domain.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
What You Wanted to Know about Witches *
* (but were afraid to ask)
Q. Do you worship the Devil (Satan)?
A. No, for three reasons.
First, we don't venerate evil in any form: our chosen religion is
a celebration and affirmation of life and living things, as opposed
to their destruction or harm. As we believe that good or evil done
will return upon the doer, this does not encourage doing evil.
Second, Satan is a figure in Judeo-Christian beliefs -- originally
not even an opponent of Yahweh, but more like his prosecuting
attorney (as in the Book of Job). Those who do worship Satan
actually accept the later Christian theology, with Satan as
Yahweh's opponent, but choose to support Satan's side of the
battle. We are not Christians or Satanists, and do not accept
their theology or worldview, so we would no more worship Satan
than, for instance, Christians would worship the Aztec God
Quetzalcoatl; he simply has no place in our beliefs. (We prefer
the figure of Pan, who does have horns but is a much nicer fellow.)
Third, we think history shows that, if you invest belief and
emotion in any idea or thought-form, you give it strength and power
in your own life -- it becomes more real TO YOU. We have no wish
to invite hostile entities into our lives and give them such power
over us, which is why we don't venerate any form we consider evil.
That's also why we're shocked to see how much energy some
Christians invest in Satan.
Q. Then why do I hear those things about you?
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A. "Devil-worship", baby-killing, cannibalism and all that? These
are typical accusations made by one religion against another.
The Syrians accused the Jews of ritual murders long before Christ;
then the Romans accused the Christians (who at least claimed to be
eating someone's body and blood every week); then the Christians
accused the Jews and Muslims and every other religion; today
different Christian denominations even accuse each other. Making
wild accusations not only sells newspapers, and books, and movies;
it helps drum up support for the Religion Of Your Choice. This is
a cynical use of hate, fear, and ignorance, but as long as it works,
it will be used. (And there will always be psychotics willing to
live up to the image -- then claim "the Devil made me do it.")

Q. If not Christian theology, what do you believe in?

A. Life. We see the entire Universe, all matter and energy, as
bursting with life, loving its own living parts -- including us --
and gathered in one eternal dance. We try to catch the tune and
dance to the beat.
Sometimes we call the leading dancers Light and Dark, or Sun and
Moon, or the Lord and the Lady, Cernunnos and Ceridwen, Pan and
Diana, or by other names. These represent the duality in all
things -- male and female, yang and yin -- neither side of which
can be denied or ignored, even within ourselves.
(We hope this helps us avoid the error that some worshippers of a
single deity have made, such as thinking that "since God is all
good and God is male, therefore anything female or feminine is
evil.")
Our feeling about the Gods is that they are teachers, family
members, and fellow dancers: not some untouchable abstraction
infinitely distant, but an intimate part of our own lives. Our
feeling about other religions is that they, too, are part of the
universal dance: not enemies, but fellow strugglers seeking as we
do, to live and learn to keep time with the music.

Q. What is this ceremony you're doing?

A. It depends on the moment. You may be watching a circle dance, or a Maypole
dance, or a feast of "cakes and ale", or just a group hug.
(We like to have fun.) Possibly, since you were handed this, you're watching us
"cast a circle". That's one of our basic religious ceremonies.
When we "cast a circle", we mark off a space as dedicated and protected for our use,
rather like Christians consecrating a church. (The difference is, we don't need a
building, and we let the space go back to normal after we've used it.) Within this
circle, we ask for the protection of guardians -- call them the four elements of
Air, Earth, Fire, and Water, or the four archangels Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, and
Uriel -- again, the names may vary. Then we invite the Lord and the Lady to be with
us for a time. We have a nice visit, a little snack of cookies and wine (or fruit
juice), and then everyone goes home. It's very friendly.
Along the way, sometimes we ask for help with our problems, such as healing an
injury or illness; if you believe in the power of prayer, it's the same sort of
thing -- but we try to put our own energies into the task, rather than asking
someone else to do all the work.

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Q. How will what you are doing affect me?
A. If you're not participating, then probably no more than any other
religious service you watch from outside. If you're shocked by other religions, you
might choose to be shocked by ours. (Ours is just out where you can see it, instead
of hidden by walls.) Or you might choose to accept our part of the universal dance
as valid if different from your own. You might even choose to participate -- and
people of good will are generally welcome among us.
Even if you do participate, there's no reason to take any effect from our services
that you don't choose to accept. Since -- for our own sakes -- we ask for nice
things to happen, the biggest possible results involve no danger. If we ask for
more harmony in the world, and your life becomes more harmonious, then you benefit
from the same general effect as if a church's prayer for world peace had worked.
(After that, if you don't like harmony, you could always work to make your own life
more discordant; whatever suits you.)

Q. Do all Witches practice the same way you do?

A. There are about as many "denominations" of Witches as there are of

Christians, and since no-one is forced to keep One True Orthodox Way, even a single
group may do things differently from time to time. The two mottoes that apply here
are "If it works, use it" -- and "AN IT HARM NONE, do as you will."

Q. How can I find out more about you?

A. Ask one of us. We're easy to talk with. Or read some books. Good books
include Vivianne Crowley's WICCA: the Old Religion in the New Age, Margot Adler's
Drawing Down the Moon, Starhawk's The Spiral Dance, and Raymond Buckland's Complete
Guide to Witchcraft.

There's also a lot of shocking nonsense and pulp fiction out there
-- notably in movies, paperback thrillers, and the sort of newspapers sold at
supermarket cash registers; we can only ask you to take anything you find there with
a skeptical pinch of salt.

(This was written in May 1991 as a general information handout for

the use of the CUUPS group of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Please feel free to copy and adapt this for use by your own group.)

The Coven
By: Julia Phillips
Wed 20 Apr 94 19:03
This article was written by me several years ago, but I thought it might be of
interest here, as it discusses several issues relevant to modern Witches. Any
thought or feedback most welcome! Please remember, that although the historical
stuff is pretty general, the other parts of the article are my own ideas, and not
necessarily applicable outside of my own tradition :)

Covens and Witches

In 1662, Isobel Gowdie of Auldearne made four separate confessions of being a Witch,
and in the process, gave the word "Coven" to the world. Although there is no other
historical evidence for this word, it has proven to be one of the most lasting
facets of Witchcraft - ask anyone today what Witches do, and the answer will almost
certainly include the fact that they meet in groups, called "Covens".

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So given that a number of modern Witches do, in fact, either run, or belong to, a
Coven - just what is its purpose in 20th (and 21st) century Western Civilisation?
Why has this word of such dubious historical veracity survived over three hundred
years? Is there a place in our modern world for a social group which, as far as we
know, occurred only in 17th century Scotland?
The very fact of its survival for over three hundred years argues that there is a
place for such a group. In my own case, I have been a member of, and run, Covens of
Witches for a number of years, and it is a social model which fits extremely well
within modern society.
The structure of a coven varies, but generally has one or two leaders, and a number
of members of varying levels of experience. In a sense, the modern Coven has
replaced the tribal family, and its members often fulfill familial roles, which are
no longer available to them in the family in which they were born.
Some researchers have commented that many modern Witches come from a background
which was disrupted; i.e., did not provide a safe family environment during their
formative years. As I know a great many Witches for whom this was not the case, I
think this is only a partial reason, and only for some people.
Humanity itself seems to be inherently tribal; any common bond between people will
generally result in the creation cults or sub-cultures, where those of a like-mind
will bond together. They will evolve their own social order (generally
hierarchical), have their own common language, and often are identifiable by their
demeanour and appearance.
Witches gather together in Covens for very much the same sorts of reasons; we are
apart from general society by virtue of our beliefs and practices. Meeting with
others who think and feel similarly to ourselves gives us the opportunity to share
ideas and skills, as well as being able to practise our Craft.
A modern Coven provides a family-style environment, where the "Elders" can, by
virtue of their experience, give encouragement, support, and advice to those seek to
learn about Witchcraft. As with all families, Covens have very unique and individual
ways of approaching this. Just as no two families are the same, neither are any two
Covens.
Some Covens are run by people with an academic bent, and as would be the case in any
family, this characterises the way in which their "children" are brought up. Other
groups are oriented towards a more simple approach, and the oral traditions play an
important role in the way in which the Coven is structured. Some combine the these
two approaches, and the variations upon the basic themes are endless.
For any "family" to exist harmoniously, everyone within the group must feel a part
of the group, and wish to learn and grow within that group environment. With a path
such as Witchcraft, with its emphasis upon personal growth and development, it is
likely that individuals who may at one time have been happy within their family
group, will change, and wish to move away. This is a perfectly natural process, and
the wise coven leaders will send those people off with their love and blessing.
Trying to keep them would be like trying to keep your sons and daughters tied to
your apron strings forever!
Ultimately, and despite the popularity of the word "coven", I do believe that most
Witches are solitary in nature, and will generally spend at least part of their
lives without being a member of, or running, a coven. I think the inward exploration
during these periods is vital to self-development, just as we believe it is
important to encourage social-awareness in children. However, I also believe that at
some stage it is important to learn the practices of Witchcraft from another person;
to be an apprentice, if you will; because the act of passing knowledge from one
person to another cannot be replicated by books, correspondence courses, or be
self-taught. This may seem an almost
impossible task to some people, but as all the magical traditions teach: when the
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student is ready, the teacher will appear! What's more, it's true!
B*B Julia

The Public Contents of the Book of Shadows

There is really no such thing as the text of the Book of Shadows,
because Gardner never bothered to word things the same way twice;
whenever he copied something, he simultaneously rewrote it. But this,
of course, is the way that an author treats his own original material;
it is not how anyone treats authoritative texts preserved from an
earlier generation. I have grouped the documents according to the dates
when they were written; these dates are accurate to within a year or so,
and the point to providing them, of course, is to emphasize that these
documents are modern creations, NOT anything preserved from ancient or
medieval tradition. Material or comments added to these documents later
on I have enclosed in square brackets [these things].
A.1. Casting the Circle (1949)
It is most convenient to mark the circle with chalk, paint or otherwise,
to show where it is; but marks on the carpet may be utilized. Furniture
may be placed to indicate the bounds. The only circle that matters is
the one drawn before every ceremony with either a duly consecrated Magic
Sword or an Athame. The circle is usually nine feet in diameter, unless
made for some very special purpose. There are two outer circles, each
six inches apart, so the third circle has a diameter of eleven feet.
[1] Having chosen a place proper, take the sickle or scimitar of Art or
a Witch's Athame, if thou mayest obtain it, and stick it into the
center, then take a cord, and 'twere well to use the Cable Tow for this,
and loop it over the Instrument, four and one half feet, and so trace
out the circumference of the circle, which must be traced either with
the Sword, or the knife with the black hilt, or it be of little avail,
but ever leave open a door towards the North. Make in all 3 circles,
one within the other , and write names of power between these.
[2] First draw circle with Magic Sword or Athame.
[3] Consecrate Salt and Water: Touch water with Athame, saying, "I
exorcise thee, O creature of Water, that thou cast out from Thee all the
impurities and uncleannesses of the Spirits of the World of Phantasm, so
they may harm me not, in the names of Aradia and Cernunnos."

[4] Touching Salt with Athame, say, "The Blessings of Aradia and
Cernunnos be upon this creature of Salt, and let all malignity and
hindrance be cast forth hencefrom, and let all good enter herein, for
without Thee man cannot live, wherefore I bless thee and invoke thee,
that thou mayest aid me."
[5] Then put the Salt into the water.
[6] Sprinkle with exorcised water.
[7] Light candles; say, "I exorcise thee, O Creature of Fire, that every
kind of Phantasm may retire from thee, and be unable to harm or deceive
in any way, in the names of Aradia and Cernunnos."
[8] Caution initiate (if any); warn companions; enter circle and close
doors with 3 pentagrams.
[9] Proclaim object of working
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[10] Circumambulate 3 times or more before commencing work.
[11] Summon: "I summon, stir, and Call thee up, thou Mighty Ones of the
East, South, West, and North." Salute and draw pentacle with Magic
Sword or Athame, the first stroke being from the top down to the left.
A.2. Drawing Down the Moon (1949)
High Priestess stands in front of Altar, assumes Goddess position (arms
crossed). Magus, kneeling in front of her, draws pentacle on her body
with Phallus-headed Wand, invokes, "I Invoke and beseech Thee, O mighty
Mother of all life and fertility. By seed and root, by stem and bud, by
leaf and flower and fruit, by Life and Love, do I invoke Thee to descend
into the body of thy servant and High Priestess [name]." The Moon having
been drawn down, i.e., link established, Magus and other men give
Fivefold Kiss:
(kissing feet) "Blessed be thy feet, that have brought thee in these
ways";
(kissing knees) "Blessed be thy knees, that shall kneel at the sacred
altar";
(kissing womb) "Blessed be thy womb, without which we would not be";
(kissing breasts) "Blessed be thy breasts, formed in beauty and in
strength";
(kissing lips) "Blessed be thy lips, that shall speak the sacred names."
Women all bow.
If there be an initiation, then at this time the Magus and the High
Priestess in Goddess position (Arms Crossed) says the Charge while the
Initiate stands outside the circle.
A.3. "Lift Up the Veil"
[The Charge] (1949) Magus: "Listen to the words of the Great mother, who
of old was also called among men Artemis, Astarte, Dione, Melusine,
Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Diana, Arianrhod, Bride, and by many other names."
High Priestess: "At mine Altars the youth of Lacedaemon in Sparta made
due sacrifice. Whenever ye have need of anything, once in the month,
and better it be when the moon is full, ye shall assemble in some secret
place and adore the spirit of Me who am Queen of all Witcheries and
magics. There ye shall assemble, ye who are fain to learn all sorcery,
yet have not won its deepest secrets. To these will I teach things
that are yet unknown. And ye shall be free from slavery, and as a sign
that ye be really free, ye shall be naked in your rites, both men and
women, and ye shall dance, sing, feast, make music, and love, all in my
praise. There is a Secret Door that I have made to establish the way to
taste even on earth the elixir of immortality. Say, `Let ecstasy be
mine, and joy on earth even to me, To Me,' For I am a gracious Goddess.
I give unimaginable joys on earth, certainty, not faith, while in life!
And upon death, peace unutterable, rest, and ecstasy, nor do I demand
aught in sacrifice."
Magus: "Hear ye the words of the Star Goddess."
High Priestess: "I love you: I yearn for you: pale or purple, veiled or
voluptuous. I who am all pleasure, and purple and drunkenness of the
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innermost senses, desire you. Put on the wings, arouse the coiled
splendor within you. Come unto me, for I am the flame that burns in the
heart of every man, and the core of every Star. Let it be your inmost
divine self who art lost in the constant rapture of infinite joy. Let
the rituals be rightly performed with joy and beauty. Remember that all
acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. So let there be beauty and
strength, leaping laughter, force and fire by within you. And if thou
sayest, `I have journeyed unto thee, and it availed me not,' rather
shalt thou say, `I called upon thee, and I waited patiently, and Lo,
thou wast with me from the beginning,' for they that ever desired me
shall ever attain me, even to the end of all desire.
This much of the rites must ever be performed to prepare for any
initiation, whether of one degree or of all three.

A.4. The Initiation (1949)

[First Degree]

Magus leaves circle by the doorway, goes to Postulant, and says, "Since
there is no other brother here, I must be thy sponsor, as well as
priest. I am about to give you a warning. If you are still of the same
mind, answer it with these words: `Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.'"
Placing the point of the sword to the Postulant's breast, he says, "O
thou who standeth on the threshold between the pleasant world of men and
the domains of the Dread Lords of the Outer Spaces, hast thou the
courage to make the Assay? For I tell thee verily, it were better to
rush on my weapon and perish miserably than to make the attempt with
fear in thy heart." Postulant: "I have two Passwords: Perfect Love and
Perfect Trust." Magus drops the sword point, saying, "All who approach
with perfect love and perfect trust are doubly welcome." Going around
behind her, he blindfolds her, then putting his left arm around her
waist and his right arm around her neck, he pulls her head back, says,
"I give you the 3rd password, a Kiss to pass through this dread Door,"
and pushes her forward with his body, through the doorway and into the
circle. Once inside, he releases her saying, "This is the way all are
first brought into the circle." Magus closes the doorway by drawing the
point of the sword across it three times, joining all three circles,
saying, "Agla, Azoth, Adonai," then drawing three pentacles to seal it.
Magus guides Postulant to south of altar, and whispers, "Now there is
the Ordeal." Taking a short piece of cord from the altar, he ties it
around her right ankle, saying, "Feet neither bound nor free." Taking a
longer cord, he ties her hands together behind her back, then pulls them
up, so that the arms form a triangle, and ties the cord around her neck,
leaving the end dangling down in front as a Cable Tow. With the Cable
Tow in his left hand and the sword in his right hand, the Magus leads
her sunwise around the circle to the east, where he salutes with the
sword and proclaims, "Take heed, O Lords of the Watchtowers of the East,
(name), properly prepared, will be made a Priestess and a Witch." Magus
leads her similarly to the south, west, and north, making the
proclamation at each quarter. Next, clasping Postulant around the waist
with his left arm, and holding the sword erect in his right hand, he
makes her circumambulate three times around the circle with a
half-running, half-dancing step. He halts her at the south of the altar,
and strikes eleven knells on the bell. He then kneels at her feet,
saying, "In other religions the postulant kneels, as the Priests claim
supreme power, but in the Art Magical, we are taught to be humble, so we
kneel to welcome them and say:

"Blessed be thy feet that have brought thee in these ways." (He kisses
her feet.)

"Blessed be thy knees that shall kneel at the sacred altar." (He kisses
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her knees.)
"Blessed be thy womb, without which we would not be." (He kisses her
Organ of Generation.)
"Blessed by thy breasts, formed in beauty and in strength." (He kisses
her breasts.)
"Blessed be thy lips, which shall utter the sacred names." (He kisses
her lips.)
Take measure thus: height, around forehead, across the heart, and across
the genitals. Magus says, "Be pleased to kneel," and helps her kneel
before the altar. He ties the end of the Cable Tow to a ring in the
altar, so that the postulant is bent sharply forward, with her head
almost touching the floor. He also ties her feet together with the
short cord. Magus strikes three knells on the bell and says, "Art ready
to swear that thou wilt always be true to the Art?"
Witch: "I am."
Magus strikes seven knells on the bell and says, "Before ye are sworn,
art willing to pass the ordeal and be purified?"
Witch: "I am."
Magus strikes eleven knells on the bell, takes the scourge from the
altar, and gives a series of three, seven, nine, and 21 strokes with the
scourge across the postulant's buttocks. Magus says, "Ye have bravely
passed the test. Art always ready to help, protect, and defend thy
Brothers and Sisters of the Art?"
Witch: "I am."
Magus: "Art armed?"
Witch: "With a knife in my hair."
Magus: "Then on that knife wilt thou swear absolute secrecy?"

Witch: "I will."

Magus: "Then say after me. `I, (name), in the presence of the Mighty
Ones, do of my own will and accord, most solemnly swear that I will ever
keep secret and never reveal the secrets of the Art, except it be to a
proper person, properly prepared, within a circle such as I am now in.
All this I swear by my hopes of a future life, mindful that my measure
has been taken, and may my weapons turn against me if I break this my
solemn oath.'"
Magus now unbinds her feet, unties the Cable Tow from the altar, removes
the blindfold, and helps her up to her feet.
Magus says, "I hereby sign thee with the triple sign.

"I consecrate thee with oil." (He anoints her with oil on the womb, the
right breast, the left breast, and the womb again.)
"I consecrate thee with wine." (He anoints her with wine in the same
pattern.)
"I consecrate thee with my lips" (he kisses her in the same pattern),
"Priestess and Witch."
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Magus now unbinds her hands and removes the last cord, saying, "Now I
Present to thee the Working Tools of a Witch. "First the Magic Sword.
With this, as with the Athame, thou canst form all Magic Circles,
dominate, subdue, and punish all rebellious Spirits and Demons, and even
persuade the Angels and Geniuses. With this in your hand you are the
ruler of the Circle. [Here "kiss" means that the initiate kisses the
tool, and the Magus then kisses the Witch being initiated.]
"Next I present the Athame. This is the true Witch's weapon and has all
the powers of the Magic Sword [kiss].
"Next I present the White-Handled Knife. Its use is to form all
instruments used in the Art. It can only be properly used within a
Magic Circle [Kiss].
"Next I present the Wand. Its use is to call up and control certain
Angels and geniuses, to whom it would not be mete to use the Magic Sword
[Kiss].
"Next I present the pentacles. These are for the purpose of calling up
appropriate Spirits [Kiss].
"Next I present the Censer of Incense. This is used to encourage and
welcome Good Spirits and to banish Evil Spirits.[kiss]
"Next I present the scourge. This is a sign of power and domination. It
is also to cause suffering and purification, for it is written, to learn
you must suffer and be purified. Art willing to suffer to learn?"

Witch: "I am."[Kiss]

Magus: "Next, and lastly I present the Cords. They are of use to bind
the sigils in the Art, the material basis, and to enforce thy will. Also
they are necessary in the oath. I Salute thee in the name of Aradia and
Cernunnos, Newly made Priestess and Witch." Magus strikes seven knells
on the bell and kisses Witch again, then circumambulates with her,
proclaiming to the four quarters, "Hear, ye Mighty Ones, (name) hath
been consecrated Priestess and Witch of the Gods." (Note, if ceremony
ends here, close circle with "I thank ye for attending, and I dismiss ye
to your pleasant abodes. Hail and farewell." If not, go to next
degree.)
[Second Degree]
Magus binds Witch as before, but does not blindfold her, and
circumambulates with her, proclaims to the four quarters, "Hear, ye
Mighty Ones, (name), a duly consecrated Priestess and Witch, is now
properly prepared to be made a High Priestess and Witch Queen." Magus
now leads her thrice around the circle with the half-running,
half-dancing step, halts south of the altar, has the Witch kneel, and
ties her down to the altar as before.
Magus: "To attain this sublime degree, it is necessary to suffer and be
purified. Art ready to suffer to Learn?"
Priestess Witch: "I am."
Magus: "I prepare thee to take the great oath."
He strikes three knells on the bell, and again gives the series of
three, seven, nine, and 21 strokes with the scourge as before.

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Magus: "I now give thee a new name: _______. [kiss]
Magus: "Repeat thy new name after me, <saying> I, (name), swear upon my
mother's womb and by mine Honor among men and among my brothers and
sisters of the Art, that I will never reveal to any at all any of the
secrets of the Art, except it be to a worthy person, properly prepared,
in the center of a Magic Circle, such as I am now in. This I swear by
my hopes of Salvation, my past lives, and my hopes of future ones to
come, and I devote myself to utter destruction if I break this my solemn
oath."
Magus kneels, placing left hand under her knees and right hand on her
head, thus forming magic link.
Magus: "I hereby will all my power into you." Wills.
Magus now unties her feet, unties the Cable Tow from the altar, and
helps the Witch to her feet.
Magus: "I hereby sign and consecrate you with the great Magic Sign.
Remember how it is formed and you will always recognize it.
"I consecrate thee with oil." (He anoints her with oil on her womb,
right breast, left hip, right hip, left breast, and womb again, thus
tracing a point-down pentacle.)
"I consecrate thee with wine." (He anoints her with wine in the same
pattern.)
"I consecrate thee with my lips" (he kisses her in the same pattern),
"High Priestess and Witch Queen."
Magus now unbinds Witch's hands and removes the cord, saying, "Newly
made High Priestess and Witch Queen" [kiss] "you will now use the
working tools in turn.
First, the Magic Sword; with it you will scribe the Magic Circle [kiss]
"Secondly, the Athame" (Form Circle) [kiss]
"Thirdly, the White Handled Knife" (use) [kiss]
"Fourthly, the Wand" (Wave to 4 Quarters) [kiss]
"Fifthly, the Pentacle" (Show to 4 Quarters) [kiss]
"Sixthly, the Censer of Incense" (Circle, cense) [kiss]
"Seventhly, the cords; bind me as I bound you." Witch binds Magus and
ties him to Altar.
Magus: "Learn, in Witchcraft, thou must ever return triple. As I
scourged thee, so thou must scourge me, but triple. So where you
received 3, return 9; where you received 7, return 21; where you
received 9, return 27; where you received 21, return 63." Witch scourges
Magus as instructed, 120 strokes total.
Magus: "Thou hast obeyed the Law. But mark well, when thou receivest
good, so equally art bound to return good threefold."

Witch now unbinds Magus and helps him to his feet. Magus, taking the new
Initiate by the hand and holding the Athame in the other, passes once
round the Circle, proclaiming at the Four Quarters, "Hear, Ye Mighty
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Ones, (name) hath been duly consecrated High Priestess and Witch Queen."
(Note, if ceremony ends here, close circle with "Hail and farewell." If
not go to next degree.)
[Third Degree]
Magus: "Ere we proceed with this sublime degree, I must beg
purification at thy hands."
High Priestess binds Magus and ties him down to the altar. She
circumambulates three times, and scourges Magus with three, seven, nine,
and 21 strokes. She then unbinds him and helps him to his feet. Magus
now binds the High Priestess and ties her down to the altar. He
circumambulates, proclaiming to the four quarters, "Hear, ye mighty
Ones, the twice consecrate and Holy (name), High Priestess and Witch
Queen, is properly prepared and will now proceed to erect the Sacred
Altar." Magus scourges High Priestess with three, seven, nine, and 21
strokes. Cakes and wine may now be taken [see section A.5].
Magus: "Now I must reveal to you a great Mystery." [kiss].
Note: if High Priestess has performed this rite before, omit these
words. High Priestess assumes Osiris position.
Magus: "Assist me to erect the Ancient Altar, at which in days past all
worshipped, the Great Altar of all things. For in the old times a woman
was the Altar. Thus was the altar made and so placed [Priestess lies
down in such a way that her vagina is approximately at the center of the
circle], and the sacred place was the point within the center of the
circle, as we of old times have been taught, that the point within the
center is the origin of all things. Therefore should we adore it."
[kiss]
"Therefore, whom we adore, we also invoke, by the power of the lifted
lance." Invokes. "O circle of stars [kiss], whereof our Father is but
the younger brother [kiss], "Marvel beyond imagination, soul of infinite
space, before whom time is ashamed, the mind bewildered and
understanding dark, not unto thee may we attain unless thine image be of
love [kiss].
"Therefore, by seed and root, and stem and bud and leaf and flower and
fruit do we invoke thee, O, Queen of space, O dew of light, O continuous
one of the Heavens [kiss]. "Let it be ever thus, that men speak not of
Thee as one, but as none, and let them not speak of thee at all, since
thou art continuous, for thou art the point within the circle [kiss],
which we adore [kiss], the fount of life without which we would not be
[kiss]. "And in this way truly are erected the Holy Twin Pillars Boaz
and Jachin [kisses breasts]. In beauty and strength were they erected,
to the wonder and glory of all men."
(Eightfold Kiss: 3 points, Lips, 2 Breasts and back to lips; 5 points)
"O Secrets of secrets that art hidden in the being of all lives. Not
thee do we adore, for that which adoreth is also thou. Thou art that
and That am I [kiss].
"I am the flame that
burns in every man, and in the core of every star [kiss].
"I am Life and
the giver of Life, yet therefore is the knowledge of me the Knowledge of
Death [kiss].

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"I am alone, the Lord within ourselves whose name is
Mystery of Mysteries [kiss].
"Make open the path of intelligence between us. For these truly are the
5 points of fellowship [on the right appears an illuminated diagram of
the point-up triangle above the pentacle, the symbol for the third
degree], feet to feet, knee to knee, groin to groin, breast to breast,
arms around back, lips to lips, by the Great and Holy Names Abracadabra,
Aradia, and Cernunnos. Magus and High
Priestess: "Encourage our hearts, Let thy Light crystallize itself in
our blood, fulfilling us of Resurrection, for there is no part of us
that is not of the Gods."
(Exchange Names.)
Closing the Circle High Priestess Circumambulates, proclaiming, "The
twice consecrate High Priestess greets ye Mighty Ones, and dismisseth ye
to your pleasant abodes. Hail and Farewell."
She draws the banishing pentacle at each quarter.
A.5. Cakes and Wine (1949)
Magus kneels, fills Cup, offers to Witch [she is seated on the altar,
holding her athame; Priest kneels before her, holding up the cup].
Witch, holding Athame between palms, places point in cup.
Magus: "As the Athame is the Male, so the Cup is the female; so,
conjoined, they bring blessedness."
Witch lays aside Athame, takes Cup in both hands, drinks and gives
drink. Magus Holds Paten to Witch, who blesses with Athame, then eats
and gives to Eat. It is said that in olden days ale or mead was often
used instead of wine. It is said that spirits or anything can be used so
long as it has life.
A.6. The Sabbat Rituals (1949)
November Eve Walk or slow dance, Magus leading High Priestess, both
carrying Phallic wand or broom, people with torches or candles.
Witch chant or song:

"Eko, eko, Azarak Eko, eko, Zomelak Bazabi lacha bachabe Lamac cahi
achababe Karrellyos Lamac lamac Bachalyas cabahagy sabalyos Baryolos
Lagoz atha cabyolas Samahac atha famolas Hurrahya!"
Form circle.
High Priestess assumes Goddess position.
Magus gives her Fivefold Kiss and is scourged.
All are purified [that is, bound and scourged with forty strokes, as in
the initiation rituals].
Magus assumes God position.
High Priestess invokes with Athame: "Dread Lord of the shadows, god of
life and the giver of life. Yet is the knowledge of thee the knowledge
of death. Open wide, I pray thee, thy gates through which all must pass.
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Let our dear ones who have gone before, return this night to make merry
with us. And when our time comes, as it must, O thou the comforter, the
consoler, the giver of peace and rest, we will enter thy realms gladly
and unafraid, for we know that when rested and refreshed among our dear
ones, w e shall be born again by thy grace and the grace of the Great
Mother. Let it be in the same place and the same time as our beloved
ones, and may we meet and know, and love them again. Descend, we pray
thee, upon thy servant and Priest (name)."
High Priestess gives Fivefold Kiss to Magus.
Initiations if any; all others are purified.
(Note: Couples may purify each other if they will.)
Cakes and Wine.
The Great Rite if possible, either in token or truly.
Dismiss [the guardians, and close down the magic circle; the people then
stay to] feast and dance.
February Eve
After usual opening, all are doubly purified [that is, with eighty strokes].
Dance round outside circle, High Priestess with sword girded on and
drawn, Phallic wand in left hand.
Enter circle.
Magus assumes God position.
High Priestess gives Fivefold Kiss, invokes: "Dread Lord of death and
Resurrection, life and the giver of life, Lord within ourselves, whose
name is Mystery of Mysteries, encourage our hearts. Let the light
crystalize in our blood, fulfilling us of resurrection, for there is no
part of us that is not of the gods. Descend, we pray thee, upon this thy
servant and Priest (name)."
All should be purified in sacrifice before him. He then purifies the
High Priestess with his own hands, and others if he will.
Cakes and wine.
Great Rite if possible, in token or real.
Games and dance as the people will.
Dismiss [the guardians, and close down the magic circle; the people then
stay to] feast and dance.
May Eve
If possible ride poles, brooms, etc. High Priestess leading, quick dance
step, singing
"O do not tell the priests of our arts.For they would call it sin, For
we will be in the woods all nightA conjuring summer in.

And we bring you good news by word of mouth. For women, cattle, and
corn: The sun is coming up from the south,With oak and ash, and thorn."

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Meeting dance if possible.
Form circle as usual, and purify.
High Priestess assumes Goddess position; officers all give her the
fivefold kiss.
She purifies all.
High Priestess again assumes Goddess position.
Magus invokes, draws down moon, "I invoke thee and call upon thee, O
mighty Mother of us all, bringer of all fruitfulness, By seed and root,
by stem and bud, by leaf and flower and fruit, by life and love, do we
invoke thee, to descend upon the body of thy servant and Priestess
here."
Magus gives Fivefold Kiss to High Priestess.
All should be purified in sacrifice before her, and she should purify
Magus and some others with her own hands.
Cakes and wine.
Games.
Great Rite if possible, in token or truly.
Dismiss [the guardians, and close down the magic circle; the people then
stay to] feast and dance.
August Eve
If possible, ride poles, broomsticks, etc.
Meeting Dance if possible [the double-spiral dance described in
Witchcraft Today, p. 167].
Form circle.
Purify.
High Priestess stands in pentacle position.
Magus invokes her: "O mighty Mother of us all, Mother of all
fruitfulness, give us fruit and grain, flocks and herds and children to
the tribe that we be mighty, by thy rosy love, do thou descend upon thy
servant and Priestess (name) here."
Magus gives Fivefold Kiss to High Priestess.
Candle game: Seated, the men form a circle, passing a lighted candle
from hand to hand "deosil". The women form circle outside, trying to
blow it out over their shoulders. Whoever's hand it is in when it is
blown out is 3 times purified by whoever blew it out, giving fivefold
Kiss in return. This game may go on as long as the people like.
Cakes and wine, and any other games you like.
Dismiss [the guardians, and close down the magic circle; the people then
stay to] feast and dance.
B.1. On Chants (1953)
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Of old there were many chants and songs used especially in the Dances.
Many of these have been forgotten by us here, but we know that they used
cries of IAU which seems muchly like the cries EVO or EVOHE of the
ancients. Much dependeth on the pronunciation if this be so. In my
youth, when I heard IAU it seemed to be AEIOU, or rather, AAAEEIOOOOUU.
This may be but the natural way to prolong it to make it fit for a call,
but it suggests that these be possibly the initials of an invocation as
Agla is said to be, and of sooth 'tis said that the whole Hebrew
alphabet is said to be such, and for this reason is recited as a most
powerful charm, but at least this is certain, these cries during the
dances do have profound effect, as I myself have seen.
Other calls are IEHOUA and EHEIE; also Ho Ho Ho Ise Ise Ise.

IEO VEO VEO VEO VEOV OROV OV OVOVO may be a spell but is more likely to
be a call. 'Tis like the EVOE EVOE of the Greeks and the "Heave ho!" of
sailors. "Emen hetan" and "Ab hur, ab hus" seem calls; as "Horse and
hattock, horse and go, horse and Pellatis, ho, ho, ho!"

"Thout, tout a tout tout, throughout and about" and "Rentum tormentum"
are probably mispronounced attempts at a forgotten formula, though they
may have been invented by some unfortunate being tortured, to evade
telling the real formula.

B.2. To Help the Sick (1953)

[1] Ever remember the promise of the goddess, "For ecstasy is mine and
joy on earth" so let there ever be joy in your heart. Greet people with
joy, be glad to see them. If times be hard, think, "It might have been
worse. I at least have known the joys of the Sabbath, and I will know
them again." Think of the grandeur, beauty, and Poetry of the rites, of
the loved ones you meet through them. If you dwell on this inner joy,
your health will be better. You must try to banish all fear, for it
will reall y touch you. It may hurt your body, but your soul is beyond
it all.

[2] And ever remember, that if you help others it makes you forget your
own woes. And if another be in pain, do what you may to distract his
attention from it. Do not say "You have no pain," but if you may,
administer the drugs which sooth as well as those that cure. But ever
strive to make them believe they are getting better. Install into them
happy thoughts. If you can only get this into his inner mind so that it
be always believed.

[3] To this end it is not wrong to let people think that we of the cult
have more power than we have. For the truth is that if they believe we
have more power than we really possess, we do really possess these
powers, insomuch we can do good to them.

[4] You must try to find out about people. If you tell a slightly sick
man, "You are looking better. You will soon be well," he will feel
better, but if he is really ill, or in pain, his Knowledge that he is in
pain will cause him to doubt your words in future. But if you give him
one of the drugs and then say, "The pain is growing less. Soon it will
be gone," because the pain goes, the next time you say, "The pain is
going," he will believe you and the pain will really get less. But you
must ever say so with conviction, and this conviction must come from
your believing it yourself, because you yourself know that if you can
fix his mind so that he believes you, it is true.

[5] 'Tis often better to look exactly between their eyes, looking as if
your eyes pierced their heads, opening your eyes as wide as you may and
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never blink. This continued gazing oft causes the patient to grow
sleepy. If they show signs of this, say "You are growing sleepy. You
will sleep, you are tired. Sleep. Your eyes grow tired. Sleep." If
they close their eyes, say "Your eyes close, you are tired, you cannot
open your eyes." If they cannot, say "Your arms are tired, you cannot
raise them." If they cannot, say "I am master of your mind. You must
ever believe what I tell you. When I look like this into your eyes you
will sleep and be subject to my will," then tell them they will sleep
and wake up refreshed, feeling better. Continue this with soothing and
healing drugs, and try to infuse into them the feeling of ecstasy that
you feel at the Sabbath. They cannot feel it in full, but you can
command them to feel what is in your own mind, and try to concentrate on
this ecstasy. I f you may safely tell that you are of the Cult, your
task may be easier. And it were well to command them to know it only
with their sleeping mind, and forget it, or to be at least unable to
tell anyone about it when awake. A good way is to command them that, if
they are ever questioned about Witchcraft or Witches, to immediately
fall asleep.
[6] Ever remember if tempted to admit or boast of belonging to the cult
you be endangering your brothers, for though now the fires of
persecution may have died down, who knows when they may be revived?
Many priests have knowledge of our secrets, and they well know that,
though much religious bigotry has calmed down, many people would wish to
join our cult. And if the truth were known of its joys, the Churches
would lose power, so if we take many recruits, we may loose the fires of
persecution against us a gain. So ever keep the secrets.
[7] Think joy, think love, try to help others and bring joy into their
lives. Children are naturally easier to influence than grown people.
Ever strive to work through people's existing beliefs. For instance,
more than half of the world believe in amulets. An ordinary stone is
not an amulet but if it hath a natural hole in it, it must be something
unusual, so if the patient hath this belief give him one. But first
carry it next your skin for a few days, forcing your will into it, to
cure pain, to feel s afe, or against their particular fear, and this
amulet may keep imposing your will when you are absent. The masters of
talismans knew this full well when they say they must be made in a
circle, to avoid distraction, by someone whose mind is on the subject of
the work.
[8] But keep your own mind happy. Remember the Words of the Goddess: "I
give unimaginable joys on Earth, certainty, not faith, while in life,
and upon death, peace unutterable, rest, and ecstasy, and the promise
that you will return again." In the old days many of us went to the
flames laughing and singing, and so we may again. We may have joy in
life and beauty, and peace and Death and the promise of return.
[9] The Bible speaks sooth, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine
but a broken spirit breaketh the bones." But you may not have a merry
heart. Perchance you were born under an evil star. I think that the
effects of the stars are overestimated, but you cannot make a merry
heart to order, you say. But you can, in the Cult; there be secret
processes by which your will and imagination may be influenced. This
process also affects the body, and brings it to joy. Your body is
happy, so your mind is happy . You are well because you are happy, and
you are happy because you are well.
[10] Prayer may be used with good result if the patient believes it can
and will work. Many believe it can, but do not believe their God or
saint will help. Prayers to the Goddess help, especially the Amalthean
Horn Prayer, as it causes stimulation to the body as well as to the
mind.
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B.3. The Scourge and the Kiss. (1953)
[1] Invocation
(Feet, knees, and wrists should be tightly bound to retard blood.)
Scourge 40 or more, to make skin tingle, then say, invoking Goddess,
Hail, Aradia, from the Amalthean horn
Pour forth thy store of Love. I lowly bend
Before Thee! I invoke thee at the end
When other Gods are fallen and put to scorn.
Thy foot is to my lips! My sighs inborn
Rise, touch, curl about thy heart. Then spend,
Pitiful Love, loveliest Pity, descend
And bring me luck who am lonely and forlorn.
Ask the Goddess to help you to obtain your desires, then Scourge again
to bind the spell. This be powerful in ill luck and for sickness. It
must be said in a Circle, and you must be properly prepared and well
purified, both before and after saying, to bind the spell. Before
starting you must make a very clear picture in your mind of what you
wish. Make yourself see the wish obtained. Be sure in your own mind
exactly what it is and how it is to be fulfilled. This spell is the one
that was taught to me long ago and I have found it works, but I don't
think there is any special virtue in these words. Any others can be
substituted provided they ask the goddess's (or gods') help, and say
clearly what you wish and you form the clear mental image; and if it
doesn't work at first, keep on trying till it works. Your helper, who
wields the scourge, must know what you wish, and also form the mental
image. And at first at any rate, it will be better for you to work the
spell, then for the girl to take your place and work it also; you
scourge her. Don't try anything difficult at first, and do it at least
once a week till it works. You have to get into sympathy with each
other, before anything happens, and regular working helps this. Of
spells, the exact words matter little if the intent be clear and you
raise the true power, and sufficient thereof. Always in rhyme they are.
There is something queer about rhyme. I have tried, and the same seem
to lose their power if you miss the rhyme. Also in rhyme, the words
seem to say themselves. You do not have to pause and think: "What comes
next?" Doing this takes away much of your intent.
[2] Order and discipline must be kept. A High Priest or Priestess may
and should punish all faults to this end, and all of the Cult must
accept such corrections willingly. All are brothers and sisters, for
this reason: that even the High Priestess must submit to the scourge.
Each fault should be corrected separately. The Priest or Priestess
must be properly prepared and call the culprit to trial. They must be
prepared as for initiation and kneel, be told their fault and sentence
pronounced. Punishment should be the scourge, followed by a forfeit
such as several fivefold kisses or something of this nature. The
culprit must acknowledge the justice of the punishment by kissing hands
and scourge on receiving sentence and again when thanking for
punishment received.*
[3] The scourgings are 3, 7, 9 (thrice three), and 21 (thrice seven) 40
in all. It is not meet to make offerings [scourgings] of less than two
score to the Goddess, for here be a mystery. The fortunate numbers be:
3 and 5. For three added to two (the Perfect Couple) be five. And
three and five be eight; eight and five be thirteen; thirteen and eight
be twenty-one. The Fivefold Kiss is called 5, but there are 8 kisses,
for there be 2 feet and 2 knees and genitals and 2 breasts and the lips.
And 5 times 8 be two score. Also, fortunate numbers be 3, 7, 8, and 21,
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which total 40, or two score. For each man and woman hath ten fingers
and ten toes, so each totals a score. And a perfect couple be two
score. So a lesser number would not be perfect prayer. If more are
required make it a perfect number, as four score or six score. Also
there be Eight Elemental Weapons.
[4] To make the anointing ointment, take some glazed pans filled half
full with grease or olive oil. Put in one sweet mint, marjoram in
another, ground thyme in a 3rd, and it you may have it, patchouli, dried
leaves pounded. Place pans in hot water bath. Stir and cook for
several hours, then pout into linen bags, and squeeze grease through
into pans again, and fill up with fresh leaves. After doing this
several times, the grease will be highly perfumed. Then mix all
together and store in a well-corked jar. Anoint behind ears, throat,
armpits, breasts, and womb. Also, for all ceremonies where the feet are
kissed, they should also be anointed.
B.4. The Priestess and the Sword (1953)
It is said, "When a woman takes the main part in worship of the Male
God, she must be girt with a sword." Note. This hath been explained as
meaning that a man should be Magus representing the God, but if no one
of sufficient rank and knowledge be present, a woman armed as a man may
take his place. The sheath should be worn in a belt. She should carry
the sword in hand, but if she has to use her hands, she should sheath
the sword. Any other woman in the circle while this worship is
performed shall be sword in hand. Those outside the circle only have
the athame. A woman may impersonate either the God or the Goddess, but a
man may only impersonate the God.
B.5. The Warning (1953)
Keep this book in your own hand of write. Let brothers and Sisters copy
what they will, but never let this book out of your hands, and never
keep the writings of another, for if it be found in their hand of write,
they may well be taken and tortured. Each should guard his own writings
and destroy them whenever danger threatens. Learn as much as you may by
heart, and when the danger is past, rewrite your book. For this reason,
if any die, destroy their book if they have not been able to, for, if it
be fou nd, 'tis clear proof against them. "Ye may not be a Witch
alone"; so all their friends be in danger of the torture. So destroy
everything not necessary. If your book be found on you, 'tis clear proof
against you. You may be tortured. Keep all thought of the cult from
your mind. Say you had bad dreams, that a Devil caused you to write
this without your knowledge. Think to yourself, "I Know Nothing. I
Remember nothing. I have forgotten all." Drive this into your mind. If
the torture be too great to bear, say, "I will confess. I cannot bear
this torment. What do you want me to say? Tell me and I will say it."
If they try to make you talk of the broth erhood, do not, but if they
try to make you speak of impossibilities, such as flying through the
air, consorting with the Devis, sacrificing children, or eating men's
flesh, say, "I had an evil dream. I was not myself. I was crazed." Not
all Magistrates are bad. If there be an excuse, they may show you
mercy. If you have confessed aught, deny it afterwards. Say you
babbled under the torture; you knew not what you did or said. If you be
condemned, fear not. The Brotherhood is powerful. They may help you to
escape if you are steadfast. If you betray aught, there is no hope for
you, in this life, or in that which is to come. But, 'tis sure, that if
steadfast you go to the pyre, drugs will reach you. You will feel
naught, and you go but to Death and what lies beyond, the ecstasy of the
Goddess. The same with the working Tools. Let them be as ordinary
things that anyone may have in their homes. The Pentacles shall be of
wax that they may be melted or broken at once. Have no sword unless
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your rank allows you one. Have no names or signs on anything. Write
them on in ink before consecrating them and wash it off at once when
finished. Never boast, never threaten, never say you wish ill to anyone.
If any speak of the craft, say, "Speak not to me of such, it frightens
me, 'tis evil luck to speak of it."
B.6. Of the Ordeal of the Art Magical (1953)
Learn of the spirit that goeth with burdens that have not honour, for
'tis the spirit that stoopeth the shoulders and not the weight. Armour
is heavy, yet it is a proud burden and a man standeth upright in it.
Limiting and constraining any of the senses serves to increase the
concentration of another. Shutting the eyes aids the hearing. So the
binding of the initiate's hands increases the mental perception, while
the scourge increaseth the inner vision. So the initiate goeth through
it proudly, like a princess, knowing it but serves to increase her
glory. But this can only be done by the aid of another intelligence and
in a circle, to prevent the power thus generated being lost. Priests
attempt to do the same with their scourgings and mortifications of the
flesh. But lacking the aid of bonds and their attention being
distracted by their scourging themselves and what little power they do
produce being dissipated, as they do not usually work within a circle,
it is little wonder that they oft fail. Monks and hermits do better, as
they are apt to work in tiny cells and coves, which in some way act as
circles. The Knights of the Temple, who used mutually to scourge each
other in an octagon, did better still; but they apparently did not know
the virtue of bonds and did evil, man to man. But perhaps some did know?
What of the Church's charge that they wore girdles or cords?
B.7. The Eightfold Way. (1953)
Eightfold Path or Ways to the Centre.
1 Meditation or Concentration. This in practice means forming a mental
image of what is desired, and forcing yourself to see that it is
fulfilled, with the fierce belief and knowledge that it can and will be
fulfilled, and that you will go on willing till you force it to be
fulfilled. Called for short, "Intent"
2 Trance, projection of the Astral.
3 Rites, Chants, Spells, Runes, Charms, etc.
4 Incense, Drugs, Wine, etc., whatever is used to release the Spirit.
(Note. One must be very careful about this. Incense is usually
harmless, but you must be careful. If it has bad aftereffects, reduce
the amount used, or the duration of the time it is inhaled. Drugs are
very dangerous if taken to excess, but it must be remembered that there
are drugs that are absolutely harmless, though people talk of them with
bated breath, but Hemp is especially dangerous, because it unlocks the
inner eye swiftly an d easily, so one is tempted to use it more and
more. If it is used at all, it must be with the strictest precautions,
to see that the person who uses it has no control over the supply. This
should be doled out by some responsible person, and the supply strictly
limited.)
5 The Dance, and kindred practices.
6 Blood control (the Cords), Breath Control, and kindred practices.

7 The Scourge.
8 The Great Rite.
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These are all the ways. You may combine many of them into the one
experiment, the more the better.
The Five Essentials:
1. The most important is "Intention": you must know that you can and
will succeed; it is essential in every operation.
2. Preparation. (You must be properly prepared according to the rules of
the Art; otherwise you will never succeed.)
3. The Circle must be properly formed and purified.
4. You all must be properly purified, several times if necessary, and
this purification should be repeated several times during the rite.
5. You must have properly consecrated tools.
These five essentials and Eight Paths or Ways cannot all be combined in
one rite. Meditation and dancing do not combine well, but forming the
mental image and the dance may be well combined with Chants. Spells,
etc., combined with scourging and No. 6, followed by No. 8, form a
splendid combination. Meditation, following scourging, combined with
Nos. 3 and 4 and 5, are also very Good. For short cuts concentration,
Nos. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are excellent.
B.8. To Gain the Sight (1953)
[1] This cometh to different people in diverse ways. 'Tis seldom it
cometh naturally, but it can be induced in many ways. Deep and
prolonged meditation may do it, but only if you be a natural, and
usually prolonged fasting was also necessary. Of old monks and nuns
obtained visions by long vigils, combined with fasting, flagellation
till the blood came, and other mortifications of the flesh, and so
undoubtedly had visions. In the East it is tried with various tortures,
at the same time sitting in cramped postures, which retard the flow of
blood, and these torments, long and continued, give good results. But
in the Art we are taught an easier way to intensify the imagination, at
the same time controlling the blood supply, and this may best be done by
using the ritual.
[2] Incense is also good to propitiate the Spirits, but also to induce
relaxation and to help to build up the atmosphere which is neces-sary
to suggestibility. (For our human eyes are so blind to what really is,
that it is often necessary to suggest that it is there, before we may
see it, as we may point out to another something at a distance before
they may see it themselves. Gum mastic, aromatic rush roots, cinnamon
bark, musk, juniper, sandalwood, and ambergris in combination are all
good, but patchouli is best of all. And if you may have hemp, 'tis
better still, but be very careful of this.
[3] The circle being formed, all properly prepared, and the Rites done,
and all purified, the aspirant should warlock and take his tutor round
the circle, saluting the Mighty Ones, and invoke them to aid the
operation. Then both dance round till giddy, invoking or using chants.
Scourge. Then the Tutor should warlock very tightly, but not so to
cause discomfort, but enough to retard the blood slightly. Again they
should dance round, chanting, then scourge with light, steady,
monotonous, slow strokes. lt is very good that the pupil may see them
coming (this may be arranged from position, or if a big mirror is
available, this can be used with excellent effect) as this has the
effect of passes, and helps greatly to stimulate the imagination, and it
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is important that they be not hard, the object being not to do more than
draw the blood to that part and so away from the brain. This with the
tight warlocking, which should be warricked, slows down the circulation
of the blood, and t he passes soon induce a drowsi ness and a stupor.
The tutor should watch for this. As soon as the aspirant sleeps, the
scourging should cease. The tutor should also watch that the pupil
become not cold, and if they struggle or become distressed, they should
be at once awakened. (Note: if it cannot be arranged for the pupil to
see, the wand may be used, for a time, then return to scourging.)

[4] Do not be discouraged if no results come after two or three

attempts. It will come, when both are in the right state. When you get
some result, then results will come more quickly. Soon some of the
ritual may be shortened, but never neglect to invoke the Goddess, and
the Mighty Ones, or to form the Circle and do everything rightly. And
for good and clear results, it is ever better to do too much ritual than
too little.
[5] It hath been found that this practice doth often cause a fondness
between aspirant and tutor, and 'tis a cause of better results if this
be so. If for any reason it is undesirable that there be any great
fondness between aspirant and tutor, this may be easily avoided, by both
parties from the onset firmly resolving in their minds that if any doth
ensue, it shall be that of brother and sister or parent and child. And
it is for this reason that a man may only be taught by a woman and a
woman by a man, a nd that man and man, and woman and woman, should never
attempt these practices together. And may all the Curses of the Mighty
Ones be on any who make the attempt.*
[6] Remember, the Circle, properly constructed, is ever necessary to
prevent the power released from being dissipated. It is also a barrier
against any disturbances of mischievous forces, for to obtain good
results you must be free from all disturbances. Remember that darkness,
points of light gleaming amid the surrounding dark, incense, and the
steady passes by a white arm are not stage effects. They are the
mechanical implements which start the suggestions, which later unlocks
the knowledge that it is p ossible to obtain the divine ecstasy, and so
attain knowledge and communion with the Divine Goddess. When once you
have attained this, Ritual is not needed, as you may attain the state of
ecstasy at will, but till then, or if you having attained this yourself,
and wish to bring a companion to this state of joy, ritual is best.
B.9. Power (1953)
Power is latent in the body and may be drawn out and used in various
ways by the skilled. But unless confined in a circle it will be swiftly
dissipated. Hence the importance of a properly constructed circle.
Power seems to exude from the body via the skin and possibly from the
orifices of the body; hence you should be properly prepared. The
slightest dirt spoils everything, which shows the importance of thorough
cleanliness. The attitude of mind has great effect, so only work with a
spirit of reverence. A little wine taken and repeated during the
ceremony, if necessary, helps to produce power. Other strong drinks or
drugs may be used, but it is necessary to be very moderate, for if you
are confused, even slightly, you cannot control the power you evoke. The
simplest way is by dancing and singing monotonous chants, slowly at
first and gradually quickening the tempo until giddiness ensues. Then
the calls may be used, or even wild and meaningless shrieking produces
power. But this method inflames the mind and renders it difficult to
control the power, though control may be gained through practice. The
scourge is a far better way, for it stimulates and excites both body and
soul, yet one e asily retains control. The Great Rite is far the best.
It releases enormous power, but the conditions and circumstances make it
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difficult for the mind to maintain control at first. It is again a
matter of practice and the natural strength of the operator's will and,
in a lesser degree, of those of his assistants. If, as of old, there
were many trained assistants present and all wills properly attuned,
wonders occurred. Sorcerors chiefly used the blood sacrifice; and while
we hold this to be evil, we cannot deny that this method is very
efficient. Power flashes forth from newly shed blood, instead of
exuding slowly as by our method. The victim's terror and anguish add
keenness, and even quite a small animal can yield enormous power. The
great difficulty is in the human mind controlling the power of the lower
animal mind. But sorcerers claim they have methods for effecting this
and that the difficulty disappears the hig her the animal used, and when
the victim is human disappears entirely. (The practice is an
abomination but it is so.) Priests know this well; and by their
auto-da-fs, with the victims' pain and terror (the fires acting much the
same as circles), obtained much power. Of old the Flagellants certainly
evoked power, but through not being confined in a circle much was lost.
The amount of power raised was so great and continuous that anyone with
knowledge could direct and use it; and it is most probable that the
classical and heathen sacrifices were used in the same way. There are
whispers that when the human victim was a willing sacrifice, with his
mind directed on the Great Work and with highly skilled assistants,
wonders ensued bu t of this I would not speak.
B.10. Properly Prepared. (1953)
Naked, but sandals (not shoes) may be worn. For initiation, tie hands
behind back, pull up to small of back, and tie ends in front of throat,
leaving a cable-tow to lead by, hanging down in front. (Arms thus form
a triangle at back.) When initiate is kneeling at altar, the cable-tow
is tied to a ring in the altar. A short cord is tied like a garter
round the initiate's left leg above the knee, with ends tucked in.
Another is tied round right ankle and ends tucked in so as to be out of
the way while mov ing about. These cords are used to tie feet together
while initiate is kneeling at the altar and must be long enough to do
this firmly. Knees must also be firmly tied. This must be carefully
done. If the aspirant complains of pain, the bonds must be loosened
slightly; always remember the object is to retard the blood flow enough
to induce a trance state. This involves slight discomfort, but great
discomfort prevents the trance state; so it is best to spend some little
time loosening a nd tightening the bonds until they are just right. The
aspirant alone can tell you when this is so. This, of course, does not
apply to the initiation, as then no trance is desired; but for the
purpose of ritual it is good that the initiates be bound firmly enough
to feel they are absolutely helpless but without discomfort.
B.11. The Meeting Dance. (1953)
The Maiden should lead. A man should place both hands on her waist,
standing behind her, and alternate men and women should do the same, the
Maiden leading and they dance following her. She at last leads them
into a right-hand spiral. When the center is reached (and this had
better be marked by a stone), she suddenly turns and dances back,
kissing each man as she comes to him. All men and women turn likewise
and dance back, men kissing girls and girls kissing men. All in time to
music, it is a merry ga me, but must be practices to be done well.
Note, the musicians should watch the dancers and make the music fast or
slow as is best. For the beginners it should be slow, or there will be
confusion. It is most excellent to get people to know each other at big
gatherings.
B.12. To Leave the Body. (1953)

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'Tis not wise to strive to get out of your body until you have
thoroughly gained the Sight. The same ritual as to gain the Sight may
be used, but have a comfortable couch. Kneel so that you have your
thigh, belly, and chest well supported, the arms strained forward and
bound one on each side, so that there is a decided feeling of being
pulled forward. As the trance is induced, you should feel a striving
to push yourself out of the top of your head. The scourge should be
given a dragging action, as if to drive or drag you out. Both wills
should be thoroughly in tune, keeping a constant and equal strain.
When trance comes, your tutor may help you by softly calling your name.
You will probably feel yourself drawn out of your body as if through a
narrow opening, and find yourself standing beside your tutor, looking
at the body on the couch. Strive to communicate with your tutor first;
if they have the Sight they will probably see you. Go not far afield
at first, and 'ti s better to have one who is used to leaving the body
with you. A note: When, having succeeded in leaving the body, you
desire to return, in order to cause the spirit body and the material
body to coincide, THINK OF YOUR FEET. This will cause the return to
take place.

B.13. The Working Tools (1953)

There are no magical supply shops, so unless you are lucky enough to be
given or sold tools, a poor witch must extemporize. But when made you
should be able to borrow or obtain an Athame. So having made your
circle, erect an altar. Any small table or chest will do. There must
be fire on it (a candle will suffice) and your book. For good results
incense is best if you can get it, but coals in a chafing dish burning
sweet-smelling herbs will do. A cup if you would have cakes and wine,
and a platter with the signs drawn into the same in ink, showing a
pentacle. A scourge is easily made (note, the scourge has eight tails
and five knots in each tail). Get a white-hilted knife and a wand (a
sword is not necessary). Cut the marks with Athame. Purify
everything, then consecrate your tools in proper form and ever be
properly prepared. But ever remember, magical operations are useless
unless the mind can be brought to the proper attitude, keyed to the
utmost pitch. Affirmations must be made clearly, and the mind should be
inflamed with desire. With this frenzy of will, you may do as much
with simple tools as with the most complete set. But good and
especially ancient tools have their own aura. They do help to bring
about that reverential spirit, the desire to learn and develop your
powers. For this reason witches ever try to obtain tools from
sorcerers, who, being skilled men, make good tools and consecrate them
well, giving them mighty power. But a great witch's tools also gain
much power; and you should ever strive to make any tools you
manufacture of the finest materials you can obtain, to the end that
they may absorb your power the more easily. And of course if you may
inherit or obtain another witch's tools, power will flow from them. It
is an old belief that the best substances for making tools are those
that have once had life in them, as opposed to artificial substances.
Thus wood or ivory is better for a wand than metal, which is more
appropriate for knives or swords. Virgin parchment is better than
manufactured paper for talismans, etc. And things which have been made
by hand are good, because there is life in them.

B.14. Skyclad (1953)

It is important to work naked from the start, so it becometh as second

nature, and no thought of "I have no clothes" shall ever intrude and
take your attention from the work. Also, your skin being so accustomed
to unconfinement, when power is given off the flow is more easy and
regular. Also, when dancing you are free and unconfined. . . . And the
greatest of all, the touch of the body of your beloved thrills your
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inmost soul, and so your body gives out its utmost power; and then it is
most important of all that there is not the slightest thing to divert
the attention, for then the mind must seize and mold the power
generated, and redirect it to the desired end with all the force and
frenzy of the imagination. It has been said that no real knowledge may
be gained our way, that our practices are such that they can only lead
to lust; but this is not really so. Our aim is to gain the inner sight,
and we do it the most natural and easy way. Our opponents' aim is ever
to prevent man and woman from loving, thinking that everything that
helps or even permits them to love is wicked and vile. To us it is
natural, and if it aids the Great Work it is good. 'Tis true that a
couple burning with a frenzy for knowledge may go straight to their
goal, but the average couple have not this fire. We show them the way,
our system of props and aids (i.e., magic ritual). A couple working
with nothing but lust will never attain in any case; but a couple who
love each other dearly should already be sleeping together, and the
first frenzy of love will have passed, and their souls will already be
in sympathy. If the first time or two they do stay a while to worship
Aphrod ite, 'tis only a day or two lost, and the intense pleasure they
obtain only leads them again to the mysteries of Hermes, their souls
more attuned to the great search. Once they have pierced the veil they
will not look back. This rite may be used as the greatest of magics if
it be done with both partners firmly fixing their minds on the object
and not thinking of sex at all. That is, you must so firmly fix your
mind on your object that sex and all else are naught. You inflame your
will to such an extent that you may create a strain on the astral such
that events happen.
C.1. A Revision of the Casting Procedure (1957)
ALL ARE PURIFIED
[1] Magus consecrates salt and water.
[2] High Priestess kneels at Altar, takes up Sword, says, "I conjure
thee, O Sword of Steel, to serve me as a defence in all Magical
Operations. Guard me at all times against mine enemies, both visible
and invisible. Grant that I may obtain what I desire in all things
wherein I may use Thee, Wherefore do I bless Thee and invoke Thee in the
names of Aradia and Cernunnos." Gives Sword to Magus.
[3] Magus kneeling hands her vessel of consecrated Water and
Aspergillum. He Casts the Circle, three circles, on the lines marked
out, starting at the East and returning to the East. High Priestess
follows, Asperging Circle (sprinkling it to purify it) and all present
and finally herself. Then she goes round again censing it. (Everyone
in the circle must be sprinkled and censed.) She returns vessel, etc.,
to Magus, who places them on altar, or convenient place, and hands her
Sword [handwritten].
[4] She walks slowly round Circle, saying, "I conjure Thee, O Circle of
Space, that thou be a Boundary and a Protection and a meeting place
between the world of Men and that of the Dread Lords of the OUTER
SPACES, that Thou be cleansed, Purified, and strengthened to be a
Guardian and a Protection that shall preserve and contain THAT POWER
which we so earnestly desire to raise within thy bounds this night,
wherefore do I bless thee and entreat thee to aid me in the endeavor, in
the names of Aradia and Cernun nos." Hands sword to Magus [handwritten].
[5] Magus then summons the Mighty Ones as usual.
[6] High Priestess stands in front of Altar (which may be pushed back
for this). High Priestess assumes Goddess position (arms crossed).
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Magus kneeling in front of her, draws pentacle on her body with
Phallus-headed Wand, Invokes (Drawing down the Moon), "I Invoke and
beseech Thee, O mighty MOTHER of all life and fertility. `By seed and
root, by stem and bud, by leaf and flower and fruit, by Life and Love,
do I invoke Thee' to descend into the body of thy servant and High
Priestess (name)." (The Moon hav ing been drawn down, i.e., link
established, Magus and all male officers give fivefold kiss; all others
bow.)
[7] High Priestess in Goddess position says, arms crossed,
"Mother, Darksome and Divine,Mine the Scourge and Mine the Kiss,The
Five-point Star of Love and Bliss; Here I charge ye in this Sign. (Opens
out Arms to pentacle position)
Bow before my Spirit bright (All bow)
Aphrodite, Arianrhod,Lover of the Horned God,
Queen of Witchery and Night.
Diana, Brigid, Melusine,
Am I named of old by men,
Artemis and Cerridwen,
Hell's dark mistress, Heaven's Queen.
Ye who ask of me a boon,
Meet ye in some hidden shade,
Lead my dance in greenwood glade
By the light of the full moon.
Dance about mine altar stone,
Work my holy magistry,
Ye who are fain of sorcery,
I bring ye secrets yet unknown.
No more shall ye know slavery
who tread my round the Sabbat night.
Come ye all naked to the rite
In sign that ye are truly free.
Keep ye my mysteries in mirth,
Heart joined to heart and lip to lip.
Five are the points of fellowship
That bring ye ecstasy on Earth.
No other law but love I know;
By naught but love may I be known,
And all that liveth is my own:
From me they come, to me they go.
C.2. The Prose Charge (1957)
THE CHARGE, to be read while the initiate stands, properly prepared
before the Circle.
[Magus]: Listen to the words of the Great mother, who was of old also
called among men, Artemis, Astarte, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite,
Cerridwen, Diana, Arianrhod, Bride, and by many other names.
[High Priestess]: "At mine Altars the youth of Lacedaemon in Sparta made
due sacrifice. Whenever ye have need of anything, once in the month, and
better it be when the moon is full. Then ye shall assemble in some
secret place and adore the spirit of Me who am Queen of all Witcheries.
There ye shall assemble, ye who are fain to learn all sorcery, yet who
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have not won its deepest secrets. To these will I teach things that are
yet unknown. And ye shall be free from slavery, and as a sign that ye be
really fre e, ye shall be naked in your rites, and ye shall dance, sing,
feast, make music, and love, all in my praise.' "For mine is the ecstasy
of the Spirit, and mine is also joy on earth. For my Law is Love unto
all beings. "Keep pure your highest ideals. Strive ever towards it.
Let naught stop you or turn you aside. "For mine is the secret which
opens upon the door of youth; and mine is the cup of the Wine of Life:
and the Cauldron of Cerridwen, which is the Holy Grail of Immortality.
"I am the Gracious Goddess who gives the gift of Joy unto the heart of
Man. "Upon Earth I give the knowledge of the Spirit Eternal, and beyond
death I give peace and freedom, and reunion with those who have gone
before. Nor do I demand aught in sacrifice, for behold, I am the Mother
of all things, and my love is poured out upon earth."

[Magus]: Hear ye the words of the Star Goddess, She in the dust of whose
feet are the hosts of Heaven, whose body encircleth the universe.
[High Priestess]: "I who am the beauty of the green earth; and the White
Moon amongst the Stars; and the mystery of the Waters; and the desire of
the heart of man. I call unto thy soul: arise and come unto me. "For I
am the Soul of nature who giveth life to the Universe; `From me all
things proceed; and unto me, all things must return.' Beloved of the
Gods and men, thine inmost divine self shall be enfolded in the raptures
of the infinite. "Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth, for
behold: all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals; and therefore let
there be Beauty and Strength, Power and Compassion, Honour and Humility,
Mirth and reverence within you. "And thou who thinkest to seek me, know
that thy seeking and yearning shall avail thee not unless thou know the
mystery, that if that which thou seekest thou findest not within thee,
thou wilt never find it without thee, for behold; I have been with thee
from the beginning, and I am that which is attained at the end of
desire."
C.3. CAKES AND WINE. (1957)
High Priestess seated on Altar, God position.
Magus, kneeling, kisses her feet, then knees, bows with head below her
knees, extends arms along her thighs, and adores.
Magus fills cup and offers it to High Priestess, who, holding Athame
between palms, places point in cup.
Magus says: "As the Athame is the male, so the cup is the female, and
conjoined they bring blessedness."
High Priestess lays Athame aside, and takes Cup and drinks, gives Cup to
server, who puts a little in each glass.
Magus presents Pentacle with cakes to High Priestess, saying, "Oh Queen
most secret, bless this food unto our bodies, bestowing health, wealth,
strength, joy and peace, and that fulfillment of love that is perpetual
happiness".
High Priestess blesses them with Athame, takes Cake and eats, while the
Magus gives her the Cup again and kisses knees and adores.
All sit as Witches, and invite High Priestess to join them.

C.4. The Sabbat Rituals (1957)

Spring equinox
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The symbol of the wheel should be placed on the altar upright, decked with flowers,
flanked with burning candles. The Cauldron, containing spirits, is in the east.
Magus in west, High Priestess in east with Phallic wand or pinecone-tipped wand, or
broomstick, or riding pole, broom upwards.
High Priestess lights Cauldron, saying,
"We kindle fire this day!
In the presence of the Holy Ones:Without malice, without jealousy, without envy.
Without fear of aught beneath the sun.But the High Gods.
Thee we invoke: O light of life:Be thou a bright flame before us:
Be thou a guiding star above us:Be thou a smooth path beneath us;
Kindle thou in our hearts within,A flame of love for our neighbor, To
our foes, to our friends, to our kindred all:To all men on this broad
Earth.
O merciful son of Cerridwen, From the lowest thing that liveth
To the name that is highest of all."
High Priestess draw pentacle upon Magus with wand, kiss, gives it to
him. He does likewise. They lead the dance round the circle, all
couples leaping burning fire. The last couple as the fire goes out
should be well-purified three times, and each should give Fivefold Kiss
to all of opposite sex.
Cakes and wine.
If the people will, the Cauldron dance can be done again, many times, or
other games can be played.
Summer Solstice
Form circle. Invoke, Purify. Cauldron is placed before altar filled
with water, wreathed with summer flowers. The people, men and women
alternately, stand round circle. High Priestess stands in north, before
Cauldron, holding raised wand, which should be Phallic or tipped with a
pinecone (anciently the thyrsus) or a riding pole or a broomstick,
invokes the sun.
"Great One of Heaven, Power of the Sun, we invoke thee in thine ancient
names, Michael, Balin, Arthur, Lugh, Herne. Come again, as of old, into
this thy land. Lift up thy shining spear of light to protect us. Put
to flight the powers of darkness, give us fair woodlands and green
fields, blossoming orchards and r ipening corn. Bring us to stand upon
thy hill of vision, and show us the path to the lovely realms of the
gods."
High Priestess draws invoking pentacle on Magus with wand.
Magus comes forward sunwise and takes wand with kiss, plunges wand into
Cauldron and holds it upright, saying, "The spear to the Cauldron, the
lance to the Grail, spirit to flesh, man to woman, sun to earth." He
salutes High Priestess over Cauldron, then rejoins people, still bearing
wand.
High Priestess takes aspergillum, stands by Cauldron, says, "Dance ye
about the Cauldron of Cerridwen the Goddess, and be ye blessed with the
touch of this consecrated water, even as the sun, the lord of light,
arriveth in his strength in the sign of the waters of life."
The people dance sunwise about the altar and Cauldron, led by Magus
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bearing wand. High Priestess sprinkles them lightly as they pass her.
Ritual of cakes and wine.
Any other dances, rites, or games as the Priestess and people wish.
Autumn equinox
The altar should be decorated with symbols of autumn, pine cones, oak
sprigs, acorns, or ears of corn, and should have fire or burning incense
on it as usual. After usual purification, the people stand round, men
and women alternately. Magus at west of altar in God position.
High Priestess stands at east of altar, facing him, and reads the
incantation.
"Farewell, O Sun, ever returning light. The hidden god, who ever yet
remains. He departs to the land of youth, through the gates of death,
to dwell enthroned, the judge of gods and man. The horned leader of the
hosts of air. Yet, even as stand unseen about the circle the forms of
the Mighty Lords of the Outer Spaces,. So dwelleth he, `the lord within
ourselves'. So dwelleth he within the secret seed, the seed of new
reaped grain, the seed of flesh, hidden in the earth, the marvellous
seed of the stars.
`In him is life, and life is the light of men [John 1:4],' that which
was never born and never dies. Therefore the Wicca weep not, but
rejoice."
The High Priestess goes to the Magus with a kiss. He lays aside Athame
and scourge, and kisses her. The High Priestess hands him her wand,
which should be Phallic, or a branch tipped with a pinecone, Or a riding
pole, or a broomstick (anciently the thyrsus). They lead the dance, she
with a systrum or rattle, he with wand, the people falling in behind
them, dancing three times round the altar. Then the candle game is
played.
Cakes and wine.
Great Rite if possible.
Dances and games.

Winter Solstice
Form circle in usual manner, invoking the Mighty Ones.
The Cauldron of Cerridwen is placed in the circle at the south wreathed
with holly, ivy, and mistletoe, with fire lighted within it. There
should be no other light except for the candles on the altar and about
the circle.
After all are purified, the Moon should be drawn down.

Then the High Priestess stands behind the Cauldron in pentacle position,
symbolizing the rebirth of the sun. The people, man and woman
alternately, stand round the circle. The Magus stands facing the High
Priestess with a bundle of torches, or candles, and the book of words of
the incantation. One of the officers stands beside him with a lighted
candle, so that he may have light to read by.
The people begin to slowly move round the circle sunwise. As each
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passes him the Magus lights his
Cauldron, which may be simply a
torches. Then the people dance
incantation. (A real fire must
podsbos7
candle or torch from the fire in the
candle, till all have lighted candles or
round slowly as he reads the
now be kindled in the Cauldron.)

Queen of the Moon, Queen of the Sun. Queen of the Heavens, Queen of the
Stars.
Queen of the Waters, Queen of the Earth. Who ordained to us the child of
promise:
It is the Great Mother who gives birth to him, He is the Lord of Life
who is born again, Darkness and tears are set behind,And the star of
guidance comes up early.
Golden sun of hill and mountain illumine the land, illumine the world,
illumine the seas, illumine the rivers,Grief be laid, and joy be raised.
Blessed be the Great Mother, Without beginning, without ending, To
everlasting, to eternity, I O. Evohe, Blessed be."
The dance commences slowly, in rhythm with the chant, all taking up the
call "I. O. Blessed be." The Priestess joins dance and leads them with
a quicker rhythm. The cauldron with burning fire is pushed so that the
dancers leap or step over it, in couples. Whichever couple is passing
it as it goes out, should be well-purified, three times each, and may
pay any amusing forfeit as the High Priestess may ordain. Sometimes the
cauldron is relighted several times for this purpose.
C.5 The Eightfold Path or Ways. (1957)
1. Meditation or concentration, actually by the firm knowledge that you
can and will succeed -- forming a clear picture in your mind or your
requirements.
2. Trance states, Clairvoyance, Projection of the Astral etc.
3. Drugs, Wine, Incense.
4. Dance, Performing Rites with a purpose.
5. Chants, Spells etc.
6. Blood control (Cords etc), Breath control.
7. Scourge
8. The Great Rite
N.B.
The great thing is to combine as many of these paths into the one
operation. No 1 must be in all -- for if you have no clear picture of
what you wish and no certainty you will not succeed -- 'tis useless. No
2 can be combined with this easily. Nos 3, 4, and 5 are all good
preliminaries- also 6 and 7; but No 3 is dangerous and therefore if
possible should be avoided, except for incense, which is harmless if too
much is not used.
The best combination is Nos. 1, 4, 5 and 7, for small purposes, with no
8 if great force is necessary. Also a combination of 1, 6 and 7 is good
if more can not be done; this if properly performed leads to No. 2.

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C.6. The First-Degree Initiation (1957)
Draw Circle with Magic Sword or Athame.
Sprinkle with Exorcised Water.
Go round Circle with Magic Sword or Athame, Saying, "I conjure thee, O
Circle of Power, that thou beest as a Boundary and a Protection to
contain the magic power which I will raise within thy bounds. So do I
bless thee, in the names of Aradia and Cernunnos."
Go round, saying at East, South, West, and North, "I summon, stir, and
call thee up, ye Mighty Ones of the East (South, West, North), to
witness the rites and to guard the circle."
Magus draws down Moon on High Priestess.
Read Charge, then say, "O thou who standest on the threshold between the
pleasant world of men and the dread domains of the lords of the outer
spaces, hast thou the courage to make the assay?" (Place point of the
Magic Sword or Athame to Postulant's heart.) "For I say verily it were
better to rush on my blade and perish than to make the attempt with fear
in thy heart."
Postulant: "I have two perfect words: perfect love, and perfect trust."
Say, "All who have are doubly welcome."
Entering position: "I give you a third to pass you through this dread
door." Gives it [kiss].
Lead Postulant sunwise to south of altar, and say, "O thou who hast
declared intent to become one of us, hear then that which thou must know
to do. Single is the race of men and of Gods; from a single source we
both draw breath, but a difference of power in everything keeps us
apart, for we are as nothing, but the Gods stay forever. Yet we can, in
greatness of minds, be like the Gods, though we know not to what goal by
day or in the night Fate has written that we shall run. Beyond all seas
and Earth's la st boundaries, beyond the Spring of night and the
Heavens' vast expanse, there lies a majesty which is the domain of the
Gods. Thou who would pass through the Gates of Night and Day to that
sweet place, which is between the worlds of men and the domains of the
Lords of the outer spaces, know that unless there is truth in thy heart,
thy every effort is doomed to failure. HEAR THEN THE LAW: that thou
lovest all things in nature; that thou shalt suffer no person to be
harmed by thy hands or in thy mind; that thou walkest humbly in the ways
of men and the ways of the Gods. Also it is the law that contentment
thou shalt learn, through suffering, and from long years and from
nobility of mind and of purpose, FOR THE WISE NEVER GROW OLD. Their
minds are nourished by living in the daylight of the Gods, and if among
the vulgar some discoveries should arise concerning some maxims of thy
belief in the Gods, so do thou, for the most part, keep silent. For
there is a great risk that thou mayest straightway vomit up th at which
thou hast not digested, and when someone shall say to thee, "Thou
knowest naught," and it bites thee not, then knowest thou that thou hast
begun the work. And as sheep do not bring their food to the shepherd to
show how much they have eaten, but digesting inwardly their provender,
bear outwardly wool and milk, even so, do not thou display the maxims to
the vulgar, but rather the works that flow when they are digested. Now
there is the ordeal." [This speech was added after about 1960.]
Tie cord around Postulant's right ankle, leaving ends free; say, "Feet
neither bound nor free."
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Leading postulant, proclaim at four quarters, "Take heed, ye Lords of
the Watchtowers of the East (South, West, North), that (name) is
properly prepared to be made a priestess and a witch."

Three times round the Circle with Dance step and chant.
Place Postulant in East; say, "Kneel."
Postulant kneels.
Strike eleven knells on bell; say, "Rise. In other religions the
postulant kneels while the priest towers above him, but in the Art
Magical we are taught to be humble, and so we kneel to welcome them, and
we say:
"Blessed be the feet that have brought you in these ways [kiss];
"Blessed be the knees that shall kneel at the sacred altar [kiss];

"Blessed be thy womb (or organ of generation), without which we would

not be [kiss];
"Blessed be thy breasts, erected in beauty and in strength [kiss];

"Blessed be thy lips, which shall utter the sacred names [kiss].
"Before ye are sworn, art willing to pass the ordeal and be purified?"
Postulant "I am."
Take measure: height (tie knot); around head (tie knot); around heart
(tie knot); around hips (tie knot). Prick postulant's thumb; catch
blood on measure. Place measure on altar. Have postulant kneel, tie
postulant's feet together, and secure cable tow to altar. Three strokes
on bell. Say, "Art ready to swear that thou wilt always be true to the
Art?"
Postulant "I am."
Strike seven times on bell and say, "Thou must first be purified."
Scourge 3, 7, 9, 21.
Say, "Ye have bravely passed the test. Art always ready to help,
protect, and defend thy brothers and sisters of the Art?"
Postulant "I am."
"Then say after me: I, (name), in the presence of the mighty ones of
the outer spaces, do of my own free will most solemnly swear that I will
ever keep secret and never reveal the secrets of the Art, except it be
to a proper person, properly prepared, within such a circle as I am in
now, and that I will never deny the Secrets to such a person if they be
vouched for by a brother or Sister of the Art. All this I swear by my
hopes of a future life, and may my weapons turn against me if I break
this my solemn oath."
Loosen cords from ankles and from altar, and remove blindfold; assist to
rise.
"I hereby sign thee with the triple sign [the point-down triangle
formed by touching the genitals, the right breast, the left breast, and
the genitals again.] I consecrate thee with oil. I consecrate thee with
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wine. I consecrate thee with my lips, Priest (Priestess) and Witch."
Remove Cords [kiss].
"I now present to you the working tools. First the magic sword. With
this, as with the athame, thou canst form all magic circles, dominate,
subdue, and punish all rebellious spirits and demons, and even persuade
angels and good spirits. With this in your hand, you are ruler of the
circle." [kiss]
"Next I present to you the athame. This is the true witches' weapon,
and has all the powers of the magic sword." [kiss]
"Next I present the white-handled knife. Its use is to form all
instruments used in the Art. It can only be used in a magic circle."
[kiss]
"Next I present the wand. Its use is to call up and control certain
angels and genie to whom it would not be meet to use the sword or
athame." [kiss]
"Next I present the pentacle. This is for the purpose of calling up
the appropriate spirits." [kiss]
"Next I present the censer of incense. This is used to encourage and
welcome good spirits, and to banish evil spirits." [kiss]
"Next I present the scourge. This is a sign of power and domination.
It is also used to cause purification and enlightenment, for it is
written, `To learn you must suffer and be purified.' [kiss]
Art willing to suffer to learn?"
Postulant: "I am."
"Next and lastly I present the cords. They are of use to bind the
sigils of the art, also the material basis. Also they are necessary in
the oath." [kiss]
"I now salute you in the names of Aradia and Cernunnos, Newly made
Priestess and Witch."
Lead round and proclaim to four quarters, "Hear, ye Mighty Ones, (name)
has been consecrated a priestess of the Goddess."
Now present new Witch to coven members. All should kiss and hug new
Witch as welcome into membership.
To close circle proclaim to four quarters, "Ye Mighty Ones of the East
(South, West, North), I thank you for attending and, ere ye depart for
your lovely realms, I say hail and farewell."
C.7. The Second-Degree Initiation (1957)
Form Circle in usual manner, invoking the Mighty Ones at the Four
Quarters. The Initiate should be properly prepared and bound with the
Cords.
All are purified, including Initiate.
Circle once, proclaiming at the Four Quarters: "Hear Ye Mighty Ones, .
. . (N), a duly consecrated Priestess and Witch is now properly
prepared to be made a High Priest and Magus (High Priestess and Witch
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Queen)."
Circle three times, with dance step and chant.
Initiate then kneels before the Altar and is secured with the Cords.
Priestess or Magus: "To attain to this sublime Degree it is necessary
to suffer and be purified. Art willing to suffer to learn?"
Initiate: "I am."
Priestess or Magus: "I purify thee to take this great oath rightly".
Strike three strokes upon the bell. Scourge 3, 7, 9, 21. "I now give
thee a new name: . . ." [kiss]
"Repeat thy new name after me, saying, `I, . . ., swear, upon my
mother's womb and by mine honour among men and my brothers and sisters
of the Art, that I will never reveal to any at all any of the secrets
of the Art, except it be to a worthy person, properly prepared, in the
center of a Magic Circle such as I am now in. This I swear by my hopes
of salvation, my past lives and my hopes of future ones to come and I
devote myself and my measure to utter destruction if I break this my
solemn Oath.'"
Kneel.
Place Left Hand under Initiate's Knee and Right Hand on Head, thus
forming Magic Link, saying: "I will all my power into thee."

WILL.
Loose, assist to rise.
Consecrate: "I consecrate thee with oil [on genitals, right breast,
left hip, right hip, left breast, genitals), I consecrate thee with
wine, I consecrate thee with my lips, High Priest and Magus (High
Priestess and Witch Queen)." Loose remaining cords. [kiss]
"You will now use the working tools in turn, "First the Magic Sword
(Form Circle) [kiss]
"Second the Athame. (Form Circle) [kiss]
"Third the White-Handled Knife (use) [kiss] "Fourth the Wand. (Wave
to 4 Quarters) [kiss]
"Fifth the Pentacle. (Show to 4 Quarters) [kiss]
"Sixth the Censer. (Circle, cense) [kiss]
"Seventh the Cords. (Use) [kiss]
"Eighth the scourge: for learn, in witchcraft you must ever give as you
receive, but ever triple. So where I gave thee 3, return 9; where I
gave 7, return 21; where I gave 9, return 27; where I gave 21, return
63." (Use, 9, 21, 27, 63; i.e., 120 in all [kiss])
"Thou hast obeyed the law. But mark well, when thou receivest good, so
equally art bound to return good threefold."
The Priestess or Magus is then loosed from the cords and says: "Having
learned thus far, you must know why the Wicca are called the Hidden
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Children of the Goddess".
Then the Legend of the Goddess is either read or acted out. If it is
possible to act it out, the new Initiate may take one of the parts.
One of the Coven should act as Narrator, and another as Guardian of the
Portal. The Priestess, or another woman, may act the part of the
Goddess, and the Magus, or another man, may act the part of the God.
The Priestess -- or whoever is taking the part of the Goddess -- takes
off her necklace and lays it on the Altar. Then she goes outside the
circle and is dressed in a veil and jewellery. The Magus -- or whoever
is taking the part of the God -- is invested with a horned crown and
girds on a sword, which he draws and stands in the God position with
sword and scourge, by the altar.
Narrator: "In ancient times our Lord, the Horned One, was, as he still
is, the Consoler, the Comforter; but men knew him as the Dread Lord of
Shadows -- lonely, stern, and hard. Now our Lady the Goddess had never
loved, but she would solve all mysteries, even the mystery of Death --
and so she journeyed to the Nether Lands. The Guardians of the Portals
challenged her:"
(The Priestess -- or whoever is taking the part of the Goddess --
advances to the side of the Circle. Whoever is taking the part of the
Guardian of the Portal challenges her with the Sword or Athame.)

Narrator: "`Strip off thy garments, lay aside thy jewels, for naught may
ye bring with ye into this our land'. So she laid down her garments and
her jewels and was bound, as are all who enter the realms of Death the
Mighty One".
(The Priestess takes off the veil and the jewellery and lays them down
outside the Circle. The Guardian of the Portal binds her with the Cords
and brings her inside the Circle.)
Narrator: "Such was her beauty that Death himself knelt and laid his
sword and crown at her feet and kissed her feet."
(The Magus -- or whoever is playing the part of the God -- comes forward
and lays the Horned Crown and the Sword at the Priestess's feet and
kisses her feet)
Narrator: "Saying, `Blessed be thy feet that have brought thee in these
ways. Abide with me, but let me place my cold hand on thy heart'. And
she replied, `I love thee not. Why dost thou cause all things that I
love and take delight in to fade and die?' `Lady,' replied Death, `'Tis
Age and Fate, against which I am helpless. Age causes all things to
wither; but when men die at the end of time, I give them rest and peace
and strength, so that they may return. But you, you are lovely. Return
not; abide with me.' But she answered, `I love thee not.' Then said
Death, `An you receive not my hand on your heart, you must receive
Death's scourge.'"
(The Magus rises and takes up the Scourge from the Altar.)
Narrator: "`It is fate, better so,' she said, and she knelt."
(The Priestess kneels before the altar, and the Magus uses the scourge
3, 7, 9, 21.)
Narrator: "And Death scourged her tenderly, and she cried, `I feel the
pangs of love'. And Death raised her, and said, `Blessed be,' and he
gave her the Fivefold Kiss, saying, `Thus only may you attain to joy and
knowledge'."
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(The Magus raises the Priestess, gives her the Fivefold Kiss and unties
the cords)
Narrator: "And he taught her all the Mysteries and gave her the
necklace, which is the Circle of Rebirth."
(The Magus takes the Priestess's necklace from the Altar and replaces it
about her neck. The Priestess takes up the Sword and the Horned Crown
from the floor, where the Magus placed them, and gives them back to him.
Then he stands as before by the Altar, in the position of the God, and
she stands by his side in the pentacle position, as Goddess)
Narrator: "And she taught him the mystery of the sacred cup, which is
the cauldron of rebirth. They loved and were one; and he taught her all
the Magics. For there be three great mysteries in the life of man --
love, death, and resurrection in a new body -- and magic controls them
all. To fulfill love you must return at the same time and place as the
loved one, and you must meet and know and remember and love them again.
But to be reborn you must die and be ready for a new body; to die you
must be born; without love you may not be born -- and these be all the
magics. And our Goddess ever inclineth to love and mirth and happiness,
and guardeth and cheriseth Her hidden children in life; and in death she
teacheth the way to have communion, and even in this world She teacheth
them the Mystery of the Magic Circle, which is placed between the
worlds."
The Priestess or Magus then replaces the Sword, Crown, Scourge, etc.,
upon the Altar, and taking the new Initiate by the hand and holding the
Athame in the other, passes once round the Circle, proclaiming at the
Four Quarters, "Hear, Ye Mighty Ones, . . . hath been duly consecrated
High Priest and Magus (or High Priestess and Witch Queen)."
C.8. The Third-Degree Initiation (1957)
Magus gives Fivefold Kiss.
Magus: "Ere we proceed with this sublime degree, I must beg purification
at thy hands."
High Priestess binds Magus and ties him down to the altar. She
circumambulates three times, and scourges Magus with three, seven, nine,
and 21 strokes. She then unbinds him and helps him to his feet.
Magus now binds the High Priestess and ties her down to the altar. He
circumambulates, proclaiming to the four quarters, "Hear, ye mighty
Ones, the twice consecrate and Holy (name), High Priestess and Witch
Queen, is properly prepared and will now proceed to erect the Sacred
Altar."
Magus scourges High Priestess with three, seven, nine, and 21 strokes.
Magus kisses her feet. "Ere I dare proceed with this sublime degree, I
must again beg purification at thy hands."
She binds and scourges him.
Note: if High Priestess has not performed this rite before, he says,
"Here I reveal to you a great mystery." [Kneel and place couch in
position so as to face north.]

Assist me to build
As the Mighty One willed,
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An Altar of praise,
From beginning of days,
Thus doth it lie,
Twixt the points of the sky,
For thus it was placed
When the Goddess embraced
The Horned One, Her Lord,
Who taught her the word,
[Priestess lies down in such a way that her vagina is approximately at
the center of the circle]
Which quickened the womb,
And conquered the Tomb.
Be thus as of yore,
The Shrine we adore, [kiss]
The feast without fail,
The life-giving Grail, [kiss]
Before it uprear
The Miraculous Spear,
And invoke in this sign
The Goddess divine. [kiss]

Invoke: "Thou who at moon of night doth reign,

Queen of the starry realm above,
`Not unto Thee may we attain
Unless Thine Image be of Love.' [kiss]

By moon-rays silver shaft of power,

By green leaf breaking from the bud,
By seed that springeth into flower,
By life that courseth in the blood. [kiss]
By rushing wind and leaping flame,
By flowing water and green earth,
Pour us the wine of our desire
From out Thy Cauldron of Rebirth. [kiss]

Here may we see in vision clear

The Secret Strange unveiled at length,
The wondrous Twin-Pillars rear
Erect in Beauty and in Strength. [kiss breasts]
Altar of Mysteries manifold,
The Sacred Circle's central point,
Thus do I sign thee as of old,
With kisses of my lips anoint.
(Eightfold Kiss: 3 points, Lips, 2 Breasts and back to lips, & 5
points*, with oil, wine, & kisses)
Open for me the Secret Way,
The pathway of intelligence,
Between the Gates of Night and Day,
Beyond the bounds of time and sense.

Behold the Mystery aright,

The Five True Points of Fellowship,
Here where the Lance and Grail unite,
And feet and knees and breast and lips."
Magus and High Priestess: "Encourage our hearts, Let thy Light
crystallize itself in our blood, fulfilling us of Resurrection, for
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there is no part of us that is not of the Gods."
(Exchange Names.)
C.9. The Witches' Chant or Rune (1957)
Darksome night and Shining Moon,
East, then South, then West, then North,
Harken to the Witches Rune:
Here come I to call thee forth.
Earth and Water, Air and Fire,
Wand and Pentacle and Sword,
Work ye unto my desire,
Harken ye unto my word.
Cords and Censer, Scourge and knife,
Powers of the Witches Blade,
Waken all ye into life,
Come ye as the Charm is made:
Queen of Heaven, Queen of Hell,
Horned Hunter of the Night,
Lend your power unto the Spell,
Work my will by Magic Rite.
If chant is used to reinforce a work already begun, end with this:
By all the power of land and sea, by all the might of moon and sun,

What is my will- "So mote it be,"What I do say- "It shall be done."

C.10. Consecrating Tools (1957)
(Note: if possible lay any new weapon touching an already consecrated
one, Sword to sword, Athame to Athame, etc.)
[1] Prepare Circle and purify. All tools must be consecrated by a man
and a woman, both as naked as drawn swords; they must be purified,
clean, and properly prepared.
[2] Place tool on pentacle on altar. Magus sprinkles it with salt and
water. Witch passes it through smoke of incense, replaces it on
pentacle. Touching with already consecrated weapon, they say the First
Conjuration.
[2a] For sword or athame, say "I conjure thee, O Sword (or Athame) of
Steel, that thou servest me for a strength and a defence in all magical
operations, against all mine enemies, visible and invisible, in the
names of Aradia and Cernunnos. I conjure thee anew by the Holy Names
Aradia and Cernunnos, that thou servest me for a protection in all
adversities, so aid me."
[2b] For any other tool, say, "Aradia and Cernunnos, deign to bless and
to consecrate this [tool], that it may obtain necessary virtue through
thee for all acts of love and Beauty."
[3] Again they sprinkle and cense, and say the Second Conjuration:
[3a] For sword or athame, say, "I conjure thee, O Sword [Athame] of
Steel, by the Great Gods and the Gentle Goddesses, by the virtue of the
Heavens, of the Stars, of the Spirits who preside over them, that thou
mayest receive such virtues that I may obtain the end that I desire in
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all things wherein I shall use thee, by the power of Aradia and
Cernunnos."
[3b] For any other tool, say, "Aradia and Cernunnos, bless this
instrument prepared in thine honour." (For the scourge or cords, add,
"That it may only serve for a good use and end, and to thy Glory.")
[4] All instruments when consecrated should be presented to their User
by giving the [point-down triangle] sign salute (if they are working in
the 1st degree, or the sign of the higher degree if they are working
that.)
[5] Then the one who is not the owner should give the Fivefold Kiss to
the owner. For the final kiss, the tool should be placed between the
breasts, and the two workers should embrace for as long as they feel
like, it being held in place by their bodies. The new owner should use
it immediately, i.e., cast (trace) Circle with Sword or Athame, wave
wand to 4 quarters, cut something with white-handled knife, etc. Cords
and scourge should be used at once.
The tool should be kept in as close connection as possible to the naked
body for at least a month, i.e., kept under pillow, etc. When not in
use, all tools and weapons should be put away in a secret place; and it
is good that this should be near your sleeping place, and that you
handle them each night before retiring. Do not allow anyone to touch or
handle any of your tools until they are thoroughly impregnated with your
aura; say, six months or as near as possible. But a couple working
together may own the same tools, which will be impregnated with the aura
of both.
D.1 The Old Laws (1961)
[A] The Law was made and Aredan of old. The law was made for the Wicca,
to advise and help in their troubles. The Wicca should give due worship
to the Gods and obey their will, which they Aredan, for it was made for
the good of the Wicca, As the [5] Wicca's worship is good for the Gods,
For the Gods love the Wicca. As a man loveth a woman, by mastering her,
so the Wicca should love the Gods, by being mastered by them. And it is
necessary that the Circle, which is the Temple of the Gods, should be
truly cast and purified, that it [10] may be a fit place for the Gods to
enter. And the Wicca should be properly prepared and purified, to enter
into the presence of the Gods. With love and worship in their hearts
they shall raise power from their bodies to give power to the Gods, as
has been toughed us of old, [15] For in this way only may man have
communion with the Gods, for the Gods cannot help man without the help
of men.
[B] And the High Priestess shall rule her Coven as representative of the
Goddess, and the High Priest shall support her as the representative of
the God, And the High Priestess shall choose whom she [20] will, if he
have sufficient rank, to be her High Priest), For the God himself,
kissed her feet in the fivefold salute, laying his power at the feet of
the Goddess, because of her youth and beauty, her sweetness and
kindness, her wisdom and Justice, her humility and generosity. So he
resigned his lordship to her. But the Priestess should [25] ever mind
that all power comes from him. lt is only lent when it is used wisely
and justly. And the greatest virtue of a High Priestess is that she
recognizes that youth is necessary to the representative of the Goddess,
so that she will retire gracefully in favour of a younger woman, Should
the Coven so decide in Council, For the true [30] High Priestess
realizes that gracefully surrendering pride of place is one of the
greatest of virtues, and t hat thereby she will return to that pride of
place in another life, with greater power and beauty.
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[C] In the days when Witchdom extended far, we were free and worshipped
in Alther Greatest Temples, but in these unhappy times [35] we must
hold our sacred mysteries in secret. So it be Aredan, that none but the
Wicca may see our mysteries, for our enemies are many, And torture
looseth the tongues of many. It be aredan that each Coven shall not know
where the next Coven bide, or who its members are, save the Priest and
Priestess, [40] That there shall be no communication between them, save
by the Messenger of the Gods, or the Summoner. Only if it be safe, may
the Covens meet, in some safe place, for the great festivals. And while
there, none shall say whence they come, or give their true names, to the
end that, if any are tortured, in their agony, they can [45] not tell if
they know not. So it be Aredan that no one may tell any not of the
Craft who be of the Wicca, nor give any names, or where they bide, or in
any way tell anything which can betray any to our foes, nor may they
tell where the Covenstead be, or where is the Covendom, [50] or where be
the meeting s or that there have been meetings. And if any break these
laws, even under torture, The Curse of the Goddess shall be upon them,
so they never reborn on earth, And may they remain where they belong, in
the Hell of the Christians.
[D] Let each High Priestess govern her Coven with Justice and [55] love,
with the help of the advice of the elders, always heeding the advice of
the Messenger of the Gods, if he cometh. She will heed all complaints of
brothers, and strive to settle all differences among them, but it must
be recognized that there be people who will ever strive to force others
to do as they will. [60] They are not necessarily evil, and they often
do have good ideas, and such ideas should be talked over in council. And
if they will not agree with their brothers, or if they say, "I will not
work under this High Priestess," it hath always been the old law to be
convenient for the brethren, and to void disputes, any of the Third [65]
may claim to found a new Coven because they live over a league from the
Covenstead, or are about to do so. Anyone living within the Covendom
wishing to form a new Coven, to avoid strife, shall tell the Elders of
his intention and on the instant void his dwelling and remove to the new
Covendom. Members of the old Coven may join the New one when it be
formed, but if they do, must utterly void the old Coven. The Elders of
the New and the Old Covens should meet in peace and brotherly love, to
decide the new boundaries. Those of the Craft who dwell outside both
Covendoms may join either indifferent, but not both, though all may, if
the Elders [75] agree, meet for the Great Festivals, if it be truly in
peace and brotherly love. But splitting the coven oft means strife, so
for this reason these laws wer e made of old, And may the curse of the
Goddess be on any who disregard them. So be it aredan.

[E] If you would Keep a book let it be in your own hand of write. [80]
Let brothers and sisters copy what they will, but never let the book out
of your hands, and never keep the writings of another, for if it be
found in their hand of write, they well may be taken and Engined. Each
should guard his own writings and destroy it whenever danger threatens.
Learn as much as you may by heart, and when danger is [85] past, rewrite
your book an it be safe. For this reason, if any die, destroy their book
if they hav e not been able to, for an it be found, 'tis clear proof
against them, And our oppressors well know, "Ye may not be a witch
alone" So all their kin and friends be in danger of torture. So ever
destroy anything not necessary. [90] If your book be found on you. 'tis
clear proof against you alone. You may be engined. Keep all thoughts
of the Craft from your mind. Say you had bad dreams; a devil caused you
to write it without your knowledge. Think to yourself, "I know nothing.
I remember nothing. I have forgotten everything." Drive this [95] into
your mind. If the torture be too great to bear, say, "I will confess.
I cannot bear this torture. What do you want me to say? Tell me and I
will say it." If they try to make yo u speak of the brotherhood, Do
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NOT, but if they try to make you speak of [100] impossibilities, such as
flying through the air, consorting with the Christian Devil, or
sacrificing children, or eating men's flesh, to obtain relief from
torture, say, "I had an evil dream. I was not myself. I was crazed."
Not all Magistrates are bad. If there [105] be an excuse they may show
mercy. If you have confessed aught, deny it afterwards; say you babbled
under torture, you knew not what you did or said. If you are condemned,
fear not. The Brotherhood is powerful. They may help you to escape, if
you stand steadfast, but if you betray aught, there is no hope for you,
in this [110] life, or in that which is to come. Be sure, if steadfast
you go to the pyre, Dwale will reach you. You will feel naught. You go
but t o Death and what lies beyond, the ecstasy of the Goddess.
[F] 'Tis probable that before you are engined, Dwale will reach you.
[115] Always remember that Christians fear much that any die under
torture. At the first sign of swoon, they cause it to be stopped, and
blame the tormenters. For that reason, the tormenters themselves are
apt to feign to torment, but do not, so it is best not to die at first.
If Dwale reaches you, 'tis a sign that you have a friend somewhere.
[120] You may be helped to escape, so despair not. If the worst comes,
and you go to the pyre, wait till the flames and smoke spring up, bend
your head over, and breath in with long breaths. You choke and die
swiftly, and wake in the arms of the Goddess.
[G] To void discovery, let the working tools [125] be as ordinary things
that any may have in their houses. Let the Pentacles be of wax, so they
may be broken at once. Have no sword unless your rank allows you one.
Have no names or signs on anything. Write the names and signs on them
in ink before consecrating them and wash it off immediately after. Do
not Bigrave them, [130] lest they cause discovery. Let the colour of
the hilts tell which is which.
[H] Ever remember, ye are the Hidden Children of the Gods. So never do
anything to disgrace them. Never boast, Never threaten, Never say you
would wish ill to anyone. If you or any not in the Circle speak of the
Craft, [135] say, "Speak not to me of such. It frightens me. 'Tis evil
luck to speak of it." For this reason: the Christians have spies
everywhere. These speak as if they were well affected, as if they would
come to Meetings, saying, "My mother used to go to worship the Old Ones.
I would that I could go myself."* To these ever deny all knowledge.
[140] But to others ever say, "'Tis foolish men talk of witches flying
through the air; to do so they must be light as thistledown," and "Men
say that witches all be bleared-eyed old crones, so what pleasure can
there be in witch meetings such as folk talk on?" Say, "Many wise men
now say there be no such creatures." Ever [145] make it a jest, and in
some future time, perhaps the persecution will die, and we may worship
safely again. Let us all pray for that happy day.
[I] May the blessings of the Goddess and the God be on all who keep
these laws which are Aredan.
[J] If the Craft hath any Appanage, let all brothers guard it, and help
to keep it clear and good for the Craft, and let all justly guard all
monies of the Craft. But if some brothers truly wrought it, 'tis right
that they have their pay, an it be just, an this be not taking [5] money
for the use of the Art, but for good and honest work. And even the
Christians say, "A labourer is worthy of his hire." But if any brothers
work willingly for the good of the craft without pay, 'tis but to their
greater honour. So it be Aredan.
[K] If there be any disputes or quarrels among the brethren, the [10]
High Priestess shall straight convene the Elders and enquire into the
matter, and they shall hear both sides, first alone, then together, and
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they shall decide justly, not favouring the one side or the other, ever
recognizing that there be people who can never agree to work under
others, but at the same time there be some people who [15] cannot rule
justly. To those who ever must be chief, there is one answer, "Void the
Coven and seek an other, or make a Coven of your own, taking with you
those who will to go." To those who cannot rule justly, the answer be,
"Those who cannot bear your rule will leave you," for none may come to
meetings with those with whom they are at [20] variance; so, an either
cannot agree, get hence, for the Craft must ever survive. So it be
Aredan.
[L] In the olden days when we had power, we could use our Arts against any who
ill-treated any of the Brotherhood, but in these evil times, we may not do so, for
our enemies have devised a burning [25] pit of everlasting fire, into which they say
their God casteth all the people who worship him, except it be the very few who are
released by their priests' spells and Masses, and this be chiefly by giving money
and rich gifts to receive his favour, for their Alther Greatest God [Greatest God of
all] is ever i
n need of Money. [30] But as our Gods need our aid to make fertility for men and
crops, So the God of the Christians is ever in need of man's help to search out and
destroy us.
Their priests tell them that any who get our help or our cures are damned to the
Hell forever, so men be mad for the terror of it. But they make men [35] believe
that they may scape this hell if they give victims to the tormenters. So for this
reason all be forever spying, thinking, "An I can but catch one of the Wicca I will
scape this fiery pit." But we have our hidels, and men searching long and not
finding say, "there be none, or if they be, they be in a far country."
[40] But when one of our oppressors die, or even be sick, ever is the cry, "This be
Witches Malice," and the hunt is up again. And though they slay ten of their people
to one of ours, still they care not; they have many thousands, while we are few
indeed. So it is Aredan that none shall use the Art in any way to do ill [45] to
any, howevermuch they have injured us. And for long we have obeyed this law, "Harm
none" and nowtimes many believe we exist not. So it be Aredan that this law shall
still continue
to help us in our plight. No one, however great an injury or injustice they
receive, may use the Art in any to do ill or harm any. [50] But they may, after
great consultations with all, use the Art to prevent or restrain Christians from
harming us and others, but only to let or constrain them and never to punish, to
this end. Men say, "Such an one is a mighty searcher out and persecutor of Old
Women whom he deemeth to be Witches, [55] and none hath done him Skith [harm], so
this be proof they cannot, o
r more truly, that there be none," For all know full well that so many folk have
died because someone had a grudge against them, or were persecuted because they had
money or goods to seize, or because they had none to bribe the searchers. And many
have died [60] because they were scolding old women, so much so that men now say
that only old women are witches, and this be to our advantage, and turns suspicion
away from us.
In England 'tis now many a year since a witch hath died the death,
but any misuse of the power might raise the Persecution again; so never break this
law, [65] however much you are tempted, and never consent to its being broken. If
you know it is being broken in the least, you must work strongly against it, and any
High Priestess or High Priest who consents to it must be immediately deposed, for
'tis the blood of the Brethren they endanger. Do good, an it be safe, and only if
[70] it be safe, for any talk may endanger us.

[M] And strictly keep to the Old Law, never accept money for the use of
the art. It is Christian priests and sorcerers who accept money for the
use of their Arts, and they sell Dwale and evil love spells and pardons
to let men scape from their sins. [75] Be not as these. Be not as these.
If you accept not money, you will be free of temptation to use the Art
for evil causes.

[N] You may use the Art for your own advantage, or for the advantage of
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the Craft, only if you be sure you harm none. But ever let the Coven
debate the matter at length. Only if all are satisfied that none may be
harmed [80] may the Art be used. If it is not possible to achieve your
ends one way without harming any, perchance the aim may be achieved by
acting in a different way, so as to harm none. May the Curse of the
Goddess be on any who breach this law. So it be aredan.
[O] 'Tis adjudged lawful an anyone need a house or land, an none will
[85] sell, to incline the owner's mind to be willing to sell, provided
it harmeth him not in any way, and that the full worth is paid, without
haggling. Never bargain or cheapen anything which you buy by the Art.
So it be Aredan.
[P] It is the Old Law and the most important of all Laws [90] that no
one may do or say anything which will endanger any of the Craft, or
bring them in contact with the law of the land, or the Law of the Church
or any of our persecutors. In any disputes between the brethren, no one
may invoke any laws but those of the Craft, or any Tribunal but that of
the Priestess and the Priest and the [95] Elders. And may the Curse of
the Goddess be on any who so do. So it be Aredan.
[Q] It is not forbidden to say as Christians do, "There be Witchcraft in
the Land," because our oppressors of old made it Heresy not to believe
in Witchcraft, and so a crime to deny it, which thereby put [100] you
under suspicion. But ever say "I know not of it here, perchance they
may be, but afar off. I know not where." But ever speak so you cause
others to doubt they be as they are. Always speak of them as old
crones, consorting with the Devil and riding through the air. But ever
say, "But how may men ride through the air an they be not [105] as light
as thistledown?" But the curse of the Goddess be on any who cast any
suspicion on any of the Brotherhood, or speaks of any real meeting
place, or where any bide. So it be Aredan. [R] Let the Craft keep books
with the names of all Herbs which are good for man, and all cures, that
all may learn. But keep [110] another book with all the Banes [poisons]
and Apies. and let only the elders and trustworthy people have this
knowledge. So it be Aredan. [S] And may the Blessings of the Gods be on
all who keep these Laws and the Curses of both God and Goddess be on all
who break them So it be Aredan. [The following two sections were added
after 1960.] [T] Remember the Art is the secret of the Gods and may only
be used in earnest and never for show or vainglory. Magicians and
Christians may taunt us, saying, "You have no power. Do magic before
our eyes. Then only will we believe," seeking to cause us to betray our
Art before them. Heed them not, for the Art is holy, and may only be
used in need. And the curse of the Gods be on any who break this law.
[U] It ever be the way with women, and with men also, that they ever
seek new love, nor should we reprove them for this, but it may be found
to disadvantage the Craft, as so many a time it has happened that a High
Priest or High Priestess, impelled by love, hath departed with their
love; that is, they have left the coven. Now, if a High Priestess
wishes to resign, she may do so in full Coven, and this resignation is
valid. But if they should run off without resigning, who may know if
they may not return w ithin a few months? So the law is, if a High
Priestess leaves her coven, but returns within the space of a year and a
day, then she shall be taken back, and all shall be as before.
Meanwhile, if she has a deputy, that deputy shall act as High Priestess
for as long as the High Priestess is away. If she returns not at the
end of a year and a day, then shall the coven elect a new High
Priestess. Unless there be a good reason to the contrary. The person
who has done the work should re ap the benefit of the reward, Maiden
and deputy of the High Priestess.
D.2. The Verse Charge (1961)

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I the Mother, darksome and divine,
Say to thee, Oh children mine
(All ye assembled at mine Shrine),
Mine the scourge and mine the kiss
The five-point star of love and bliss
Here I charge ye in this sign. (Assume Goddess position.)
All ye assembled here tonight
Bow before my spirit bright
Aphrodite, Arianrhod, Lover of the Horned God,
Mighty Queen of Witchery and night
Astarte, Hecate, Ashtaroth, Dione,
(Morrigan, Etain, Nisene),
Diana, Brigid, Melusine,
Am I named of old by men, Artemis and Cerridwen,
Hell's dark mistress, Heaven's Queen.
(Whene'er trouble comes anoon)
All who would learn of me a Rune
Or would ask of me a boon, Meet ye in some secret glade
Dance my round in greenwood shade,
by the light of the full moon.
(In a place wild and lone)
With the comrades alone
Dance about my altar stone.
Work my holy Magistry,Ye who are fain of sorcery,
I bring ye secrets yet unknown.

(Whate'er troubles come to thee),

No more shall ye know slavery
Who give due worship unto me,
Who tread my round on Sabbat-night. Come ye all naked to the rite,
In token ye be truly free.
I teach the mystery of rebirth,
Keep ye my mysteries in mirth
Heart joined to heart, and lip to lip,
Five are the points of fellowship
That bring ye ecstasy on Earth.
I ask no offerings, do but bow,
No other law but love I know,
By naught but love I may be known,
All that liveth is mine own
From me they come, to me they go.
D.3. Casting and Charging (1961)
[1] Forming Circle. Light candles.
1. Draw Circle with Magic Sword or Athame.
2. Sprinkle with consecrated water.
3. Cense.
4. Say, "I conjure thee, O Circle of Power, that thou be a Boundary and
a Protection and a meeting place between the world of men and the realms
of the Mighty Ones, A Guardian and a Protection that shall preserve and
contain the Power which we shall raise within thee, Wherefore do I Bless
and Consecrate thee."
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5. Say "I summon, Stir, and Call Thee up, Ye Mighty Ones of the (East,
South, West, North) To witness the Rites and to guard the Circle."
[2] Closing Circle.
Say, "Mighty Ones of the (East, South, West, North), I thank you for
attending, and ere you depart for your lovely realms, I say Hail and
Farewell."
[3] Consecration of Water and Salt.
Touch water with Athame, saying, "I exorcise thee, O Creature of Water,
that thou cast out from thee all the impurities and uncleannesses of the
spirits of the World of Phantasm, In the names of Aradia and Cernunnos."
Touching Salt with Athame, say, "Blessings be upon this creature of
Salt. Let all malignity and hindrance be cast forth hencefrom and let
all good enter herein. Wherefore I bless thee that thou mayest aid me,
In the names of Aradia and Cernunnos."
[4] Drawing Down the Moon.
"I invoke Thee and call upon Thee, Oh Mighty Mother of us All, Bringer
of all Fruitfulness. By Seed and Root, by Stem and Bud, by Leaf and
Flower and Fruit, by Life and Love, Do We invoke Thee to descend upon
the body of Thy servant and Priestess (name)."
High Priest and other men give Fivefold Kiss. Women all bow.

D.4. Forming the Circle. (1961)

FORMING THE CIRCLE.
[1] Must have a man and a woman, properly prepared, i.e., naked.
[2] Mark a circle nine feet across on the floor with chalk, etc. The
best way is to get a string. Tie 2 loops four foot, six inches apart.
Put one loop over a nail or something in the center. Put chalk in the
other and run it round. If you can't make marks on the floor, put
furniture, etc., round to form it. Have a table, etc., as an Altar,
with all tools, etc., on it. Have a bowl of water, and some salt.
[3] Place Athame on the bowl of water. Say, "I exorcise thee, O
creature of Water, that thou cast out from Thee all the impurities and
uncleannesses of the Spirits of the World of Phantasm in the name of
Aradia and Cernunnos. But ever mind that Water purifies the body, but
the scourge purifies the soul."
[4] Then place Athame on the salt. Say, "Blessings be upon this
creature of Salt. Let all malignity and hindrance be cast forth
hencefrom, and let all good enter herein. Wherefore I bless thee that
thou mayest aid me, in the name of Aradia and Cernunnos.
[5] Then trace Circle on the lines you have marked out, starting at the
East and returning to the East. (Always go round the circle with your
Right hand to the Altar. Never go Widdershins.) Then put the Salt
into the water. and go round the circle again, sprinkling it to purify
it. Then go round again censing it. (Everyone in the circle must be
sprinkled and censed.)
[6] Then go to the East, Sword or Athame in hand. Draw an invoking
pentacle in the Air, starting at the top and going to the lefthand
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corner, saying, "I summon, and call thee up, O Ye Mighty ones of the
East, to guard the Circle and witness our rites." Then holding the
point of sword or Athame upwards, do the same to the south, west, and
north, and return to the center, to the south of the Altar.

[7] Then each girl should bind her man, hands behind back and cable Tow
to neck. He should kneel at altar, and be scourged. When all men are
thus "purified," they purify the girls in turn. No one may be in the
circle without being thus purified.

[8] Then do whatever work wanted.

[9] When closing the Circle, the High Priestess, or whoever she tells to
do it, saying, "Hail, ye mighty ones of the East. I thank you for
attending, and ere ye depart for your lovely realms, We say, Hail and
Farewell."

Bibliography

These are books you should read in order to see the sources Gardner used
to create these rituals.

Crowley, Aleister. Magick in Theory and Practice. Castle, n.d. [ca.

1930]

Gardner, Gerald B. High Magic's Aid. Michael Houghton, 1949.

------. Witchcraft Today. Jarrolds, 1954.

------. The Meaning of Witchcraft. Aquarian Press, 1959.

Glanvil, Joseph, and Henry More. Saducismus Triumphatus: or, Full and
Plain Evidence Concerning Witches and Apparitions. London: Lowndes, 3d
ed., 1689. Scholar's Facsimiles, 1966. One of Murray's major sources
of information.

Leland, Charles Godfrey. Aradia: The Gospel of the Witches of Tuscany.

Scribner's, 1897. Buckland Museum reprint, 1964.

Mathers, S. L. MacGregor, ed. and trans. The Greater Key of Solomon.

De Laurence, Scott, 1914.

Murray, Margaret A. The Witch-Cult in Western Europe. Oxford

University Press, 1921. Oxford paperback, 1962.

------. The God of the Witches. Oxford University Press, 1934.

Doubleday Anchor, 1960.

Regardie, Israel. The Golden Dawn: An Account of the Teachings, Rites,

and Ceremonies of the Order of the Golden Dawn. 1937-1940. Hazel
Hills, 2d ed., 1969.

* Gardner appended this paragraph to the Craft Laws in the early 1960s.
* Gardner appended this paragraph to the Craft Laws in the early 1960s.
* These are shown by a drawing to be: genitals, left foot, right knee,
left knee, right foot, and back to genitals.

* My Lady Epona points out that this is precisely what Charles Cardell
had claimed; that is, this paragraph is a response to Cardell, and so it
was probably inserted into the Craft Laws after the run-in with the
Cardells and Olive Green in 1959. This again is an indication that
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Gardner did not promulgate the Craft Laws as a document for the Book of
Shadows until about 1960, when Mr. Q was initiated.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Classification: IT.IV.C.2.e
Title: Symbolism
Author: Grand Master of the Order of Shuti
Temple of Set
Date: December, XXIV
Published: Dialogues I.3
(The section on "Neters" was published in
issue I.4)
Subject: Symbolism
Reading List: 2L, 2V
[copyright 1989, Temple of Set. Permission for electronic
distribution by echo and on PODS has been given by the author.
No not copy or distribute further without permission of the
author or the Temple of Set.]

The first session of the year-XXIV Order of Shuti Workshop

discussed symbolism.

While the study of symbolism itself is not a primary concern of the

Order of Shuti, several of the Order's activities do involve
working with forms of symbolism, or are discussed using various
symbols.

The symbols of the twin lion gods, Shu and Tefnut, who together are
Shuti, are obviously of importance in understanding the activities
of the Order. The topic of symbolism was therefore chosen for the
introductory session of the workshop.

Application

In discussing this session and what would be discussed, the Grand

Master stressed that symbolism wasn't to be discussed simply as an
intellectual exercise, but that all participants should try to
apply the Setian yardstick of "application" to this discussion.
Each and every topic of this session (and all sessions in the
workshop) should be measured by the questions of a) Can it be
applied? b) Is it useful? c) Does it work?

What is symbolism?

One answer suggested by workshop participants is that symbolism is

a language of the unconscious.

It is a dynamic language in which one image, a single symbol, can

conjure up archetypical impressions, complex or complete concepts
and/or meanings, rather than being a structured language in which
many words and/or several sentences are needed to put together an
equivalent concept or meaning.

Another purpose of symbolism offered by the participants is to

serve as a metalanguage which has two levels or multiple levels of
meaning.

Each symbol or set of symbols can have one meaning to the

initiated, and another meaning to the uninitiated. That symbol or
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set of symbols could also have /different/ meanings to the
initiated, depending upon how the symbols are communicated, and how
they are mixed with other symbols. A statement in a symbolic
language could even have multiple meanings communicated at the same
time to the same person.
A lot of the symbols Setians use in our writings are like that.
When we read through the _Scroll of Set_ or the jewelled Tablets,
those of us who have been using the language of the Temple of Set
for a while will see certain words, and will know just from the way
the words are used that the author is writing symbolically as well
as grammatically, and he therefore means "this type of thing".
This symbolic use of language lets us add meaning to an article
without adding substantially to the size of that article.
Those who haven't been in the Temple of Set long enough to pick up
on that symbolic use of language will miss almost all of that
meaning on their first reading.
This is one of the reasons why we all find it useful to reread past
issues of the _Scroll_ and to reread Tablet articles. It enables
us to read meaning in an article that we may have missed on an
earlier reading.
It sometimes happens that "unintended" meaning is found in an
article during such a rereading.
Even though the author may not have consciously intended to convey
a certain meaning, that author's Higher Self may have influenced
the writing in such a way as to symbolically give a specific
message in the writing. These messages remain hidden except for
those who can perceive and understand them.
On the other side of the scale, if our writings are read by someone
totally unfamiliar with occult symbolism, then the message can be
totally lost, and the reader may never see it.
Symbolism can be visual (examples are the Pentagram of Set,
pictures of the Egyptian Neters, etc), and verbal (the closing we
use on our letters, "Xeper and Remanifest", is a statement and
reminder of our dedication to this Formula, a way of developing and
keeping the habit of Xeper and Remanifestation going strong).
Each Word itself is a symbol (Xeper, Indulgence, Thelema, etc.),
as is each Neter (Shu, Tefnut, Sekhmet, Bast). A lot of principles
can be used as symbols which have more meaning to the initiated
than they do to those who just read about them in a dictionary.
Visual and verbal/written symbols involve just one of our senses
(sight). If you include verbal/spoken symbols, we then involve a
second sense (hearing). We then asked the question, "Are there
symbols which are perceived and communicated through each of our
other senses?"
The first examples offered by workshop participants were incense
and music: Incense can bring about different emotions and responses
through the sense of smell. Music can bring about different
responses through the sense of hearing, in ways totally different
than the verbal symbols do (the difference between right brained
behavior and left brained behavior).
Where does symbolism come from?
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When dealing with incense and music, we are leaving the mental
processes and intellectual reactions that visual symbols will
evoke, and going instead to the more reactive, bodily, reactions.

We react to the smell of bodily feces with distaste because of the

body's reaction to that sort of an input. We find the fragrance
of a rose very pleasing.
One of the reasons we use fragrant incenses during a ritual is to
bring about bodily reactions which enhance a ceremony because of
the smells and our reactions to the smells.
The discussion of one question leads to another. We learn the
reactions / interpretations / meanings of visual and verbal symbols
(at least those discussed above). Do we also learn reactions to
incenses and music, or are those reactions more innate?
The first response was that our reactions and interpretations, even
our likes and dislikes of music are learned.
The example given was classical music, which strikes some people
as very soothing and relaxing, and which is likely to put these
people to sleep. But others who are aware of the intelligent
dynamics and many other ingredients of classical music will find
the same music very stimulating.
(We believe that the workshop participant was thinking about the
lighter classical pieces, such as "Tales from the Vienna Woods,"
and not the more active pieces such as "Night on Bald Mountain.")
The second response disagreed with the first, pointing out that
regardless of whether they are used in classical, modern, or any
other form of music, harps and strings tend to evoke emotional
(peaceful) moods, while drums are more primal and physical, evoking
more active responses.
The next example we discussed referred to the sense of smell. To
a farmer, feces and fertilizer are pleasing and filled with
promise, a smell of promised growth and life, a totally different
reaction than most people will have (especially after scraping a
dog's refuse off the bottom of one's shoe).
Similarly, an inlander's first pleasant reaction to sea gulls on
wing, grace in motion, can be compared to the reaction of those who
live on the beach and have to live with the noise and the mess and
the droppings left behind by those very same sea gulls.
These examples tend to support the theory that we learn our
interpretations of the sounds and smells around us.
It seems from these examples that our reactions to inputs are
learned, or at least they arise from our experiences. The question
then becomes, can symbols have innate visceral responses, or is the
response to a symbol necessarily a learned one?
To look at innate responses, the original responses to stimuli, we
necessarily looked at children.
For instance, children generally have no innate response to feces,
and will often eat them until they learn not to. They later learn
to either react with disgust to feces, or to view them as
fertilizer and the source of life.
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The first example of a possibly innate response brought to the
discussion was that of the ephemeral beauty of a butterfly on the
wing. None of the participants could envision any child's reaction
other than awe and delight at such beauty (or at least none would
admit to any other vision).
This brought forth remarks concerning innate childish "awe", where
almost everything is new and wonderful.
Children as they begin to distinguish between the multiple events
and objects in their world are simply delighted at the beauty and
diversity they find around them. There is no "evil" during this
time -- only the beauty of nature.
Few of us have any reason to unlearn this initial response to the
butterfly. These reactions can therefore be considered innate,
stemming from the earliest days of our consciousness. Other
reactions, unpleasant reactions and also more complex reactions,
seem to be learned over time.
Therefore, there's some of both types of reactions. People will
have initial reactions to many meaningful symbols and inputs, but
their reactions can be modified by their experience and training.

This discussion raised yet more questions, for which no answers

were attempted during this workshop. The questions were, how much
of our symbolism is learned, and how much of our symbolism is
innate? And if some form of consciousness or memory can survive
from one life to another, then how much might be remembered from
past lives?
Symbols may or may not come to one's attention. An extremely
visually-oriented person may not notice or respond to other types
of symbols, such as a room's smell, or a background level of music,
while those who are oriented towards those senses will respond to
those inputs, but perhaps not to others.
Symbolism may have personal and/or experiential meaning (such as
the manure used to plant your garden or that you step in), or
symbolism may be abstract (learned and used in writing, teaching,
or jewelry, but not something that's impacted upon you in the
past). This is the difference between a) the visceral response,
which may be innate and may also be a learned response, modified
through experience or training, and b) the mental response which
must always be learned or developed.
The Grand Master wishes to note that the discussion at this point
had unintentionally left the strict topic of symbolism, and was
dealing instead with experience and reaction to stimuli, on the
unspoken assumption that these reactions applied to our use of
symbolism.
We feel this to be a valid assumption, since the pleasant reaction
we have to a butterfly or to a unicorn extends to and impacts our
use of those images as symbols. Those with differing reactions to
sea gulls as described above would similarly have different
reactions to Johnathon Livingston Seagull's story.
Also, by concentrating on experience and reaction rather than
symbolism, we temporarily lost sight of the most important measure
of symbolism -- that of meaning.

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Yes, music has impact, but that music is symbol only if its impact
includes meaning, such as the sense of freedom and power that
accompanies the visual image of the "Flight of the Valkyries" and
similar images of meaning those who are familiar with the movie
will get from various pieces in the sound track from 2001.
Likewise incense is symbol only if its impact includes meaning.
That meaning may be supplied by the smell, or that meaning may be
supplied by knowledge of the ingredients within the incense.
Meaning may also be supplied by the words used during the censing
of the chambre. Without some meaning, incense is not symbol, but
only smell.
Closely related to the sense of smell is the sense of taste, and
it's fairly easy to see that certain tastes can have meaning as
well.
During Passover Seder, a ritual meal of thanksgiving and freedom
(celebrating the Exodus), Jews will dip greens into salt water and
eat the salty greens, to remind them of tears shed by the Jews in
bondage. They will eat bitter herbs to remind them of the
bitterness of slavery.
Likewise, there can be kinesthetic symbols as well.
We feel different when we hold a sword in ritual as opposed to when
we hold a dagger. We feel different when we are standing up than
we feel when we are sitting down, and different still when we are
kneeling or laying down. We feel different in charged rooms, dry
rooms, wet rooms, hot rooms, cold rooms, still rooms, breezy rooms.
Uncontrolled, these latter experiences are just stimuli.
Controlled and used meaningfully, these latter experiences can be
symbols, manipulated and understood as such.
How should symbolism be used?
The first obvious use of symbolism is in the communication of
ideas, whether written, spoken, or communicated through one or more
other senses.
Based on the idea that a single symbol can have a whole galaxy of
meaning, a useful communications skill is the ability to use
symbols in the proper places, in the proper ways, to communicate
more meaning in a smaller package (with fewer words).
Perhaps of greatest importance within the Temple of Set are the
magical aeonic Words: Xeper, Remanifestation, and Xem, and the
preceding Words of Indulgence and Thelema. By using these Words
in writing or other forms of communication, we communicate the
meanings associated with those Words.
If I say the word "Xeper" to an initiate, it means something
totally different than it would mean to someone off the street, and
it means something totally different to a Setian than it would mean
to an Egyptologist who /thinks/ he knows the Egyptian god Xepera.
Our use of the Word is quite different and the symbol carries so
much more meaning than just the word "Xeper" would carry in a
modern Egyptian dictionary.
This use of symbolism doesn't apply just to magical Words or
Formulae, but applies to symbols of many different kinds, in many
different uses.
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You'll sometimes find certain words capitalized in text, as are
"Words" and "Formulae" above. When not overly used, this is a
clear indication that the author wishes you to view these words
with their symbolic meanings, rather than their normal meanings.
During group ritual, certain words will be spoken more
flamboyantly, perhaps louder, perhaps longer, and often with more
gesturing. These words are then generally being used symbolically,
with special meaning at least to the speaker, if not to other
participants.
Symbolism can also be used in Lesser Black Magic, as tools to
influence certain people (singular or multiple) in certain ways.
The magician (or politician or religious leader or arts director
or other manipulator) will use lighting, music, fragrance, and
other symbols in ways particular to their audience's response to
the symbols.
Symbolism can be used upon ourselves in a similar manner, to bring
out responses from us that we want to bring out, as in ritual or
as an aid to Xeper.
Words which have become symbols to us can be used as a means of
increased concentration, as a visual mantra or as a sensual mantra.
Such mantras can be used in ritual, in nonritual meditation, or
whenever we choose to remind ourselves of the principles carried
within that symbol.
Over time, some symbols can become richer and can carry more and
more meaning to those people who work with the symbol.
These symbols can become "magnetic", in that each use of the symbol
brings forth yet another repetition of the symbol. Each reference
brings forth a constellation of meaning, with one meaning and use
leading to another. Each use of the symbol sparks, or attracts,
another use of the symbol.
In these cases the symbols will often be repeated over and over
throughout a conversation or other communication, each time
exercising one or more of those meanings, and through the course
of the communication this symbol can almost hold or reflect an
entire world view. This is the way the people influenced by the
symbol see their world.
At a political rally the symbol might be "America", "Democracy",
or "the Party" (citizens of other countries may substitute those
symbols meaningful in your domain). To some, the symbol might be
"the Environment".
The symbol "Xeper" has a similar impact within the Setian culture.
Group consensus is important for communication through symbols.
Different groups can have differing uses of symbols, and attempts
to communicate between these groups using the symbols particular
to one group (or those symbols which are viewed differently by
different groups) can result in confusion or worse.
Because Setians come from such diverse backgrounds, we have various
communication problems related to these diverse backgrounds.
Members from the O.T.O. may know all of the Qabalic
correspondences, while members from the Wiccan background couldn't
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care less about the Qabalic attributions, and have correspondences
which are totally different. Numerologists apply different
meanings to their numbers than do the Qabalists. And all of these
symbolic systems work.

But very, very few of them work for all Setians.

Qabalists within the Temple of Set who write articles and/or

letters steeped in Qabalic symbolism find that very few others care
enough about their symbols to wade through the text. Those from
other backgrounds with intensive use of symbols similarly find
difficulty communicating within the Temple of Set, since our
symbolic vocabulary is so much less cohesive.

This lack of similarity in symbolism affects not only written

communication, but also ritual activity.

Each pylon seems to develop its own pattern of symbolism, and

inter-pylon rituals can at times be very difficult. Fitting many
diverse magicians with their diverse backgrounds into one
meaningful ceremony can be a challenge, a challenge faced at each
Conclave, and at each activity like the Order of Shuti Workshop.
Language of the Unconscious?{fn 1}

The first question asked by the Grand Master was, "What is

symbolism?" The first answer received was, "A language of the
unconscious."

Parts of the workshop's discussion might seem to support this

definition, while others contradict it. So let the Grand Master
speak:

Symbols have many attributes. Among the more important of these

attributes is their ability to cause reaction in their audience,
visceral if not innate reactions, as discussed above.
Elizabeth S. Helfman, in her book _Signs and Symbols around the
World_, defines symbol as being: "anything that stands for
something else."

Look in your dictionary. Mine includes several definitions of

symbol and symbolism, including:

>> Symbol: 2: something that stands for or suggests something

else by reason of relationship, association, convention, or accidental
resemblance. 5: an act, sound, or object having cultural significance and the
capacity to excite or objectify a response.

>> Symbolism: 1: the art or practice of using symols esp. by investing things with a
symbolic meaning or by expressing the invisible or intangible by means of visible or
sensuous representations; as a: the use of conventional or traditional signs in the
representation of divine beings and spirits, b: artistic imitation or invention that
is a method of revealing or suggesting immaterial, ideal, or otherwise intangible
truth or states. 2: a system of symbols or representations.
Symbolism is an art, a practice, something which is done. It is used to communicate
meaning. It is a language.

Our visceral responses to symbolism may be unconscious, but if

that's all there is, then have we received and/or responded to
meaning?

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The transmission and communication of *Meaning* requires some
form of consciousness.
Let's use the word /Awake/ to mean the highest form of consciousness. Remember --
the capital letter indicates I'm using a symbol; Setian use of this specific symbol
(Awake) most often refers to Ouspenski's heightened state of consciousness and
awareness, a state of being totally awake.
For simplicity, let's assign a whole range of various levels of conscious awareness
to the name "conscious". This name can apply to heightened states of consciousness
which those we would call Awake, those that barely miss being Awake, down to the
almost somnabulent states in which most of mankind spends their day.
Finally, I would call the preconscious state one of consciousness in this case, a
state in which meaning can be received, interpreted, and acted upon, without the
individual being "consiously" aware that this has happened. But if the individual's
attention is brought to the subject, then the symbol and its meaning can be recalled
and the process repeated without any difficulty.
If symbols are generated and communicated, if they are transmitted
and received, in one of these three states, then I believe we can
correctly talk about symbolism, about language.
However, if the generation and/or reception of the symbol is unconscious, and/or
totally unintended, then I propose that that instance is not an example of
symbolism, not language or communication, but rather the accidental generation of
and/or visceral response to sensory input.
[Now let us return to the discussion as it took place in the
workshop...]
Planetary Symbol System?
We know there are differences in the meanings of many symbols.
"Patriotism" can be exceedingly important to a Republican and
also to a Libertarian, but the meanings that this symbol will have can
be quite different in many ways.
This leads us to ask the question of whether there might perhaps be a "planetary
symbol system" in which some symbols at least can be found commonly used in many or
all cultures.
The cross, square, circle, and most or all simple symbols have been
found in use all over the earth. We therefore can ask whether their meanings are
similar, or are the symbols used simply because they are simple geometric figures,
but with meanings arbitrarily assigned by the individual cultures?
One participant brought forth Ouspenski's example that "Table" has a function, an
innate form or essence, which can be perceived beyond words, and beyond a learned
experience.
"Table" provokes an image, feeling, or essence that is evoked through a willed
perception that extends beyond the actual set of tables that a person may have ever
experienced.
Ouspenski claims that at a certain state of consciousness the Aware
individual can see this deeper meaning or essence, and that this deeper meaning or
essence can be commonly perceived by all who reach this level of consciousness.
Similar ideas were offered by Plato, and the concept of Platonic Forms is very
prevalent throughout the Setian use of symbolism. We often speak of the Egyptian
Neters as being Forms, the original or specific essence of an Ideal.

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This is certainly an area that needs deeper investigation. The workshop session
discussion however left the topic of abstract Forms, and instead investigated the
historic use of symbols in various cultures.
Looking first at the more complex god forms, it seems each major
culture has a "trickster" god: Coyote fills this niche in several
Amerindian cultures, Loki in the Norse mythos, and Thoth (Hermes
and Mercury) in the Egyptian (Greek and Roman) mythologies.
The Trickster is that Spirit who makes you Think. He is the Spirit
who is unpredictable in his actions or reactions, who gets himself
and everyone else into trouble. In the process of doing so -- most
often after everyone is already in trouble -- he makes people
Think, and in the end he generally gets everyone out of trouble by
thinking.
To represent the Trickster, each culture used that type of symbol
or god form which for them was most appropriate for that type of
character.
The coyote is a fairly independent and hard to track animal in
America, requiring more than the usual amount of intelligence and
stealth to catch. Monkeys similarly were appreciated for their
seeming intelligence and playfulness, and so Egyptians assigned the
Trickster attribute and the monkey's form to Thoth.
The question becomes ... is this type of being, this symbol,
something which is universal, cross-cultural, or is it something
which happens in just a few cases, and many other societies never
had any use for it?
Jung was exploring this area. He defined specific symbols which
he felt were common to many or all cultures. They were fairly
common within his culture and Jung did manage to validate them with
some cross-cultural study.
We still need to ask how complete his studies were, how extensive
and wide spread.
Given people in extremely different environments, such as the
Eskimo, Hawaiian, Indian, Tibetan, etc., cultures where the people
have many different experiences, totally different social and
physical environments, it can be expected that these people would
have very different reactions to the symbols that Jung thought he
had commonality on.
Jung's _Man and his Symbol_ was recommended by one participant as
containing documentation on his cross-cultural studies in this
area.
Not having access to any resource materials that would answer our
questions at the time, the workshop session then proceeded into the
topic of Egyptian Neters and the use of Neters in symbolism.
Neters
The Workshop discussion of Egyptian Neters started with a brief
discussion of the Egyptian languages.
The ancient Egyptians used three different written languages, the
hieroglyphic, hieratic, and demotic.
The demotic language was a mostly alphabetic language used for
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common communications among those who could read and write. Its
primary uses were for social and business reasons.
The hieratic language was a pictographic language related to the
hieroglyphic, but in which the pictographs were abbreviated and
simplified to speed writing. It was used for important state
documents and many later religious texts.
The hieroglyphic language was the most ornate of the three
languages, the most ancient of the three languages, and the most
symbolic. It was used for the most important religious and
philosophical statements, and for the most important state
declarations.
Many of the symbols used to form the hieroglyphic language had
assigned sounds, and many others did not. In addition to the
sounds and symbols used to form words, the Egyptians used
determinatives, signs added to specifically identify each word.
Through the use of the determinative, it was impossible to mistake
one written word for another, even if verbal sounds were the same,
even if the letters used were the same.
This use of a purely symbolic, picture-oriented language encouraged
the ability in the learned ancient Egyptians to think with right
brained methods while doing the left brain activity of reading.
It also encouraged these educated and intelligent Egyptians to work
with symbols as they worked with language. They were able to
communicate ideas and ideals in a language particularly well suited
to this purpose.
Setians use the ancient Egyptian neters as symbols, representing
aspects of the world, or aspects of the individual. We feel this
is very close to the way the higher initiates of the ancient
Egyptian Temples, the priests of the Temples, and the smarter
pharaohs used and viewed their neters. The neters were concepts
that could be communicated to and shared among the initiated,
rather than being actual gods and goddesses.
The common man may very well have believed in the literal existence
of his many gods and goddesses, but we believe the elite of the
Egyptian society understood that these neters were purely symbols.
When the Egyptian elite paid homage to the neters, they paid homage
to the aspects of the universe or of the self represented by those
neters.
One neter of obvious importance is Set. In dealing with this
symbol, we try to identify the original meaning of the symbol, and
try to eliminate the corruptions of the symbol imposed by the later
rule of Osirian religion.
Rather than take space here to discuss the corruptions and
distortions that were applied to the symbol of the neter Set
through the Osirian culture, we'll simply refer the interested
student to appropriate books in the reading list: 2A, 2E, 2G, 2W,
and 2AA.
It is rather clear that the use and peripheral meanings of the
neter Set changed over time. The study of Set must therefore
include the careful consideration of the source of whatever
writings are being studied. Fortunately most other Egyptian
symbols/god forms did not change significantly over time, and such
care need not be used in studying and working with them.
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The neters were used and viewed as symbols. But the Egyptian
temples _were_ temples, and were recognized as religions, not
simply as centers of enlightened philosophy. This brings up the
question: Do/did the Egyptian Neters actually exist? Were these
religions founded to worship or work with beings that actually
existed? Or were they simply the creations of the ancient Egyptian
priesthoods?
Rather than tackle immediately the question of whether the Neters
actually existed, workshop participants first chose to examine ...
Egyptian Priesthoods
The first statement made about these priesthoods was that each
temple in Egypt taught a different area of philosophy or knowledge.
Those temples dedicated to a major neter or god taught that their
primal Form was the First Cause. These were the major temples of
the land, and an initiate who studied at temple after temple would
be presented with the opposing claims that each god was the god,
The Creator.
We noted in our discussion that the priesthoods of several of the
"minor" neters did not make any such claims. Thoth as a single
neter never seemed to be treated as the creator god; nor was Geb.
However, many of the major neters were treated as creator gods, and
many gods were intentionally combined into units (such as
Amon-Thoth-Ra) in order to form a god which would be powerful
enough to qualify as The creator god.
Neters as Symbols
We returned to discussing the neters as ways of viewing possibility
and potentiality, and ways of viewing different aspects of the
universe and of the individual.
For example, Ra, the sun god, was a most pervasive and powerful
being, since every single day, there he is in the sky. Ra was
consistent, reliable, and therefore powerful.
Similarly each force in nature was given a personality, because
each force in nature has a personality (or seems to, to those who
humanize such things). This is the basic principle behind most
spirits of most animistic religions.
These personalities are generally reliable. A rain cloud is going
to rain; it isn't going to add to the day's heat. The Nile was not
going to dry up -- it was going to overflow once a year, and
deposit good, rich, fertile earth upon the ground. Each force of
nature, each personality, was given a name, a face, and a story.
The most powerful stories, faces, and names are those that belong
to the creator gods. There are so many creator gods, that it's
really difficult to pin down an actual order of precedence.
This brings up the fact that there are many apparently conflicting
stories within the Egyptian mythology.
The Grand Master pointed out that in several Egyptian myths, Shu
and Tefnut are self-created. In others they were created by tears
of the master creator god (whoever he happened to be according to
the story teller). In yet others they were created by the master
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god's masturbation.
Shu and Tefnut by definition are the first male and female. The
master god's masturbation in these latter stories was always male
masturbation, but Shu is the first male. Shu and Tefnut begat Geb
and Nut, but Nut was the all-pervasive universal sky that preceded
the first god...
This confusion is the result of centuries of Egyptian story
telling, and while some of it appears to be contraditory, most of
it is useful. We certainly must hesitate to consider this
mythology as one consistent symbolism, and must be careful if we
wish to communicate consistent meanings using these symbols, but
we have found value in this mythology.
Each story is a different way of looking at the world, a different
way of looking at the first cause, and of looking at the symbols.
By using these symbols, we can then indicate not only a symbol, but
also which way we are looking at the world.
Hence, if in ritual or other communication we call upon
Ptah-Geb-Nu, we are calling upon the creator of the earth and sky,
the god who created the physical universe. If instead we call upon
the Neter Ra-Ptah-ankh, we are calling upon the god who brought
light and life to this planet.
Having discussed these differing views of the world as expressed
by the many symbolic neters, we felt that this was a good point
from which to launch into a discussion of one of the ways in which
we look at Neters.
Set, the prime source of intelligence and the ageless intelligence
himself, is a wee bit complex for someone a mere 20 or even 200
years old to understand, regardless of whether we look at Set as
an actually existing being or instead as a master symbol.
So rather than try to encompass all of Set, intellectually or
emotionally, rather than try to understand all of Set, we can work
with neters which are facets of Set's being, facets of Set's
symbolism. Each neter can be thought of as a specific element of
Set.
As examples, Shu is one set of symbolism, one set of ideas, that
an initiate can work with to "get somewhere" with, to accomplish
certain initiatory goals. Tefnut is another set of ideas, as is
Geb, Isis, etc.
Rather than trying to encompass and work with the entire universe
simultaneously, grab whatever you can hold onto, work with that
handful, study that symbol or symbols, and see what it leads to.
We had originally intended to discuss whether or not the Neters
might or might not exist in their own right. Having discussed the
above, it seemed somewhat unimportant as to whether the Neters
actually exist. That topic will be left for a later discussion.

Bibliography
While the following books and papers were not necessarily discussed
nor referenced during the workshop discussion (or in completing
this article), the initiate interested in studying symbolism as a
subject on its own would be well advised to begin with this
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bibliography. Additions to this bibliography are welcome, and
should be sent to the Grand Master. (_RT_ entries are from _The
Ruby Tablet of Set_.)
Barrett, Ronald K., "Book of Opening the Way (Key #4)". _RT_
IT.II.A.5.b.(1).(d).
Barrett, Ronald K., "Stele of Xem". _RT_ IT.II.A.4.a.(3).
Cavendish, Richard, _The Black Arts_. 4C (TS-3).
Crowley, Aleister, _The Book of Thoth_. 9L (TS-4).
De Lubicz, Isha Schwaller, _Her-Bak_. 2L (TS-1).
De Lubicz, Isha Schwaller, _Symbol and the Symbolique_. 2V (TS-4).
Fisher, Leonard Everett, _Symbol Art: Thirteen Squares, Circles,
and Triangles from Around the World_. NY: Four Winds Press,
MacMillan Publishing Company, 1985.
Helfman, Elizabeth S., _Signs and Symbols Around the World_. NY:
Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co., 1967.
Jung, Carl G., _Man and his Symbols_. Garden City: Doubleday &
Co., 1964, 1968. Also NY: Dell Publishing Co., 1968, and London:
Aldus Books, 1964.
Menschel, Robert, "Remanifestation: A Symbolic Syntheses", _RT_
IT.II.B.3.e.(2).
Menschel, Robert, "Tarot Primer", _RT_ IT.II.B.3.e.(3).
Norton, Lynn, "Golden Section Tarot Working", "Atu XV: The Devil",
and "The Dialogue". _RT_ IT.II.A.3.k.(1), 4.h.(1), and 4.h.(2).
Regardie, Israel, _777 and Other Qabalistic Writings of Aleister
Crowley_. 9M (TS-4).
Schaefer, Heinrich, _Principles of Egyptian Art_. 2R (TS-4).
=========
Footnote:
=========

1. The Grand Master wishes to digress temporarily from the workshop's discussion,
and to comment at this time on one of the first statements offered during this
discussion.

The God Set

by Setnakt
The best English study of Set is Te Velde's _Set, God of
Confusion_ Brill 1977. If this particular text is unavailable through your library,
I recommend a a short cheap and very reliable book by George Hart: _A Dictionary of
Egyptian Gods and Goddesses_, Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1986. This very ambiguous god
was alternately deified
and demonized depending on the cultural/political currents running through Egypt.
Allow me to present here a brief history of Set.
Predynastically: Set was an important deity appearing in the art of the Hamitic
peoples living in the Ombos and Naquada regions. Interestingly, his was the only
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god-figure not composed of parts from recognizable Earth animals.
(The Hamitic speakers donated most of the terms to religious philosophy to the
Egyptian langauge that seperate it from other Semitic languages including ba, ka,
neter, etc. If somebody really wants to find the roots of the Egyptian religion,
they should go up the Nile and do some serious anthropology among Hamitic speaking
native cultures-- the roots of the Nile may hold keys to Egyptian thought that mute
stones do not).
Archaic Egypt: Set generally occupies a secondary role to his enemy Horus, champion
of the people of the North (except in the 2nd dynasty when one pharaoh took a "Set"
name rather than a Horus name.) Set is intimately connected with teaching
astronomy,the methods of agriculture, medicine, and above all magic. He is said to
have opened the mouth of the other gods, and is the patron of the sem ritual. His
cult titles include "Great of Magic" and "Eternal". There is indeed evidence that
Set is set apart from other gods to die (Bonnet's commentaries on the
Pyramid texts).
The astronomical cult, which placed the afterlife in the region of the Northern
heavens -- particularly in and around the constellation of the Great Bear was
replaced in the Fourth dynasty by a growing sun cult centering on Re and Horus. The
great stellar monument that Imhotep designed were replaced by the solar pyramids of
the Fourth and Fifth dynasty's. (Notably Cheops took no chances in the great
Pyramid's design -- although outwardly a solar monument he had a hole bored
through the stones aligned with the position of Alpha Draconis (a star in the Great
Bear called Thuban = "the Subtle One" a Set cult
title?) just in case that was where his ka was heading.
During the next few dynasties (4 - 17), Set is generally
ignored. His functions are absorbed into other gods. Thoth picks up the
attributes of magic, Osiris picks up the attributes of Mysterious time _djet_ as
opposed to exoteric time _neheh_. Set keeps his attributes a storm and stellar god,
and gradually comes to be associated with all night fears -- nightmares, desert
fiends, and bad animals such as the hippo and the jaguar of the South. He is
mentioned in a famous 12th dynasty writing called _The Discourse of a man with his
ba_ in which his solar aspect IAA is referred to. Bikka Reed has a great
translations of this text.
In the 18th dynasty a remarkable Pharoah Hatshepsut reintroduced the worship of Set
by building a Temple dedicated to him and Horus the Elder at Ombos. This marked a
strong interest in Set's eternal nature, for example in Hatshepsut is the prophecy
(which she had placed in her tomb at Der el-Medina) that "She will not only enjoy
the days of Horus, but the days of Set will be added to her span."
She was also interested in the antinomian nature of the Set cult -- in fact she
preformed one of the most scandalous acts available to a woman -- she acted as a
man. This early feminist clearly found Set, a great archetype to Work with. Set was
popular among her family until the Kingship of Akhenaton (may he be reborn forever
drowning in the jaws of Sobek the crocodile god).
The very militaristic pharaohs of the Nineteenth dynasty, who were probably
descended form a family of Set priests at Tanis, delighted in Set both in his
militaristic role and as God of Foreign places. Ramses II for example called himself
the Son of Set. The Set cult too was very popular with foreigners coming to live in
Egypt. His worship has always been connected with the outsider.
The Twentieth Dynasty began by looking very favorably on this god, as is shown in
the name of its founder Setnakt, "Set is Mighty." There is also considerable
evidence that the set cult was favored among artisans of the time (see Romer's
_Ancient Lives_, Henry Holt, 1984, and if you've got as copy of Stephen Quirk's
_Ancient Egyptian Religion_ check out the beautiful Stella of Aapehty -- probably
the most beautiful surviving example of Setian art).

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By the end of the Twentieth Dynasty, as the funerary cult of Osiris became the
dominate force in popular Egyptian religion,more and more, Set as the murderer of
Osiris became the Evil One. In fact by the Twenty Sixth dynasty it was a common
practice to disfigure any representations of Set. He became --for all practical
purposes the Christian devil. Some scholars have even derived the name Satan from
Set-Hen, a cult title meaning the Majesty of Set, but I am dubious of this
particular derivation.
However Set was not down for the count. During the Ptolemaic period Set, merged with
the Greek titan Typhon, became the figure for the _goes_ or sorcerer to use. After
Hermes the most often invoked god in the Magical papyri is Set-Typhon. This entity
was used to bring spirit helpers ( bird would fly down and announce that the
magician was now under the
protection of a god -- a popular Typhonic practice outside of Egypt as well see
Morton Smith's _Jesus the Magician_). Set was also the god to invoke to send dreams,
perform healings on the head or spinal column, and to cause enmity between enemies.
There seems to be a few common threads running through the Set cult: the quest for
immortality, antinomianism, and the practice of magic. Perhaps this is why Michael
Aquino's current Temple of Set finds this figure so appealing as an archetype for
the Left Hand Path. Like Hatshepsut before Aquino has Opened the Mouth of this
ancient god, and the articulation of the Principle of Isolate Intelligence is
available to us today.

Sources and Resources for Asatru

Organizations:
The Asatru Alliance of Independent Kindreds P.O. Box 961; Payson AZ 85547
The Alliance is the linear descendent of the Asatru Free Assembly. They are a
democratically run national confederation of independent kindreds who meet once a
year in an Allthing to conduct business. It is essentially conservative and
libertarian. "The Alliance is based upon the ancient model of tribal democracy
known as the Thing, and member kindreds support a code of laws we feel necessary to
preserve and protect Asatru from those who would dilute, subvert, or in any way harm
our religion. Membership in the Alliance is encouraged for those who actively
promote and believe in the Aesir and Vanir and our collective Heathen Heritage.
Anyone interested in joining the Alliance should contact the kindred of choice for
acceptance. There is no membership in the Alliance except through a kindred.
Applicants must subscribe to the membership requirements of the kindred of choice
and uphold the bylaws of the Asatru Alliance."
The Ring of Troth P.O. Box 18812; Austin TX 78760 The Ring of Troth was
founded by Edred Thorsson. He resigned in Spring of 2242 (Runic Reckoning - 1992
C.E.) and has been replaced by Prudence Priest, most well known as the editor of
Yggdrasil. Due to the resignation of Thorsson and several other members of the
High Rede (i.e. Board of Directors) the Ring is currently in reorganization, and it
appears that it will emerge much stronger than before.
The Ring is governed by an appointed High Rede of 9 persons who guide the national
affairs of the Ring. They offer a number of programs include an Elder training
program for prospective clergy, The Rune Ring for study of the magickal properties
of the Runes from within a Germanic Pagan context, and recognition for local
Kindreds.
The Ring of Troth requires that "its members affiliate for cultural and
religious reasons rather than for racial and political reasons. The use of the Ring
of Troth as a platform for any type of political or racial
propoganda will not be tolerated"
Dues are $24 and include a subscription to Idunna. If one does not wish to join,
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Friends of the Troth may receive Idunna for $24 as well.
Magazines:
Vor Tru - $12/year. The Journal of the Asatru Alliance (see above address).
Concentrates on community issues within the Alliance, news of kindreds, letters,
etc.
Idunna - $24/year. The journal of the Ring of Troth. Idunna concentrates on fairly
heavy academic subjects, runelore, etc.
Mountain Thunder - $15/year, 1630 30th St #266; Boulder CO 80301. Glossy
covered and well put together. Usually excellent articles on relgious
issues of Heathenry, scholarly stuff, reviews, and opinion.

Uncle Thorr's Newsletter - $12/year, P.O. Box 080437; Staten Island NY

10308-0005. Simple newsletter with ranting and raving from Uncle Thorr and company,
news from NY, and articles on lifestyle, runes, and other topics.
Kindreds:
American Church of Theodish; 107 Court St, Suite 131; Watertown NY 13601
(Anglo Saxon Theodism)
Am Church of Theodish West; 9353 Otto St; Downey CA 90241
Arizona Kindred; P.O. Box 961; Payson AZ 85547 (Asatru Alliance)
Barnstokker Hearth; P.O. Box 1972; Seattle WA 98111-1972

Eagles Reaches; P.O. Box 382; Deer Park TX 77536 (Ring of Troth)
Mountain Moot; P.O. Box 328; Elizabeth CO 80107
Nerthus Heart; 27 Gap Rd; Black Hawk CO 80422
Northern California Kindred; P.O. Box 445; Nevada City CA 95959
Norvegr Kindred; 219 Lewis St; Wash Court House OH 43160

Oak Rune Kindred; P.O. Box 3392; Galveston TX 77552

Raven Kindred; P.O. Box 970; Amherst MA 01004-0970
Skelland Kindred; P.O. Box 7608; Clearwater FL 34618
Thorr's Hammer Kindred; 9461 Bella Vista Rd; Apple Valley CA 92308
Torwald Kindred; 1630 30th St #266; Boulder CO 80301

Vinland Kindred; P.O. Box 15431 PSS; Stamford CT 06901

Wulfing Kindred; P.O. Box 18237; Chicago IL 60618 (Asatru Alliance)
Yggdrasil Kindred; 1709 West Midvale Village Dr; Tucson AZ 85476
Recommended Books:
The Poetic Edda, Lee Hollander translation (basic mythology in an
excellently translated poetic version.)
The Prose Edda, Jean Young translation (basic mythology)

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The Norse Myths, Kevin Crossley Holland (basic mythology in modern language and
retelling, excellent for readings or meditation)
A Book of Troth by Edred Thorsson (Not my favorite author and not a book
without many imperfections, but the only mass market book of the basic
rituals of Asatru)
The AFA Rituals, three volumes available from World Tree Books ($18 from
World Tree) The original ritual volumes from the Asatru Free Assembly.

Introduction to Ritual and Invocation Tape ($7 from World Tree Books) A basic
cassette tape that goes through a ritual step by step, the other side is a variety
of invocations and prayers.
The last two are from World Tree Publications; P.O. Box 961; Payson AZ 85547 (checks
payable to the O.F. of Arizona). World Tree is a service of the Asatru Alliance and
carries a number of tapes and booklets as well as Thor's Hammers and statuary.

ADF BASIC RITUAL NUMBER ONE

by P.E.I. Bonewits, Sally Eaton and others
Procession, lead by D1 and D2:
D1: Ta muid anseo leis na Deithe a adhradh.
D2: We are here to honor the Gods.
D1: A Dheithe, an Airde, a Thabharthoiri ar Bheatha - eistigi
agus freagairt orainn!
D2: O Gods, High Ones, Givers of Life - hear and answer us!

Processional song:
We come from the mountains,
Living in the mountains,
Turn the world around.
We come from the oceans,
Living in the oceans,
Turn the world around.

We come from the fire,

Living in the fire,
Turn the world around.
We come from the breezes,
Living in the breezes,
Turn the world around.
Settling song:
She changes everything she touches,
And everything she touches changes.

Tree Meditation:
When e'er we stand in a sacred place
Beneath the Sun's or Moon's bright face,
In a circle's rim or shady grove,
Our spirits go to the Gods we love.
Let all our minds go clear and free,
and form the image of a treee,
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A youthful sapling of the glade,
Whose budding branches cast no shade.
Around this tender, supple youth,
Are seen its sturdy forbearers growth,
Those forest Elders strong and wise,
Who nurture those of lesser size.

So close your eyes, and in your mind

Become one of the spirit kind.
Cast off your cares and disbelief,
and enter tree from root to leaf.
Relax and breathe and center will,
Then let the peace within you swell
Until it is a thing profound.
Now send it deep in the ground.
In every little tender root
Feel water flow, and and then transmute;
The sap will flow through ever vein,
Our links to our ancestors regain.
Now let the sap rise in a flood,
And race to every branch and bud;
Each branch extend into the air,
Each leaf unfold in green so fair.
The gentle zephers toss each bough,
And to you calming breaths endow,
While rays of golden summer light
Give warmth and lend their power's might.
Let water rise and fire descend,
And lively air the branches bend;
Thus firmly planted in the Earth,
The elements give us rebirth.
Now let the green entwine,
And form our sacred grove devine.
With branch and root our circle form,
And magic from mundane transform.
We all are rooted just the same,
We feel the same supernal flame,
We drink the water free to all,
We hear the gentle airy call.
Now let us feel our spirits surge,
And into one great spirit merge
To let the Lord and Lady know
That we are ready below.
And let us all link hand to hand,
Before all of the gods we stand,
And in this hallowed space we start
To show all that is in our heart.
Specifacation of ritiual:

Invocation of Ogma the Gate Keeper, or Mannanon in English and Irish:

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(English by Sally Eaton, Irish by James Duran)
(visualization is a triangle shaped iris opening)

D1: A Oghma, a thiarna na nGeatai, a thiarna an Fheasa, oscail

na geatai duinn. Ta muid ag siul i do lorg, ta' muid ag siul ar
do bhealach. Scaoil duinn do theagasc taispeain duinn cen chaol
a siul faidh muid slan. Molann muid thu mar gheall ar do
chumhacht. Siuil linn a Oghma!

or

D1: A Mhanannon, a thiarna na nGeatai, a thiarna an Fheasa,

oscail na geatai duinn. Ta muid ag siul i do lorg, ta' muid ag
siul ar do bhealach. Scaoil duinn do theagasc taispeain duinn
cen chaol a siul faidh muid slan. Molann muid thu mar gheall ar
do chumhacht. Siuil linn a Mhanannon!

D2: O Ogma, Lord of the Gates, Lord of Knowledge, open the ways
for us. We walk in your footsteps, we walk your roads. Reveal to
us your teaching, reveal to us the way to walk in safety. We
praise you for the brightness of your power. Walk with us, Ogma!
or

D2: O Manannon, Lord of the Gates, Lord of Knowledge, open the

ways for us. We walk in your footsteps, we walk your roads.
Reveal to us your teaching, reveal to us the way to walk in
safety. We praise you for the brightness of your power. Walk
with us, Manannon!

D1: Siuil linn a Oghma...

D2: ...walk with us Ogma!
D1: Siuil linn a Oghma...
D2: ...walk with us Ogma!
D1: Siuil linn a Oghma...
D2: ...walk with us Ogma!
or
D1: Siuil linn a Mhanannon...
D2: ...walk with us Manannon!
D1: Siuil linn a Mhanannon...
D2: ...walk with us Manannon!
D1: Siuil linn a Mhanannon...
D2: ...walk with us Manannon!
Chant:
We invoke thee Ogma, Opener of every Gate
We invoke thee Ogma, Opener of every Gate.
You shall reach us, You shall teach us and reveal our fate.
You shall reach us, You shall teach us and reveal our fate.
(repeat nine times)

or

We invoke Manannon, Opener of every Gate

We invoke Manannon, Opener of every Gate.
You shall reach us, You shall teach us and reveal our fate.
You shall reach us, You shall teach us and reveal our fate.
(repeat nine times)

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Invoke Matron of Bards (Bridget nominally)
O Bridget, our heart, Our brightest Queen;
Cast your blessings unto us.
We are your children, You are our mother;
So harken unto us.
You are the Cauldron now in our grove;
Earth-Mother inspire us.
O fire of love, O fire of life;
Please Bridget, come to us!
Triad invocations and consecrating of the waters:
Nature: Fill main chalice with whiskey and secondary chalice with water.
Hold them up and say:
D2: O spirits of the old times and of this place, our
companions, our teachers, hallow these waters. Share with us the
renewal of the Earth. Share with us comfort, knowledge, and
blessing. Speak to our hearts, that we may become one with you
all...Behold the waters of life.
D1: A sprideanna na seanaimsire, agus na haite seo, a
chomhghuaillithe,a mhuinteori, beannaigi na h-uisci seo duinn.
Roinnigi orainn athbheochan na Talun. Roinnigi orainn
suaimhneas, eolas, agus beannacht. Labhraigi linn inar gcroi, le
go mbeadh muid in aon bhall libhse...Seo iad uisci na beatha!
Sip from each chalice and passes to D2 then to sunwise (left), saying:

Behold the waters of life.

Asperging song/chant (Fur and Feathers) for while waters being passed.
Fur and feather and scale and skin,
Different without, the same within.
Many of body but one of soul,
Through all creatures, the Gods made whole.
(repeat nine times)

Ancestors:
D2: O people of the old times, our ancestors, our kindred,
hallow these waters. Share with us the bond of life upon the
Earth. Share with us comfort, knowledge, and blessing. Speak to
our hearts, that we may become one with you all ... Behold the
waters of life!
D1: A sheana, a shinseara, a mhuintir, beannaigi n h-uisci seo
duinn. Roinnigi orainn ceangal na beatha ar Talamh. Roinnigi
orainn suaimhneas, eolas, agus beannacht. Labhraigi linn inar
gcroi, le go mbeadh muid in aon bhall libhse .... Seo iad uisci
na beatha!
Asperging song/chant:
It's the blood of the ancients,
That runs through our veins.
And the forms pass,
But the Circle of Life remains.

Gods as a whole:

D2: O Gods of the old times, our mothers, our fathers, hallow
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these waters. Share with us your power to regenerate the Earth.
Share with us comfort, knowledge, and blessing. Speak to our
hearts, that we may become one with you all ... Behold the
waters of life!

D1: A Dheithe na seanaimsire, a mhaithreacha, a aithreacha,

beannaigi na h-uisci seo duinn. Roinnigi orainn bhur gcumhacht
le go nginfeadh muid an Domhan. Roinnigi orainn suaimhneas,
eolas, agus beannacht. Labhraigi linn inar gcroi, le go mbeadh
muid in aon bhall libhse ... Seo iad uisci na beatha!
Asperging song/chant:

Mother I feel You under my feet. Mother I hear your heart beat.
Mother I feel You under my feet. Mother I hear your heart beat.
Father I see You where the eagle flies. Spirit going to take me
higher.
Father I see You where the eagle flies. Spirit going to take me
higher.

Praise offerings and major power raising:

The sacrifice: (see FESTNAME.TXT for diety names of holidays)

D2: Our praise goes up with thee on the wings of eagles; our
voices are carried up to thee on the shoulders of the winds.
Hear now, o Name, o Name, we pray thee, as we offer up this
sacrifice of life. Accept it we pray thee, and cleanse our
hearts, giving to us of your peace and life.
D1: Teann ar moladh suas chugat ar sciathain iolar; beitear ar
nglortha suas chugat ar ghuailne na gaoithe. Eistigi anois,
a..., an ..., mas e bhur dtoil e, agus sinn ag ofrail na
h-iobairte seo ar son na beatha. Glacaigi lei, mas e bhur dtoil
e, agus glanaigi ar gcroithe, ag roinnt arainn do chuid siochana
is do bheatha.
The Omen:
D2: Have you accepted our sacrifice of life and human effort?
D1: Give unto us an omen!
Possible repitition of Praise offerings and Omen seeking, if needed.
D1: Rejoice! The NAME and NAME have accepted our sacrifices!
Meditation on personal needs:
Repetition on group needs: done by D1 & D2
Induction of Receptivity:
D1: Of what does the Earth-Mother give, that we may know of the
continual flow and renewal of life?
D2: The waters of life.
D1: From whence do these waters flow?
D2: From the bosom of the Earth-Mother, the ever changing All-Mother.
D1: And how do we honor this gift that causes life?
D2: By partaking of the waters of life.
D1: Has the Earth Mother given forth of Her bounty?
D2: She has.
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D1: Then give me the waters!
Final consecration and sharing:
D1: A NAME, an NAME, Eistigi agus freagairt orainn! Bean- naigi
na h-uisci seo duinn. Muide do chlann, a mhol thu, agus anois
iarrann muid ort leigheas, beannachtai, cumhacht agus
tinfeadh... Seo iad uisci na beatha!
D2: O NAME, O NAME, hear us and answer us! Hallow these waters!
We your children have praised you, and now we ask from you
healing, blessing, power and inspiration .... Behold the waters
of life!
Passing song/chant:
Burn bright, flame within me,
Kindled of eternal fire.
Of the people I do be,
And the people part of me,
All one in many parts,
A single fire of flaming hearts!
Meditation on reception of blessings and reinforcement of group bonds:

Affirmation of success:
D1: NAME and NAME have Blessed us!
D2:Every time we invoke them, they become stronger and more alert
to the needs of their people.
D1: With joy in our hearts, let us return to the realm of mortals,
to do the will of the Gods and our own.
D2: Yet, before we leave, we must give thanks to those whom we
invited here today.
Thanking of the Entities involved:
D2: O NAME and NAME,
D1: A NAME, an NAME,
D2: We thank you!
D1: Go raibh maith agaibh!

All: Go raibh maith agaibh!

D2: O Gods and Goddesses of the old times,

D1: A Dheithe na seanaimsiri -

All: Go raibh maith agaibh!

D2: O people of the old times, our ancestors, our kindred,

D1: A sheana, a shinseara, a mhuntir -

All: Go raibh maith agaibh!

D2: O spirits of the old times, and of this place,

D1: A sprideanna na seanaimsire, agus na haite seo -

All: Go raibh maith agaibh!

D2: O Bridget, Fire of Life and Fire of Love, Mother of Bards

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and Goddess of inspiration, we thank you.
D1: A Bhrid, a Thine Bheatha agus a Thine Ghra, a Mhathair na
Bardai agus Bheandia na Thinfeadh, go raith maith agat!
Closing of the Gates:
D2: O Ogma, Lord of the Gates, Lord of Knowledge, we thank you.
Now let the Gates Between the Worlds be closed!
D1: A Oghma, a Thairna na nGeatai, a Thairna an Fheasa, go raith
maith agat. Anois biodh na geatai idir na saolta a druidte!
or
D2: O Mhannon, we thank you. Now let the Gates Between the Worlds be
closed!
D1: A Mannonon go raith maith agat. Anois biodh na geatai idir na
saolta a druidte!
Reversing the Tree meditation:
Our sacred grove the Gods do love,
The Earth beneath, the sky above,
But now this ritual must end,
Toward our home and hearthstone fend.

Again we cleat our mind and heart;

The branches shrink and pull apart.
The roots untie and backward turn,
And spirit fire less brightly burns.

Let water sink, let fire go,

Let gentle zephers homeward flow,
And as if in a cleansing rain
Become a single tree again.

Then from this solitary tree

Your soul breaks loose, a being free.
Your body calls, your spirit flies,
Returns, you slowly open your eyes.

Libation:
D1: To thee we return this portion of thy bounty, o NAME our
Mother, even as we must someday return unto thee.
Final Benediction:
D1: Let us go out into the world, secure in the knowledge that
our sacrifices have pleased the Gods and Goddesses, and that we
go forth upon the Earth under their protection.
D2: We have finished this ceremony!
D1: So be it!
All: Biodh se!

Recessional song/chant: Walk with Wisdom

Walk with wisdom
from this hallowed place.
Walk not in sorrow,
our roots shall ere embrace.
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May Strength be your brother,
and Honor be your friend.
and Luck be your lover until we meet again.
***********************************************************************From:THE
DRUIDS PROGRESS, Report #6. The DRUIDS PROGRESS is published semiannually (Gods
Willing) and is sent primarily to the subscribing members of ADF. For Further
information write: ADF, PO Box 1022, Nyack, NY USA 10960-1022 (include a SASE). All
Items accredited to "the Archdruid" have been written by and are (C) 1990 by P.E.I.
Bonewits. All items created by other parties are (C) 1990 by them. All opinions
expressed, save those specifically attributed to the Board of Trustees, are the
opinions of the individuals expressing them and are Not official ADF policy.
Reprint Procedure: Neopagan, Druidic, Medievalist and all cultural publications may
reprint any material written by P.E.I. Bonewits, but his copyright notice must
appear in full. If more than 250 words are excerpted, one cent per word should be
donated to ADF.
***********************************************************************
PAGAN MANNERS OR
Are There Any Dead Animals in The Soup?
by Grey Cat, Members Advocate
--------------------------------------------------------------------- I can hear
the outraged screams already. there are people out there who believe that the very
idea of "Pagan Manners" is a conflict in terms; that "manners" are outdated,
dishonest and hypocritical. Well,think again. Manners constitute the only
successful technique ever discovered by humankind to enable groups and individuals,
holding moderately disparate views, customs or beliefs, to get along together.
There are things more important than manners; but, without manners,its unlikely that
a discussion will ever go to them. Pagan manners are fairly simple and have
nothing to do with which fork you use or how to word an invitation. They have to do
with respect for others' feelings and beliefs. They most specifically have to do
with recognition of the fact that you should "judge not the path of your brother or
sister for their path is sacred." Manners are also the only way of attempting to
grant everyone the personal space which each of us needs. There have been a number
of attempts to write down a list of "thou shalts" and "thou shalt nots" which will
cover Pagan life. Here are several tries made by four different people:
MY OWN OPINIONS 1. Never assume that you are invited to a ritual or a non
public gathering just because your friend is invited. Have your friend call the
group doing the event and ASK! (or call yourself). 2. When participating in a ritual
led by a group of which you are nota member, ask ahead of time what will be done.
SHould there be something in the explanation, or in the set-up of the ritual area
which bothers you, just quietly don't participate in the ritual. 3. Ask the
person(s) officiating at a ritual before you place anything in the ritual area; wear
clothing or tools which might be considered unusual; or add private energy workings
to the ritual being done. 4. Never just walk out of a cast ritual circle. Ask
someone in the group sponsoring the ritual to cit you a door if your really and
truly absolutely have to leave. 5. Don't make comments on the ritual, its leaders or
the amount or quality of the energy raised during the ritual unless such opinions
are asked for by the leaders. Save it for your friends, privately,after the ritual
is over. 6. Vegetarians, Vegans, Strict Carnivores, Diabetics, and any others with
very strong food preferences: no one minds your asking quietly and politely "Which
dishes have meat (sugar, spices, hot pepper, etc.)in them?" When planning a meal for
mixed Pagan/Wiccan groups, it is strongly suggested that at least some of the dishes
be vegetarian, sugar-free, relatively non-spicy etc. At all times, within and
without the ritual context, always provide an alternative to alcoholic beverages. 7.
While many people have become far less secretive about their membership in a Pagan
group, it is never, EVER, permissible to "blow someones cover". Do not ever call a
friend or acquaintance by their Pagan name or mention their membership in a mundane
situation. It is also bad manners - and a symptom of social climbing - to call an
individual by his/her mundane name in a Pagan situation. It always reminds me of an
extra calling John Wayne "The Duke" at a local bar. 8. Whether you drink, take drugs
or indulge in other similar behavior is completely your own business. It is always
wrong to urge such behavior on any other individual. The majority of serious Pagan
groups absolutely do NOT allow anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol to
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participate in ritual. Do not be offended of you are turned away for this reason. If
you are taking a psycho-active drug for a medical reason it is very wise to check
with the ritual leader(s) so they will understand and can advise you if they feel
the ritual might be harmful to you. 9. Just because most Pagans/Wiccans are under
40 and in reasonably good physical condition, never assume that everyone is. Rituals
and gatherings should be planned so that those with physical problems aren't barred
totally from participation. Particularly in ritual, be aware that many more people
than you might think are "mobility disabled." Group ritual should take place in an
accessible area and some thought should be given to designating a safe place for
those not taking part in dancing to stand or sit. Please be alert to anyone to whom
help would be welcome. Help them to find a campsite which minimizes walking - to the
ritual area, to the privies, to the eating area - whatever. Help them pitch their
camp. Don't make them feel unwelcome - most handicapped people have worked extra
hard on their magickal skills and may be able to add a great deal to the power in
ritual and to the success of the gathering. 10. When at any sort of gathering,
please be thoughtful. Particularly please observe true quiet after midnight. No one
minds if you and others want to stay up all night talking or whatever. Everyone else
minds a great deal if you stay up talking and laughing loudly and/or drumming. Those
hosting a gathering should take the responsibility of keeping the noise level very
low in at least some of the sleeping areas - and designating it as a quiet area. 11.
Do not allow yourself to get the idea that you know the One True,Right and Only
Path! Even if you really do have the conviction that what someone else is doing is
"wrong", "incorrect", "Left-hand path"or whatever, just don't talk about it. It is
perfectly permissible to refrain from participating in the activities of those with
whom you cannot feel comfortable. It is not acceptable to express the idea that
they "shouldn't" be doing it. This is not to say that if you know of criminal
behavior on the part of a so-called Pagan/Wiccan group you should not report it. We
must also be responsible for cleaning up our own act. Paganism is glorified by
its diversity. Please do not allow yourself to express judgement by categories.
Whether or not you like or dislike blacks, Indians, Homosexuals, women, men, or
whatever, keep it to yourself! If you really and truly cannot feel comfortable
taking part in a ritual which isn't conducted according to the tradition you follow
or if you cannot be pleasant in company mixed with groups you disapprove of, please
just stay home.

PAGAN/CRAFT ETIQUETTE by Soapbox Sam

Listed below are not hard and fast rules, but some helpful guidelines for those who
would function smoothly in a craft/Pagan environment. 1. Should you write to someone
for information, always enclose an SASE (Self-addressed, Stamped Envelope). Many of
us receive several inquiries a day. Sometimes just answering them, much less having
to pay the postage and buy envelopes, is a time-consuming, expensive task! 2. Should
your inquiry be about Pagan/Craft folks in your area, tell about yourself, and how
you came to have our names and wrote to is -after all the Inquisition is alive and
sick here in the heart of the Bible Belt. Do not expect names and addresses unless
they are already"public". Most of us, even the "public" Pagan/Craft folks prefer to
meet people slowly and carefully over a cup of coffee in a public place, before we
start introducing you to our groups and our friends.Why should we risk when you have
risked nothing? ((Sometimes I get mail that simply has a name and address on it and
demand that I send the latest copy of my newsletter or the names and addresses/phone
numbers of all Craft people in the writer's areas. One man sent me a letter raising
hell because he has (according to him) sent me $0.33 in the mail and was waiting on
the copy of my newsletter "I owed him"!Sadly, this type of letter is more common
than not... his letter and 33 cents, is ever sent, was never received. Do I really
have to explain to grown mature adults about sending money through the mails???)) 3.
If you are invited to a gathering or festival, whether by written or oral
invitation, before you invite others, get permission. Because of space, or other
considerations, the number of people that can be accommodated might be limited, or
certain individuals or groups may not be welcome because of personality conflicts
and resulting disharmony. Also, if a weekend gathering is scheduled and you can only
arrive for the ritual and then must leave, ask if that is OK...sometimes the ritual
is the climax of the entire gathering, rather than an event in itself; in that case
to show up only for the ritual not having been part of the entire event is to
'take-away' from the meaning of the whole for those who were there! 4. Always
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inquire what you should bring to any gathering. If you have received an official
invitation, you should have been told. But,assume nothing! Ask if you need to bring
food, robes, candles, drinks,eating utensils (forks, cups, plates, etc). It is
unreasonable and rude to assume that an invitation to a gathering means that people
just like yourselves, will expect you to come and eat their food, use their utensils
and leave a mess for them to clean up after you have gone. If you cannot take food,
then at least offer the gatherings sponsors a cash donation to help defray their
cost. If you can't stay to help clean up afterwards, at least be considerate enough
to get your own refuse to a garbage container. 5. To be invited to participate in
another's ritual is NOT your right, but rather a privilege and an honor. If you are
unfamiliar with their tradition, common courtesy demands that you at least inquire
about enough information to participate in a positive fashion, and most certainly,
make no assumptions about adding anything to the circle or placing your "special'
crystals, totems, whatever in the circle or at a specific place within the circle
without getting permission. Also, do not remove anything from a circle even should
you feel it doesn't belong, without explaining why and getting permission. 6. It
should not have to be said, but then neither should any of the above: If these
Pagan/Craft rituals have no meaning in your life, and if you have just come for the
fellowship, then enjoy the fellowship and please do not attend the ritual. The
circle is a significant part of our entire way of life, not a reenactment of some
past event just for the sake of the pageantry. When we can, we are pleased to share
it with you, and we do so in Love and Light with Peace and Laughter.
IDEAS FROM MERLIN THE ENCHANTER 1. Be Yourself... if you worry about what
others think, then you won't think for yourself... and if you don't think for
yourself, you may as well be dead! 2. Allow all others to be themselves... just
because Joe Blow from kokomo has blue candles on his altar and you use only white
ones, that doesn't mean he is the son of Satan. We must each one be allowed our own
Pagan path in freedom, for if we cannot do that, then we have no freedom! 3. Let's
stop all the silliness of who is and is not a Witch, and what one must do to be a
witch. 4. Don't ask for someone's opinions unless you really want it! More Witch
wars are started because someone asked for another's views and didn't like the
answer they got! 5. Add a dose of good humor (the worst Witches are the ones that
take everything so S-E-R-I-O-U-S-L-Y!) IDEAS FROM BEKET ASER EDITHSDATTERIt is
necessary that we learn to be just plain adult about working together - or even,
just existing on the same planet. 1. If you can't tolerate any slightest deviation
from your own tradition, do not take part in public or cross-cultural rituals or
gatherings. 2. If you have ideas of what should be in the ritual; or what should not
- go to the planning meeting and express your opinions. 3. If you delegate a task to
someone else - you have made it their job. The only thing you have to say is "Thank
you". When and how they do it is their business so long as it is done at the moment
it is required. 4. Appoint somebody to keep notes of the planning meetings - as
things are said, not afterwards, or, inevitably, there will be disagreements about
the ground rules. 5. Gossip : There are a few situations wherein it is legitimate to
pass on "gossip". the following suggestions are not all inclusive but may serve to
give guidelines for judging: a. When a major life change definitely is occurring
to someone with whom you and the person to whom you pass on the information -
frequently work. b. When you are acting as resource to help someone decrease a
situation of disagreement. c. When you really plan to take positive action to
alleviate the situation the gossip refers to. d. (This situation really does not
occur all that often.) When warning someone about an individual whose practices are
definitely undesirable for a reason other than that you don't like them. e. When
you have truly accurate information to counteract damaging and inaccurate rumor. 6.
When examining a situation to decide whether or not you, yourself,are under psychic
attack, be sure to ask yourself if it couldn't be because being under attack makes
you feel important. 7. Within the group or group structure, the High Priest and or
High Priestess are generally entitled to your respect and a certain amount of
deference. If they really, really don't know as much as you do, perhaps it is time
that you take a fond and friendly leave of them/him/her and begin a group of your
own. Obviously, group or group affairs are appropriate subjects for discussion
among all the members, and the HP/S definitely should be willing to listen to
reasonable suggestions. However, you joined the group in order to learn from its
leaders; a year or two of study probably doesn't qualify you to suddenly object to
all their teachings, methods, and beliefs. Above all, it is inappropriate to try to
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stir up the whole group and "take over" the group. The leaders have put a good deal
of time, patience, thought and teaching into building the group and giving it a good
name - if you want to be Witch Queen of the Universe, start your own group from
scratch and try to become good enough to earn status yourself. The goal is not big
groups, it is the best possible groups. For group leaders: They need to be grown-up
enough to know that everydisagreement isn't necessarily a personal attack. They need
to developleadership skills to avoid confrontation and inflexibility. They needto
know how to lead without dominating and they need an intenseinterest in the health
of the group. The HP/S needs to listen to theideas of the members and to use their
ideas whenever posssible. Theyshould be able to explain rationally why certain ideas
cannot be used. #30#
Study of the Planetary Hours System
-----------------------------------
by Andrew Kettle.
1994
Introduction. Neo-pagan witchcraft has no central leaders, so
one of the questions that echos across the valleys
of the traditions is; "Are there to many cooks spoiling
the broth?" As most witches are fervent independants, and
self-assertively so, each will have a differnt approach
and opinion to such a simple observation.
Underneath the whole landscape of debate however, are
truths and basic historical facts being forgotten or
distorted? In certain instances it would be deemed
unavoidable in the present atmosphere of information
scavenging, where medium communications reveal past lives
and the knowledge from them to broaden the bookshelves of
the many esoteric book shops.
Be that as it may, studying the large expanse of
existing wisdom, at times similiar to looking through
water-glass, will relinquish many difficulties and
contradictions. To some this would increase the mysticism,
however when it is a matter of legitimacy where do we
stand?
Sample Text:
from "What witches do", Stewart Farrar,1989, Phoenix
Pub.,Wash. p.174.
"
Appendix 3. Planetary Hours.
These are the traditionally accepted hours for operating spells
which have planetary correspondences. Each day has a ruling
planet; our days of the week in English are mostly named after
the Teutonic forms of the planet-gods concerned. They are:
Sunday, the Sun; Monday, the Moon; Tuesday, Mars (Tiw);
Wednesday, Mercury (Woden); Thursday, Jupiter (Thor); Friday,
Venus (Freya); Saturday, Saturn. The First hour after sunrise
is ruled by the day's own planet, after which each hour is
ruled by one of the other planets in the order Sun, Venus,
Mercury, Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, and so on in rotation.
Thus Monday's second daylight hour is ruled by Saturn, Tuesda's
second by the Sun, etc. At sunset a new sequence starts with
the fifth down the list from the day's planet: thus Monday's
first hour from sunset is ruled by Venus, etc. The full list is as
follows: "

Disclaimer: I have it as a strong intention, to point out that this

acticle is not to be taken as a personal attack of the above
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author or the publisher, or any other connecting party.
I have used Stewart Farrar's text only as a example of the
commonly published, and accepted, planetary hour concept.
Example:
Winter Solstice Timetable of Planetary Arrival and Departures for
=================================================================
Eastern Australia (Brisbane area only) on the 22nd of June, 1994.
=================================================================
Wednesday
Time Planet Statis Planetary Hours
---- ------ ------ --------- -----
2.30am Jupiter Set. Mars
3.40am Mars Rise. Sun
3.50am Pluto Set. Sun
4.54am Moon Set. Venus
5.14am Twilight start
6.37am Sun Rise.
6.55am Mercury Rise.
8.14am Neptune Set. Moon
8.25am Uranus Set. Moon
9.12am Venus Rise. Saturn
11.06am Saturn Set. Mars
1.32pm Jupiter Rise. Venus
2.29pm Mars Set. Mercury
3.21pm Pluto Rise. Moon
3.53pm Moon Rise. Moon
5.02pm Sun Set.
5.31pm Mercury Set. Jupiter
6.25pm Twilight End
6.35pm Neptune Rise. Sun
6.46pm Uranus Rise. Sun
7.44pm Venus Set. Venus
10.23pm Saturn Rise. Saturn
Hypothesis: My hypothesis is that the 'Planetary Hours' concept
is a timetable, based primarily on simplicity, that
was developed in a age when astronomic technology
was largely unavailable, so resulting in such a
system; that in our modern technological society, as
a result of astronomic calculations being easily
accessable, that a new system of 'Planetary hours'
should be constructed upon 'Hours of Right Ascension/
Planets on the Meridian' where applicable or the highest point
of ascension, when the planet is not true to the horizon.
Conflict: As it can be deduced from the above table, certain
planetary hours occur when the planet in question is not
within the horizon. For example, the sun's planetary hours of
3am and 6pm are outside of 'daytime'; Mar's 2am is outside of
'Marstime'; the moon's 8am is external to 'Moontime'.
As a principle, I would remark that it would be of
assistance in rituals that the planet is in appearance and
that the optimum time would be when the planet is directly
above, the hour of Right Ascension/ Planet on the Meridan,
or highest point of path through the hemispheres. If the
'worshipper' was to have a difficulty with the domineering
effect of the planet being above them / on top of them, then a
principle of welcoming the planet at rise and farewelling the
planet at set are equally as valid.
Continuing, this would establish only one planetary hour in
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each day, raising the question of practicality, though a rather
erroneous matter, giving the examples hours of:
Mars (9.04am) 9am planetary hour,
Sun (11.49am) 11am planetary hour,
Mercury (12.13pm) 12pm planetary hour,
Venus (2.26pm) 2pm planetary hour, etc.
To this end, computer programs and/or annual publications
would easily create the availablity of the timetable, a future
project for any publishing house or any number of the pagan/
witchcraft magazine to have as a regular cloumn, thus giving
the practitioner the simplicity, not resorting to ill-advised
system as an alternative.
However, at this point it should be mentioned that, in
accordance with general perception, the physical planet
plays a symbolic role, that the planet is not the vehicle of
magical properties, but a icon, much as the moon is not Aradia
in person, but a mirror of her essence.
Furthermore, it is an accepted belief that the full-moon is
the time of 'Esbat', though in comparison the remaining
planets are given an inaccurate timetable; a perplexing
situation.
Toward, the modernising approach in witchcraft it should be
important to establish 'correct' instruction to ritual, upon
the understanding that it would be a great disservice to
entertain anything else but actuality; as the turmoil of the
word 'wicca' has caused in the movement, now accepted by most
as a redefined word, though all the same established upon
false impressions, an unfortunate situation historically
speaking.
An accurate approach to the craft, that is slowly being
supported as our cultures' resources and developing knowledge
widely spreading with discussions and publications, will
result in a detailed sweep and clean of the old
misconceptions in the traditions and a polish to reflect the
light of modern education.
Conclusion: As with the modern approach of Planetary Hours, it should
be every members directions in tune with open-minded, clear
thinking not to accept a practice that is incorrect and to
strive establishing a strengthed tradition on the foundations
of accurate discovery of the originals of comprehension.
Such an approach would wash out the '14th century mass
illiterate' influence that customs have continued. Though
it must be seen that without this assistance there would
possible be no present existance of witchcraft, but a
rectification of this knowledge is by no means an attack.
Furthermore, it is suggested that a choice should always be
based on truth and not mislead by mistaken presuption.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
By: Alex Rigel
Source: "An ABC of Witchcraft", Doreen Valiente, 1973, Phoenix
publishing inc., Wash. pp.203-4.

"Initiations.
When witchcraft became an underground organisation, the Craft of
the Wise, it shared a characteristic common to all secret societies.
Admission to it was by initiation.
Such initiation required the newly admitted member to swear a
solemn oath of loyalty. When witchcraft was punishable by torture and
death, such an oath was a serious metter. Today, when witchcraft has
become like Freemasonry, not a secret society but a society with
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secrets, the idea of initiationj still remains.
Initiations into witch circles nowadays take varying forms, as they
probably always did. However, the old idea that initiation must pass
from the male to the female, and from the female to the male, still
persists. A male with must be initiated by a woman, and a female witch
by a man. This belief may be found in other forms, in traditional
folklore. For instance, the words of healing charms are often required
to be passed on from a man to a woman, or from a woman to a man.
Otherwise, the charm will have no potency.
There is also an old and deep-seated belief, both in Britian and in Italy, that
witches cannot die until they have passed on thier power to someone else. This
belief in itself shows that witchcraft has been for centuries an initiatory
organisation, in which a tradition was handed on from one person to another.
The exception to the rule that a person must be initiated by one of the
opposite sex, occurs in the case of a witch's own children. A mother may initiate
her daughter, or a father his son.
In general, for their own protection, covens have made a rule that
they will not accept anyone as a member under the age of 21. Witches'
children are presented as babies to the Old Gods, and then not admitted
to coven membership until they have reached their majority.
This rule became general in the terms of persecution. Secrecy upon
which people's lives depended was too great a burden for children's
shoulders to bear. It is evident, from the stories of witch
persecutions, that witch-hunters realised how witchcraft was handed down
in families. Any blood relative of a convicted witch was suspect.
The witch-hunting friar, Francesco-Maria Guazzo, in his 'Compendium
Maleficarum' (Milan, 1608, 1626; English translation edited Montague
Summers, London, 1929), tells us that "it is one among many sure and
certain indications against those accused of witchcraft, if one of their
parents were founded guilty of this crime". When the infamous Matthew
Hopkins started his career as Witch-Finder General, the first victim he
seized upon was an old woman whose mother had been hanged as a witch.
There are a number of fragmentary accounts of old-time witch
initiations, and from these a composite picture can be built up. The
whole-hearted acceptance of the witch religion, and the oath of loyalty,
were the main features. There was also the giving of a new name, or
nick-name, by which the novice was henceforth to be known in the novice
was given a certain amount of instruction, and, if the initiation took
place at a Sabbat, as it often did, they were permitted to join in the
feast and dancing that followed.
In some cases, in the days of really fierce persecuation, a
candidate was also required to make a formal renunciation of the
official faith of the Christian Church, and to fortify this by some
ritual act, such as trampling on a cross. This was to ensure that the
postulant was no hypocritical spy; because such a one would not dare to
commit an act which he or she would believe to be a mortal sin. Once the
postulant had formally done such an act, they had in the eyes of the
Church damned themselves, and abandoned themselves to hellfire; so it
was a real test of sincerity, and an effective deterrent to those who
wanted to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. Such acts are not,
however, to my knowledge, required of witches today.
One of the ritual acts recorded as being part of a witch initiation
is that described by Sir George Mackenzie, writing in 1699 about
witchcraft in Scotland, in his book 'Laws and Customs of Scotland"
(Edinburgh, 1699): "The Slemnity confest by our Witches, is the putting
one hand to the crown of the Head, and another to the sole of the Foot,
renouncing thier Baptism in that posture." Joseph Glanvill's book
'Sadducismus Triumphatus' (London, 1726), had a frontispiece of pictures
illustrating various stories of mysterious happenings, and one of these
old woodcuts shows a witch in the act of doing this.
Her initiation is taking place out of doors, in some lonely spot
between two big trees. With her are three other women, one of whom seems
to be presenting her to the devil, who appears as the conventional
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figure of a horned and winged demon. In practice, however, the devil of
the coven was a man dressed in black, who was sometimes called the Man
in Black, for this reason. The "grand array" of the horned mask, etc,
was only assumed upon special occasions.
A variant of this ritual was for the Man in Black to lay his hand
upon the new witch's head, and bid her to "give over all to him that
was under his hand". This, too, is recorded from Scotland, in 1661.
Information about the initiation of men into witchcraft is much
less than that referring to women. However, here is an account from
the record of the trial of William Barton at Edinburgh, about 1655,
evidently partly in his words and partly in those of his accusers, which
tells how a young woman witch took a fancy to him, and initiated him:
One day, says he, going from my own house in Kirkliston, to the
Queens Ferry, I overtook in Dalmeny Muire, a young Gentlewoman, as to
appearance beautiful and comely. I drew near to her, but she
shunned my company, and when I insisted, she became angry and
very nyce. Said I, we are both going one way, be pleased to accept
of a convoy. At last after much entreaty she grew better natured,
and at length came to that Familiarity, that she suffered me to
embrace her, and to do that which Christian ears ought not to hear
of. At this time I parted with her very joyful. The next night,
she appeared to him in that very same place, and after that which
should not be named, he became sensible, that it was the devil.
Here he renounced his baptism, and gave up himself to her service,
and she called him her beloved and gave him this new name of John
Baptist, and recieved the Mark.
The Devil's amke was made much of by professional witch-hunters,
being supposed to be an indelible make given by the devil in person to
each witch, upon his or her initiation. However, it would surely have
been very foolish of the devil to have marked his followers in this way,
and thus indicated a means by which they mightalways be known. From the
confused descriptions given at various times and places, it seems
evident that the witch-hunters knew there was some ceremony of marking,
but did not know what it was.
In witchcraft ceremonies today, the new initiate is marked with
oil, wine, or some pigment, such as charcoil. However, as Margaret
Murray has pointed out, there is a possibility, judging by the many old
accounts of small red or blue markings being given, the infliction of
which was painful but healed after a while, that this may have been a
tattoo mark. Ritual tattooing is a very old practice; and some relics of this
survive today, in the fact that people have themselves tattooed
with various designs 'for luck'. However, when persecution became very
severe, it would have been unwise to continue this form of marking.
The most up-to-date instance I have heard, of the marking of new
initiates, is the practice of a certain coven in Britian today, which
uses eyeshadow for this purpose; because it is available in pleasing
colours, is easily washed off, and does no harm to the skin. One wonders
what old-time witches would think of it!

By: Alex Rigel

Source: "Lid Off The Cauldron. A wicca Handbook", Patrica Crowther,
1992, Samuel Weiser inc., Maine. pp.34-
" 5 Initiation.
To become a witch you must have a natural inclination to worship the
Old Gods. It must be a feeling which springs from the heart and carries
you on towards your goal, in exactly the same way it happened to the
first witches thousands of years ago.
The approach must be in this manner. Any other attitude, such as
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vulgar curiosity, a desire for power over others, or the selfish
intention of using magic to gain material ends, will only end in failure
and disillusion.
The Old Gods are ancient archetypal images of the divine powers behind
all Nature. They are the oldest gods known to man. Pictures of them are
painted all over Europe and show the great influence they had, even at
the Dawn of Time.
Just because they are so old, is no reason to believe they are in any
way 'out of date'. Our ancesstors were no fools: their way of life and
their culture is gaining more and more respect as the years go by.
Continuous discoveries about their skills and beliefs growing admiration
and amazement.
Their deities were a Mother Goddess and a Horned God, representing the
twin forces of life: male and female, light and dark, positive and
negative, Sun and Moon, etc. These complimentary aspects in nature are
'fact' and cannot be disputed. And, because the Gods are true
representations of the divine powers behind all manifestation, they have
endured through millennia, and will always endure.
Unlike many other religions, where contact with divinity is sought
through prayer and meditation, witchcraft teaches development of the
soul through the Eight Paths of the Witches' Wheel. These ways are part
of the Western Mystery Tradition. The West and the East are two very
different places. Eastern religions teach their followers to look
'within' for enlightenment, and although the West uses this method in
meditation, it is only 'one' of the Eight Paths. The Western mind looks
'outward' and seeks spiritual grace by helping others. Thus, the witches
use their powers to help those in sickness or trouble.
The Awakening can begin as an urge which rises from the depths of the
soul. A state of boredom or despiration, which every human being comes
to at some point of incarnation, can become as a beacon to the spirit.
It is born to the struggling soul and to the complacent alike. Many
lives may be endured before it is realized that the true self must
take the initiative and begin to fight its own way out of the Cycles of
Incarnation, which, without the control of the Higher Self, may continue
indefinitely. Once the realization is born, and the quest begun, the
soul is on its way from manhood to godhood.
Regarding the Craft, it is wise to seek initiation from a 'genuine'
coven. This is not as easy as it sounds, as genuine adherents do not
seek converts, and therefore do not advertise for members. they believe
that if a person is sincere and determined enough in their desire to
belong to the Craft, they will, sooner or later, make contact.
There are, however, various ways of speeding things up a little, such
as contributing to one of the privately printed occult magazines, which
are usually run by people 'in the know'. Or even placing a small advert
in one of these papers. You can also write to the author of a book on
the subject, and send the letter via the publishers. It might then be
forwarded to a coven in your area, although I must add here that even if
this happens, and you are invited to meet someone from a coven, it would
not be indicative of entry.
There are certain conditions which have to be fulfilled, such as
blending in with the personalities of the members, having read widely on
the subject, a willingness to submit to a waiting period, usually a year
and a day, among others. Yet these conditions are valid ones; you cannot
expect to be accepted quickly, but you will know that the witches you
meet have undergone similar obstacles themselves.
The ways of the witches are those of caution, especially where
strangers are concerned. After all, who would admit a stranger to their
home without an introduction, let alone to a temple of the Mysteries.
Care must be taken, too, in finding a coven which is in close
'rapport' with your own life-style, culture and character. But, once
contact is made, there is hope in finding a group where conditions, on
both sides, can be fulfilled.
Although some covens wear robes, the traditional way of working in the
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Circle, is to be sky-clad, or naked. When you are brought into the
Craft, yoou enter as you were born, without clothes or ties of any kind.
The first initiation is virtually an introduction to a new way of life.
You are made a 'Child of the Goddess'; you are shown the tools of the
Craft; told the ways of working magic, and made to swear an oath to keep
the secrets of the Art. This is called the First Degree.
The Second Degree is the initiation proper. Thsis involves the concept
of symbolic death and symbolic resurrection, when you are re-born with
the new magical personality. A new name (of your own choice) is given to
you which represents the transformation, and by which, henceforth, you
will be known when in the Circle.
The drama of this mystery play implants its ideas firmly in the
subconscious mind of the adherent, and the mystery, which is enacted
on the material plane, sets the seal on the future.
It is not to be supposed that by initiation and teaching you will
automatically be 're-born'. A way will be shown, and knowledge
imparted, yet the journey is always 'alone' and the true 'will' tested
to the very brink of breaking point.
In a sense, when initiation takes place it is very much like daring
Fate to do its worst. One has taken a stand: "I announce to all creation
that I will endure to progress."
In witchcraft the soul develops a deeper understanding of 'being'.
This entails practice, which is why the Craft has grades of advancement.
The highest grade is the consummation of the mysteries, where ritual
yields to what is termed, 'The Secret of the Silver Wheel'.
There is also the imparting of certain 'secret' words, which, in
themselves, convey very little, but their secret intention 'is'
important and gently 'nudges' the aspirant onward.

ASC's And Ritual

This article by Anna appeared in Web of Wyrd, issue number 7.
***begins
Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs) are an integral part of ritual. They can be
defined as any mental state recognised by the individual as different from his or
her normal waking consciousness. As such, the act of separating yourself from the
mundane world, having a ritual bath or shower and preparing the ritual space, is
enough to induce some sort of ASC in most people. Taking on a magical persona
involves an ASC, as does invocation of godhead, dancing or chanting to raise power,
meditation, scrying, and going through a guided visualisation or pathworking.
The use of ASCs in magic and ritual has many benefits. By means of a guided
visualisation or pathworking you can have experiences that would harm you or be
impossible in the mundane world. For example, in a visualisation relating to fire
you can stand in the midst of a roaring fire or become the flame itself; experiences
which might deepen your understanding of the element fire. Another experience
reached through ASCs is that of the god or goddess being called down upon you,
something that enriches and enlivens your magical life.

Entering an ASC is normally part of the process of stepping onto the astral plane,
reaching the Otherworld, tapping racial memory or the collective unconscious,
contacting inner guides or obtaining information from your own unconscious. To raise
power, many enter an ASC by dancing, chanting or using breathing techniques. It's
then much easier to focus your concentration, draw on energy, and let it flow
through you and into the object of the spell.
Simple ASCs shouldn't be forgotten. Being able to relax the first time you cast a
circle in front of everyone might help you remember the words, and will certainly
help you focus the power you need. Meditation is another fundamental skill in
magical arts, one that is used at all stages.
Some ASCs can help you find out more about yourself. By doing so, you can understand
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and remove the beliefs and blocks that prevent you from developing, from using your
magical abilities to their full extent. These blocks are erected as part of the
process of growing up. As an example, if you're told often enough as a child that
the fairies that you see at the bottom of the garden don't exist, eventually you
come to believe it. Understanding and getting rid of this belief twenty years later
so that you can see the fairies again can be a long process, one which can be
speeded up by techniques using certain ASCs.
Like many things, ASCs are tools, often valuable, but also dangerous. One danger is
not coming out properly at the end of a ritual. Being in an ASC can feel wonderful
and it can be tempting to stay there. You see it happening at some of the New Age
workshops, where people get a nice emotional spaced-out high from a session, and
hang on to that feeling as long as they can - "workshop junkie". The problem is that
in an ASC you do not always have full access to those parts of yourself needed to
perform mundane tasks like driving a car, or doing your job satisfactorily.
Remaining in an ASC can be quite destructive if you need to function in the "normal"
world.

Occasionally an ASC can trigger what is known as an abreaction in someone. Entering

the ASC removes the barrier the person has put between their conscious mind and a
traumatic experience they've had. As a result the person suddenly goes through the
experience again, bursting into tears, yelling with anger, shivering with fear, and
so on. This sort of reaction needs to be dealt with therapeutically; telling the
person to forget it only makes the experience and any problems it has caused, worse
for them. Not only does the person controlling a group ASC experience need to be
able to handle such abreactions, but he or she also needs to be able, when putting a
new group into ASCs, to recognise individuals with borderline psychoses. The reason
is that putting such people into an ASC, especially trance states, can push them
over into a full-blown psychosis. For example, putting an epileptic into trance can
trigger epileptic seizures.
Control is an important aspect of ASCs. In a ritual, at least one person should
remain in control, able to take over and bring the group out if anything goes wrong.
That person makes sure that no-one is taken over by an entity which remains after
the circle, and that no inappropriate suggestions are made. (In ASCs, especially
trance states, you are much more suggestible, and might inadvertently pick up
someone else's comment as a suggestion - after all, this is the principle upon which
TV advertising is based.) They also make sure that everyone comes out and grounds
properly at the end of the ritual.
Another area where control is important is where an ASC is entered from another ASC.
Pathworking, visualisation and scrying is often more intense, more meaningful, if
done in circle. This is because when you start to do the pathworking or whatever
from a mild ASC instead of your own normal waking state, you tend to go further or
deeper, and thus gain more from the exercise. However, using drugs to enter an ASC
before performing ritual is a completely different matter. Drugs leave you with no
control over the first ASC you enter, so the outcome of entering a second one can be
quite different from what you expected. The harder the drug, the bigger the problem
is likely to be. A drug might, on a rare occasion, have a place in ritual, but only
when the effect of the drug on the person taking it is known, there is a very good
reason for its
use, and someone else is available to deal with any problems that might arise.
Drugs also sap the magical will and discipline by preventing you from learning how
to achieve the results you desire by yourself, and encouraging you to be lazy. In
the end your ritual work suffers.
ASCs are a fundamental part of magical ritual. The basic arts - meditation,
concentration and visualisation - all involve ASCs in some form. It is easy to get
caught up with the glamour of something different, something that feels good, that
is outside our normal experience and upbringing, and forget that, like most things,
there is a negative side to ASCs. They are a tool; useful once you master them, but
dangerous if misused. For many, ASCs have become the basis of their path to
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spiritual development.
***ends
B*B Julia

The Betty Crocker Cult

For the edification and entertainment of all, I am letting you all see one of the
rarest pieces of modern ritual literature today. it is copyrighted 1993, M. Perrin,
Jersey City, NJ.

What Do Betty Crocker Cultists Believe?

For all intents and purposes, Betty crocker Cultists believe whatever I, the
Grand High Ladle, tell them to believe. The B.C.C. is a cult in the truest sense of
the word, with one infallible leader, me. For indeed it was I, Badger Girl, who
received the word of Betty, when I least expected it, right in the middle of an
episode of the French Chef.

Thrust as I was, right in the middle of pagan controversies of all stripes,

it was clear to me that there was something missing in our community as a whole.
That thing was the Kitchen. Not just food, you see, but the Kitchen, with all of its
wondrous utensils, appliances and storage capacities. I knew this to be the answer
to many of today's modern pagan problems. Betty told me so. "Go forth to the stove"
said Betty, and go forth I did, taking most of the women (henceforth to be known as
"Ladies") of Green Man Grove with me, as I hate to eat alone.
And lo! Many splendid things did befall us as we cavorted amidst the
Tupperware. Betty spoke to me as we did, and she sai, "Now you're cookin', kid!",
and of course, She was right. Soon we all tired and Betty took advantage of the
situation (as is Her way) to tell us of her many colleagues in the world of the
"Other Kitchen." She spoke of Oscar Meyer, patron of fathers in the Kitchen, also
She spoke of Lttle Debbie, Goddess of cellophane wrapped snack foods. the tale of
the Pillsbury Doughboy (Poppin' Fresh, to the initiated), the God of phallic foods
that go "Fuff" was revealed to us, as well as the story of Mrs. Paul, Queen of the
Frozen Seas. Betty then bespoke of the twin deities of the most sacred barbecue
flame, Lee & Perrin, and also of Aunt Jemima, keeper of the Holy Syrup (and it was
good!). Finally Betty told us of
that most well preserved of holy mean, Earl Tupper and we were silently awed by the
miracle of the Burp Seal.
Surely did Betty talk a blue streak that fateful day! Then Betty told me
that She had chosen me to be Her Grand High Ladle on this earthly plane, and to
gather around me all the minions I couls strongarm into the Cult. "You and your
initiated minions shall be know to the world as "The Dash Board"!" said Betty. Betty
then explained the hierarchy to be adhered to within the Cult. The lowest initiates
being the "Cups" and all higher initiates gradually getting smaller and smaller
until acheiving "pinchdom" if not actual "dashery." And so,
I said unto Betty, "Sounds good to me!" and she seemed well pleased.
This is how I became the Grand High Ladle. I am chosen by Betty to lead you
to the Kitchen and getyou all cookin'. If you choose to follow, it will be by my say
so and the approval of the Dash Board. The initiation will be grueling and with any
luck, really intimidating. You seeker, may have finally come to the right place,
then again, maybe not, only i can be the judge ofthat.

Badger Girl, Grand High Ladle, BCC

The Berserkir
This letter appeared in Web of Wyrd number 7:

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With reference to the ongoing discussion of the berserkir or "bear shirts" Viking
warrior clan. P G Foote and D M Wilson state in their book, "The Viking Achievement"
(Sidgwick & Jackson UK 1970) that the berserkers worked themselves up into a frenzy
which gave them supernormal strength and made them indifferent to blows. It was
generally believed that they had magical powers, although they were regarded as
inferior to the great heroes of the Viking sagas. The berserkir howled savagely as
they went into battle, and Foote and Wilson speculate that these battle frenzies
were the result of excessive alcoholic intake. According to Icelandic Law (Christian
version) anyone who fell into a
berserk frenzy was considered highly dangerous and could be classed as an outlaw
from society. The following verse from the epic poem "Atlamal" circa 11th century CE
is believed to contain a reference to the berserkir and their method of fighting, as
well as to another warrior clan who wore wolf skins, and may be connected with
lycanthropy!

Full they were of fighters

and flashing bucklers,
western war lances
and wound-blades Frankish;
cried then the bear-pelted,
carnage they had thoughts of,
wailed then the wolf-coated
and weapons brandished.
It would seem the berserkir wore tunics of bearskin because the animal was their
totem and they believed they could magically attain its strength. Their unorthodox
fighting methods - akin to the "battle spasm" of Celtic warriors possessed by the
god/desses of war - and the modern meaning of the term "to go berserk" suggest they
were less than self-controlled but in fact fought, quite literally, like men
possessed.
Mike Howard
QUANTUM MECHANICS
AND SOME
SURPRISES OF CREATION
Cross posted from I_UFO, by Glenda Stocks, again By Bill Moore
Scanned from the CONTACT, June 14,1994, with permission.

SYNTHESIS OF SCIENCE AND RELIGION

[...]
... we will define this writing as simply an interesting look
into quantum-statistical methods of simulating energy-informational
processes.
... Boris Iskakov who was born in Magnitogorsk on November 14, 1934.
He is a graduate of the Institute of Physical Engineering in Moscow.

... In this work he endeavors to synthesize elements of science

and religion. Dr. Iskakov has recently been interrogated and we
would share the interview with you.
... The interview comes from Russian documents so we will meander
through the translations as best we can and at least you will be
introduced to such as "leptons", etc.
[...]
[QUOTING]
MATHEMATICAL TRANSFORMATIONS

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The equations of Schrodinger and Dirac, well known in quantum
physics, describe the laws of the conservation of probability for
fluxes of matter at the level of elementary particles of the
microworld. By means of certain mathematical transformations I
(Dr. Iskakov) obtained equivalent equations of a much broader
applicability. They describe the laws of the conservation of
probability for fluxes of matter, energy, and information. The
equations have a deep philasophical meaning, which extends far
beyond the interpretation of the Schrodinger and Dirac equations. An
appropriate name for them is, in my view, suggested by a doctrine
of Oriental philosophy--karma. In a narrow sense, it claims that
every deed or thought, good or bad, receives due reward or
retribution. In a broader sense, it denotes the principle of unity,
integrity, and inter-conditionality and causality in the Universe.
That is how I construe the term "equations of karma", which
describe any cause-and-effect relationship.
WHAT IS THE "EQUATION OF KARMA"?
The study of psychic phenomena dictated the need to define the
concept of the information-energy field. Its material medium,
according to contemporary notions, may be a global lepton gas,
consisting of extremely light particles, microleptons, with a mass
of 10^-40 - 10^-30 g. Microleptons are much lighter than electrons
and are capable af freely penetrating any body in the Universe. The
gaps between atomic nuclei are for them just as spacious as are the
holes in a fishing net for molecules of air.
The idea of a microlepton gas appears to echo the 19th-century
notion of the universal ether, but is scientifically much more
complex and profound. What we are talking about in this case is no
longer an ideal space-pervading fluid, but a quantum-granular
structure of the space-time continuum, filled with whirling streams
of polarized microleptons (including some virtually vacuum-born).

Such an approach enables us to use the mathematical apparatus of

quantum mechanics to describe the information-energy field.
Moreover, relationships of a higher level of generalization are
derived than the classical equations of Schrodinger. The new
equations describe not only the movements of matter, but also the
development of the totality of interconnections, signals, events,
and processes. The special term introduced for such relationships
is "equations of karma". As for karma, it is understood to mean a
broad philosophical category of universal inter-conditionality,
causality, and dependence in combination with the principle of the
unity and integrity of the Universe. There are two equations of
karma--the direct and the complex-conjugated:
GS> (NOTE: I have substituted regular letters for the Dr.'s
GS> symbols)
AY=0; A'Y'=0;
where the operators have the form
A=2h^2V + i2h o/o t-9;
A'=2h^2V - i2h o/o t-9.
Here Y denotes the probability density wave (the wave function);
V, the Laplace operator; 9, the potential energy density, and h,
Planck's constant.
These equations may be solved in the form of karma waves and
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anti-waves with quantization of probability waves. Connected with
them are perturbations of the information-energy field, i.e., wave
signals. In principle, such signals may propagate faster than light.
The equations of karma make it possible to draw certain
philosophical conclusions of fundamental significance. It follows
from them that diffraction takes place not only in space but also in
time. Any event is, so to speak, split in space-time. The
propagation of a solitary signal is preceded by a series of pre-
signals and followed by post-signals, both fading with distance.
Perceptive analysts are able to use the first intimations of
pre-signals to give a precise picture of a coming event. This is
called scientific foresight. But there is also intuitive prevision.
Centuries ago clairvoyants described events that are happening in
our time.
Pre-signals provide an explanation of relative proscopy--when a
sensitive person learns about an event before others do. Such a
person detects faint pre-signals that most people do not perceive.

For instance, an explosion on the Sun may produce solar prominences

extending for millions of kilometers. Two or three days later the
"solar wind" reaches the Earth, causing powerful geomagnetic
storms that affect everything living. During such periods, disease
and mortality rates increase in all countries.
This dependence of everything living upon solar catastrophes was
proved several decades ago by Alexander Chizhevsky. Can we learn of
the approaching "solar winds" in advance? It appears that we can.
The solar wind has presignals: swift streams of solar photons an
neutrinos, which reach the Earth in eight minutes. By detecting them
it is possible to warn the medical services of all countries of an
imminent geomagnetic storm two or three days in advance, ample
time to take the necessary measures.
From the theoretical standpoint the works of the eminent Russian
researcher Anatoly Okhatrin are of definite interest. They confirm
the idea of an ether or universal lepton gas, which contains full
information about the material world. Clusters of the lightest par-
ticles--microleptons--carry people's thoughts and feelings; these
microleptons are capable of travelling in space and time at
tremendous speeds.
The speed of light is a limiting factor only for a continuous stream
of speeds, the so-called continuum. However, greater speed levels,
in excess of the speed of light, are possible for extremely weak
signals.
Okhatrin's experiments and calculations show that people's thoughts
are carried by the lightest microleptons. And the equations of karma
prove that they can travel much faster than light. This justifies
the conclusion that humanity's potential in getting to understarnd
the Universe is practically boundless.
Up to now it was considered that our potential in the conquest of
outer space is limited by what is known as the pessimistic radius
of Poincare-Einstein. If we multiply the speed of light by the
human life span, we arrive at the limit that even the most sophis-
ticated spaceships cannot surpass. No generation of spacemen can
explore the Universe beyond that radius [it says].
But from the equations of karma it follows that at the level of
extremely weak signals we can reach out far beyond the Poincare-
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Einstein sphere. Material thought can travel to distant regions of
the Universe at a speed greater than that of light. Man can obtain
information about what is happening at any distance from him. This
is a fundamental philosophical conclusion that allows humanity to
look to the future with optimism.
I arrived at this conclusion by considering the equations of karma.
But then, many scientists before me have reflected on the
synthesis of science and religion, among them the founders of
quantum physics. What are termed the conjugated equations of
Schrodinger and Dirac point to the possibility of the existence of
anti-particles. Similarly, the conjugated equation of karma suggests
that there can be anti-signals as well as anti-particles. More-
over, this equation makes it possible to describe the spectrum of
properties that these anti-signals possess. While ordinary signals
travel along the river of time from the past via the present into
the future, anti-signals travel in the opposite direction. They
originate in the future and pass through the present into the past.
This property of anti-signals stuns our imagination: certain
particularly sensitive people and instruments can, it turns out,
receive signals from the future.
Previsions, predictions, and prophesies come under the scientific
heading of absolute proscopy, which implies the acquisition of
information about events that have not yet taken place. They have
yet to occur, but sensitives already know about them.
The problem is merely one of the threshold of sensitivity and the
balance of signals and noise. Anti-signals come from the future at
a faint and very faint level. Very few people can detect them.
There is no violation here of the principle of causality. Rather,
its interpretation becomes more sophisticated and more refined
dialectically. According to the equations of karma, time in the
microworld can reverse its direction, turning, as it were, into
"anti time". From a single point it is possible to see both the past
and the future of microparticles at the same time.
We can receive information about the future only at the
probability level. Only the strategic parameters of a human fate are
pre-determined. But freedom of choice too is preserved: a person is
free to take any decisions and bears full responsibility for them.
A person shapes his or her destiny and pays for the consequences of
those decisions. Thus, there is a predetermined part of the future,
which a person cannot change, and there is a probable or variable
part, for which he is responsible.
Solving stationary equations can yield curious results. Waves
emitted and absorbed by hundreds of biologically active points are
superimposed on one another and form a series of standing waves,
which surround the human body. The body turns out to be nothing more
than a dense nucleus shrouded on all sides by a number of
energy-information holograms. The shape of the first hologram
follows that of the human body, but is enlarged and rounded,
remotely resembling a spacesuit. Actually, this hologram contains
all the information about the body and is carried by microleptons
orbiting along the quantum shell, the boundary of the first
hologram. The second hologram and its shell are larger and carry
weakened information, which is more difficult to decipher. The
same may be said of the third and subsequent shells. The more remote
shells are more rounded in shape, changing from a spacesuit to an
egg and then to a sphere. Our atomic-molecular body is "clad" in
microlepton holograms, each of which carries complete but weakened
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information about the person, including his or her innermost
thoughts and feelings, his or her mind and conscience. It may be
said that the sum-total of these holograms is nothing short of a
person's lepton soul.

Ordinarily, people do not see the energy-information shells that

surround them. But in certain conditions it is possible to make the
first hologram glow, especially the part of it surrounding a
person's head. The fact is that upper chakras, the most
power-intensive, operate at the highest frequencies. Some people
have a first quantum shell that can become visible.

Estimates show that the energy of the first shell amounts to

fractions of an electron-volt. This is quite enough for a faint glow
in the optical range of the spectrum. But for the glow to become a
reality a great deal of energy has to be pumped into the upper
chakras. This means a person has to adopt a definite mode of life:
overcome base passions, and make his or her thoughts, feelings,
and deeds pure, lofty and inspired. It is in that case that the
energy of the upper chakras causes the excitation of the first shell
by fractions of an electron-volt, and a halo visible to other people
appears around the head of such a person (for example, a saint).
In Christian art, only part of the hologram around the head is
usually portrayed as glowing. But in Buddhist temples, there are
pictures showing the whole spacesuit-shaped hologram aglow.
The most ancient Buddhist manuscripts speak of a person's seven
bodies: one dense and six subtle. The first hologram is called the
ethereal body; the second, the astral body; the third, the mental
body, and so forth. The lepton hypothesis allows a larger number of
holograms.

Judging from the equations of karma, we humans are infinitely

"larger" and our lives are infinitely longer than we are accustomed
to think. This means that each person is a factor of Cosmic
significance.

Moreover, analysis reveals that inanimate objects as well as Homo

Sapiens and other living beings have holograms of this kind.
Consider the implications of this. If each body is present, at the
information level, throughout the Cosmos, then in every small region
of space-time there must be, if only super-weak, information about
the entire Universe.

Gautama Buddha's famous dictum states "everything is in

everything" and, hence, "everything is in the small." In an expanded
form this may be taken to mean that every point of space-time
"knows" everything about all the other points.

But if every zone of space "knows" everything, it is a most

complete encyclopaedia, in infinite storage of knowledge about the
Universe . All that is needed is to learn how to plug into this
source of information, which can tell a person about anything and
everything in the world.

It follows from the lepton hypothesis that the soul is real and
material. A human being, in the customary sense of the term, is
nothing but a dense nucleus around which streams of leptons
circulate. The totality of lepton shells is a cold bioplasma,
which contains complete information about the nucleus. Thus, it
can be termed a person's lepton soul. This notion has a quite
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precise materialistic content.
According to the lepton concept, thoughts and feelings are material.
They are carried by superweak pulses of electromagnetic and
microlepton fields. Visual, audible, and other images, and all
thoughts and feelings, exist in the form of clusters of superlight
elementary particles. This brings to mind Plato's inspired guess
that all eidoses, i.e., ideas or thoughts, exist autonomously,
"float in the air" and recognize no boundaries.
Plato intuitively arrived at that conclusion over two thousand years
ago. Today we can put this into the language of mathematical
formulae. We can measure the mass of a single human thought. Its
weight varies from 10^-30 to 10^-40 g. To be sure, the opinion of
sensitives and Okhatrin's experiments cannot serve as proof. Similar
investigations have to be carried out at other laboratories. This
will furnish the statistical data for reliable conclusions. If they
confirm Okhatrin's findings, he will become the author of the
greatest discovery of the latter half of the 20th century.

Thoughts and feelings generated by human beings begin their

independent existence in space and time. Both theory and experi-
ments show that these eidoses are capable of exchanging information.
What is most important of all is that one person's thoughts can
occur to other people. Eidoses are like small living beings, but at
the lepton level of matter. Thoughts and feelings are our offspring,
who communicate with one another and with us in a language of
super-weak signals.
Estimates show that during a lifetime a person generates millions
and even billions of eidoses. This makes it clear that we bear an
enormous responsibility before the whole of humankind and before
ourselves for what our offspring, i.e., our thoughts and feelings,
will be like.
When our offspring are noble eidoses of kindness, love, mercy,
mutual assistance, truth, beauty, and harmony, we contribute to the
health of humanity's leptonosphere. But when we beget malformed
eidoses, i.e., evil, envious, cowardly, vain, and arrogant thoughts
and feelings, we thereby pollute the leptonosphere we inhabit.
Should the negative eidoses exceed a certain critical mass,
humankind will be doomed. At present our survival depends to a great
extent on the ecology of the spirit.
Here we also come up against a legal problem. Mere criminal intent
is not yet a crime at the atomic-molecular level, but when a person
conceives, say, a murder, he or she spawns criminal eidoses, which
contaminate humankind's leptonosphere.
That is why when someone steers a nation or country onto a road
leading to disaster, that person commits the gravest offence above
all against the whole of humanity. Although economic and
political catastrophe is still many years off, it has already
taken place at the lepton level, in the public mind. The collapse of
a vast State can contaminate humanity's leptonosphere to such a
degree that humanity's very existence becomes threatened. And no
clan, no state, nor coalition that conceived such a crime against
other nations can survive.
The lepton hypothesis can provide a scientific explanation of the
essence of God. When congregations gather in their temples, they
create eidoses of prayer, which assemble into a collective
egregor-eidos of a deity. When millions of people worship it, the
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material deity eidos acquires tremendous energy at the lepton level
of matter. There arises feedback: a believer not only supplies the
deity with energy, but receives genuine assistance from it upon
supplication. There exist eidoses of Christ, Buddha, and Allah, and
they actually interact with their Worshippers when the latter tune
into the proper frequencies. This is something like a deposit in a
savings bank--it helps the client at at a time of need. The
microlepton "savings bank" is not responsible for other banks'
clients: there is no resonance correspondence between them. Alien
gods hold no power over a flock--only their own God has such powers.

Gods, thus, actually exist at the lepton level of matter. In fact,

the world religions describe different aspects of one and the same
Supreme Rational Being. All the people of the Earth worship a single
God, but in His multiple manifestations.
After the death of a person's atomic-molecular nucleus, his or her
lepton holograms may take different courses. Some of them may
likewise disintegrate. But this happens only to the holograms that
are made up of the heavier microleptons. Estimates show that the
relatively heavy holograms have a natural half-life of seven to nine
days; their ninety-nine percent decay takes about forty days.
Thus, the meaning of the funeral repast on the 9th and the 40th day
(in accordarnce with the Orthodox faith) is that the living emit
eidoses that recharge the dead person's soul with energy and
information to help it undergo the necessary changes in the lepton
world. Thanks to these rites, relatively heavy lepton holograms can
survive much longer. A reliable supply of living people's thoughts
and feelings can extend the life span of the heavy fractions of a
dead person's soul from forty days to several millennia. As long as
a person is remembered and his or her days of birth and death are
observed, that person's soul is preserved almost intact, just as it
was when the person was alive. One can communicate with it by means
of special techniques known to mystics.
The soul also has medium and light fractions. We cannot yet
verify this experimentally, but there is reason to think that
their half-lives and total decay periods are much longer than those
of the heavy fractions. It is even quite possible that the lightest
fractions live eternally--the soul is immortal according to all the
world religions. So far science cannot confirm or deny this in
strict terms. This problem remains unsolved and requires an
experimental solution.
[END OF QUOTING]

(Hatonn's comments)
The next most logical question might well be , "Isn't there any way
to measure this lepton energy or aura?" Yes indeed and again the
only ALLOWED presentation comes silently from Russia. There are two
scientists--the engineer and inventor Uri Kravchenko and the
physician Nikolai Kalashchenko--who have developed an original
instrument: the phase aurometer. This is a highly sensitive instru-
ment for the remote measurement of the electromagnetic radiation
of any object, biological included. The instrument and the method
are protected by a Certificate of Authorship issued in 1990. This
is an easy-to-prove concept and because of this implication I will
not introduce much about it other than generalities about which
much has been shared. This is something which Dr. Young has already
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devised though he doesn't recognize it as this and I would think
would remind our own "tinkerers" that this is nothing more than a
measuring device or a production device for electro-magnetic
fields MEASURED IN HERTZ.

The particular phase aurometer in point is only for measurement or

recordimhg a "patient's" own radiation by a contact-free method and
has no impact whatever on the environment. BUT, LISTEN UP: THE
APPLICATIONS OF THE PHASE AUROMETER CAN BE CONSIDERABLY EXPANDED
FURTHER INTO, FOR EXAMPLE, DOWSING, TESTING FOLK HEALERS AND
SENSITIVES AND SUCH SEEMINGLY DISTANT FIELDS AS AGRICULTURAL
SELECTION OR CONSTRUCTION AND PERFORMANCE SUPERVISION.
I am not going to publish this information in general format as
above. However, I do ask that several of the attached "tinkerers" be
supplied with the documentation. We need to introduce frequency
upgrading into seed for crops, etc. This is easily done but someone
has to do it and I cannot spend time educating those at random
distance. So, please make sure that Dr. Young, Dr. Hoffman, Dr.
James and Dr. Trelle are made privy to the document in point. Thank
you. It will seem quite primitive to you ones--but sometimes
simplicity is where we must RE-begin in order to conceptually change
directions. I salute you for your patience.

Origin: CRYSTAL CAVE "DAS MAGICAL TREFTPUNKT" 719-391-1092 (93:9900/0)

This article appeared in Web of Wyrd number 7

THE KNOTS OF DEATH

by Alby Stone

A number of Viking monuments feature a curious design known as the valknut, the
"knot of the slain" or, more loosely, "the knot of death". On an 8th century CE
picture stone from Hammers in Larbro, Gotland, it consists of three interlocking
triangles. This stone, now in Stockholm's National Historical Museum, is divided
into several panels; one of the central panels, in which the valknut occurs, depicts
several motifs that suggest some sort of connection with the cult of Odin - an
eagle, a flying figure - possibly a valkyrie - holding a ring, a man being hanged
from a tree and a group of three warriors - with shields and upraised swords - led
by a fourth man who seems to be holding a large bird of some kind. The valknut is
adjacent to the eagle and below it are two men, one with a spear, who appear to be
engaged in placing a corpse
inside what looks like a burial mound. Between them and the hanged man is what
appears to be another, smaller, valknut of the same design. This type can also be
seen on a rather splendid golden ring discovered near Peterborough, Cambs, and
currently on display at the British Museum in a cabinet labelled as containing
Anglo-Saxon "secular" metalwork. Another picture stone from Gotland (Tangelgarda
also in Larbro) has a panel showing a rider being welcomed by a woman holding a
drinking horn with four men who are holding rings. The woman may be a valkyrie, a
"chooser of the slain", one of whose functions was to serve ale to the Warriors in
Valhalla, another pointer to the cult of Odin. The rider has a valknut behind his
head and there are two more among his horse's legs. On this stone, which can also be
seen at the Swedish Museum, the valknut
is made up of a single line, interlaced to make three triangles.
Similar to the Tangelgarda design, but slightly more rounded, is that carved onto
one of several "hogback" monuments at Brompton, Yorkshire, and probably dating from
the 10th century CE. The end-beasts of this particular hogback - these monuments are
based on Viking Age houses (although to this eye they have more than a passing
resemblance to long barrows) and the end-beasts are situated at what would be the
gable ends - are easily identifiable as bears, again suggesting the cult of Odin,
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who was patron of the Warriors known as berserkr or "bear-shirts". The purpose of
the hogbacks is uncertain; no graves have been found with them so they were
certainly not tombstones. Hogbacks with undecorated ends at Lythe in Yorkshire
exactly match the shafts of crosses found at the same site, indicating that the
hogback formed a composite monument
with a cross at each end. In this case the hogback is certainly a religious monument
and it seems fair to suppose that the Brompton hogback and its fellows, and
similarly ended hogbacks elsewhere, are also religious structures, albeit of a
different faith.

The Brompton hogback has five valknuts in a row. The Brompton style valknut also
occurs on each of the four arms of the Gosworth Cross (Cumbria), on both faces. The
shaft of the cross strangely enough has scenes from heathen myth, and the only
remotely Christian looking scene, which has been rather desperately identified as
the Crucifixion, seems to owe more to the rune-winning ordeal of Odin described in
the heathen poem "Havamal" than it does to the New Testament. The same type of
valknut appears on the shafts of crosses at Sockburn (Co Durham), Lastingham,
Hawsker and Brompton (all North Yorks). On the last, three of these valknuts are
arranged in a triangular pattern.

A fourth type of valknut, rather different from those described so far, occurs on a
stone cross from Andreas on the Isle of Man and is now in the Manx Museum, Douglas.
This version is basically a simple knot "tied" in such a way as to retain the basic
tripartite structure of the versions mentioned above. Unlike the others it is not a
closed structure but its identity as a valknut, while mildly contentious, is not
really in doubt. The scene in which it appears shows a man, evidently Odin, holding
a spear pointing downward as he is devoured by a great wolf. An eagle perches on the
man's shoulder and the valknut is at his side. The same design appears elsewhere, on
a stone discovered in 1822 at Gosforth and now incorporated into the structure of
the local church. It is between the back legs of a horse. On a picture stone from
Alskog, in Gotland, it occurs twice among the eight legs of Odin's horse, Sleipnir.
Despite this seeming wealth of examples and the diversity of styles the valknut
itself has remained enigmatic. It seems to be associated with horses, particularly
with the steed of Odin, and the cult of Odin in general. Motifs associated with the
symbol include the hanged man, valkyries, bears, and the scene from Ragnarok on the
Manx Cross, all indicating some connection with Odin. According to HR Ellis
Davidson, the valknut also appears on the funeral ship excavated at Oseberg,
Norway in 1904, and on the tapestry found in that vessel, indicating some sort of
funerary association.

The origin and meaning of the symbol are extremely difficult to discern, as is its
association with Odin. Obviously it has a decorative value as distinct from its
symbolic meaning. The valknut has been used as a motif by Scandinavian weavers since
the Viking Age. Indeed, it is recognised as a traditional design in that part of the
world quite apart from its alleged occurrence on the Oseberg tapestry. Davidson
opines that it is related to the Celtic triskele, the three-legged symbol most
familiar as the emblem of the Isle of Man and linked with the Irish God of the sea,
Manannan. The triskele is essentially a variety of the swastika, a common enough
cosmological symbol, but neither can be said to possess the characteristic
interweaving of the valknut. While it may be unwise to dismiss a possible
relationship between triskele and valknut, it
must be said that any resemblance is purely superficial, lying solely in their
tripartite structures. Structurally the valknut has more in common with the Celtic
triple spiral motif which is also found on Old English and Pictish artifacts and
much older objects. Unfortunately there is a dearth of hard evidence for the
mythological or religious significance of the triple spiral, which tends to occur
within wholly abstract or symbolic designs, but it occurs within funerary contexts
and has been linked with the female principle by various scholars. The various types
of valknut, their contexts aside, share two important characteristics: they are
tripartite and they are constructed by
interweaving or interlinking.
Davidson also postulates a link with the bindings that occur in Norse
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tradition. The best known examples of this are probably the binding of Loki
following his betrayal of Baldr; the binding of Baldr himself, a theme that found
itself into Scandinavian and Old English interpretations of the Crucifixion; the
binding of the wolf Fenrir; the ritual binding of sacrificial victims, as partly
confirmed by the discovery of bound corpses in the peat bogs of northern Europe; and
the Herjoturr or "war fetter", a kind of paralysis that Odin and the valkyries were
said to be able to inflict upon unfavoured warriors in the heat of battle. To these
we might add the hangman's noose characteristic of the double sacrifice -
simultaneous hanging and stabbing - known to have been used in the cult of Odin and
a method of ritual killing that accords with
the condition of a number of bog corpses. One bog discovery, the severed head of a
man discovered at Osterby in Denmark, is very interesting; the hair on the right
side of the head is gathered into an elaborate knot that looks very much like a
valknut.

Tacitus, writing at about the time the Osterby man is believed to have met his end,
about the 1st century CE, tells us that the warriors of the Suebi (a generic name
for the Germanic tribes inhabiting the region now occupied roughly by north western
Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands) tied their hair in such a knot, and a number
of Roman monuments depict Germanic warriors with the same hairstyle. It would be
reasonable to suppose that this hair-knot marked a warrior as a follower of an early
form of Odin in his role of war god. (See the author's article on "Heretical
Hairdos" in Talking Stick magazine Spring 1992 for a further discussion of pagan
hairstyles and the symbolic significance.)

The noose found around the neck of the Lindow Man unearthed from a peat bog in
Cheshire a few years ago consists of a sliding knot in a cord knotted at each end,
making a triple knot. A similar noose was found on a body in a peat bog at
Borremose, Denmark but the noose found on another Danish corpse, from Tollund, is
much simpler. Dr Anne Ross and Dr Don Robins, along with the Danish archaeologist
Professor P V Glob, believe that these nooses are related to the Celtic torc, and
note that a number of torcs seem to be designed to look like garrottes. They suggest
that the corpses from Tollund and Borremose were sacrifices to Nerthus, a goddess
mentioned by Tacitus, and that the torc was an
attribute of that goddess. Tacitus also tells us that certain warriors of the Chatti
wore iron collars that would not be removed until they had killed their first enemy,
although many chose to wear them until they died. In their case the collar probably
indicated they were dedicated to a god of war as opposed to a goddess of peace and
plenty like Nerthus. It would be rash to state unequivocally that the collar and
torc represent stylised versions of the noose or garrotte - but it is an attractive
proposition. However, torcs and collars are not valknuts, and only the nooses found
on Lindow Man and his Danish counterpart can possibly be construed as being such.
It seems fairly certain that the valknut has a cultic or religious significance and
a particular association with death, as it name alone indicates. The Andreas Cross
shows the death of Odin, himself the Lord of the Dead Warriors of Valhalla, and on
the Alskog stone the valknut appears by the feet of Sleipnir, the steed on which
Odin, and also Heimdall, rode to the land of Hel. It is seen by the hanged man and
in the funerary scene on the stone from Hammars and on the Tangalgarda stone the
rider seems to be receiving a welcome to the realm of
the dead. The scenes often include female figures who appear to be valkyries or
maybe even the death goddess Hel herself. The presence of the valknut on Viking Age
crosses in England and on the Brompton hogback hints at a retention of this element
of heathen iconography among the adherents of the new cult.

The valknut is certainly part of the iconography associated with Odin but that fact
alone brings us no nearer to its meaning. Representations of Odin and scenes from
myths pertaining to him are common enough and their components are usually readily
identifiable. If the valknut does stem from the cult or mythology of Odin, then it
must represent something that cannot be given a pictorial rendering, either because
of a taboo or simply because it just cannot be pictured in anything but an abstract
form.

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The form is tripartite and interwoven; the context is mortuary, Odinic and
Otherworldly and it has both equine and feminine associations. This set of
conditions is peculiar to the mythology of the World Tree and can be related to
certain beings associated with it. The World Tree is Yggdrasill or "The Steed of the
Fearful One", which makes it a doublet of Sleipnir. It has three roots which link
the worlds together. According to Snorri Sturlson, each root leads to a well or
spring; Hvergemir in Niflheim; Mimisbrunnr "in the direction of the frost ogres",
and Urdabrunnr "in the sky", the Well at which the three
Nornir gather to decide the fates of humans and gods alike.
Now it is clear from a number of references that these three wells are in fact only
one under three different names. A consideration of their locations clinches the
argument. Hvergelmir is the primordial well, situated in the north, according to
Snorri's account of the creation of the cosmos. The nature of the "frost ogres"
means that they can also be located in the cold north, and the central point of the
revolving sky is also in the north, at the Pole Star. The Nornir derive their
collective name from an archaic word meaning "north" which also denotes "that which
is below" (compare English nether, be-neath). The name of the goddess Nerthus (a
goddess of the earth) reported by Tacitus may also be so derived.
While the Nornir each have individual names in England, they go by the name
allocated to the eldest in Norse Tradition. The elder of the three is called Urdr by
the Norse, which is cognate with the Old English "wyrd", hence the three "weird
sisters" of Shakespeare. Thus they are a three-in-one being in the same way as the
Irish war goddesses known as the Morrigna. Like the other, inevitably triadic, Indo
European fates, the Nornir spin and weave destinies. One of them is also named as a
valkyrie.
This brings us back to Odin, himself a shaper of destinies. In the
"Gylfaginnning" section of Snorri's "Edda" he appears in a triadic guise and is
credited with having taken a drink from the well at the centre of the world, one
source of his wisdom. Odin acquired the wisdom of the runes while hanging on the
World Tree and could obtain information from the dead. The latter - apart from those
worthy fighters chosen to carouse in Valhalla until Ragnarok (the Twilight of the
Gods) and those who ended up in the paradisal Odainsakr, or abode of the righteous
dead, the hall Gimle - resided with the dread goddess Hel in the underground realm
variously known as Niflhel, Niflheim or simply as Hel located in the far north. This
goddess of the dead was said to be Loki's offspring, conceived and born while he was
in the form of a mare following a dangerously mischievous escapade.
Actually she can be traced back to proto-Indo-European times and her original name
has been reconstructed as Kolyo, "the coverer". As Bruce Lincoln puts it in his
book, "Death, War and Sacrifice" (1991), "Her domain is underground and she
physically conveys her victims thence by fixing a snare or noose on their bodies
and dragging them down. Her bonds regularly fall upon the foot or neck of the
victim, the same places where domestic animals are fettered. The deceased are thus
led away like animals by Death, in whose bonds they may struggle, but which they
cannot escape, caught in her snares and dragged under."

Lincoln presents an impressive body of evidence to support this summary, from

Ancient Greece, Rome, Scandinavia, India and Iran. The theme has altered from place
to place and from one age to another but the essence has remained. He also notes
that the Middle High German term for a noose was "helsing", which he translates as
"Hel's Sling". He argues that German sacrifice by hanging, generally related to Odin
or Woden, was actually a ritual enactment of the seizing of the victim by the
goddess of death. Given the mutual concerns of Odin, Hel and the Nornir, it seems to
make little difference either way.
In Old English texts the term "wyrd" is, despite its other connotations,
frequently used to denote death rather than a structured and unfolding future that
is suggested by the functions of the Nornir and their Greek and Roman counterparts.
There is of course an intimate relationship between the two concepts and death is
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after all the fate of every being. Scandinavian myth makes it clear that there are
only two things which the gods cannot avert; fate and death. In Norse myth the name
of the senior Norn is Urdr, a word in Old Icelandic that can also denote a burial
mound or cairn. "Beowulf" and other texts characterise wyrd as a weaving of webs but
the word usually means nothing less than the moment of death, or at least the events
leading up to death.
The "Beowulf" motif is revealing, however; it has already been noted that the fates
tend to be spinners or weavers and in this instance there is also the idea of a
snare, which can refer back to the Indo-European goddess of death as described by
Lincoln. Like Hel, the Nornir reside in the far north, at or near the celestial axis
and like her they reside "below ground", where the World Tree has its roots. The
Nornir determine life, span and the time of death, while Hel takes the dead to her
cold bosom. All these characteristics are shared to some extent with Odin, as is
their femininity, apparently adopted by Odin in order to engage in seidr - the
natural magic of womankind.
At the very least, Hel and the Nornir are closely related, perhaps even
deriving from the same proto Indo-European goddess, and Odin has acquired some of
their characteristics by virtue of his association with the cosmic centre, the
structure of which reflects their own nature. If the valknut symbolises anything
then, it is probably either wyrd, death, or perhaps even the Nornir themselves, who
are more or less the same as wyrd anyway. Exactly when the valknut would have come
to represent these is difficult to estimate. Certainly the examples here all date
from the Viking Age and appear to range in time from about the 7th to the 10th
centuries CE. I am not aware of any valknuts of a significantly earlier date. It is
interesting that in England the use of the valknut seems to have died out with the
establishment of Christianity and the consequent decline of heathenism. The Nornir
are not represented pictorially anywhere in the Germanic world, which is rather
surprising. A panel of the Franks Casket shows three hooded figures who might be
intended as a likeness of that fateful trinity, but it is by no means certain. Until
any conclusive artifacts come to light the truth of the matter must remain as
uncertain as the workings of the Fates themselves.
Memorial Day Ritual
This is a copy of the script written for a Memorial Day and
Warrior's Honor Ceremony performed at the Heartland Pagan
Festival in 1992. It was written during the festival by She-Wolf
and Gary Stanfield, and is the latest of a few editions.
This ceremony was intended for participation by any persons who
can accept the Wiccan ceremonial format and who have been
or are likely to become touched deeply by war. Realistic acceptance,
loving reconciliation, and emotional catharsis are the major themes.
Fears, regrets, sympathies, feelings of caring, and grievings are dealt
with intensely. Adventure, patriotism, the joy of battle, etc.
are ignored.
The setting is outdoors in mid-morning light in a clearing among trees.
There is a fire in the center of the temple space and an altar at
the northernmost point of the circle.
MARTIAL HONOR CEREMONY
1. Defining of the Temple Space and Time.
All participants form into a circle as a drum beats slowly and
steadily (about one beat per second). When the time comes to
start, the HPS breaks from the circle and begins to define its
outer limits with a sword. After she has just begun, the priest
raises an old, rust-marked sword into the air -- this cues the first
speakers. Alternating male and female voices call out (one from
each quarter as the HPS passes):
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"Thermopylae!"
"Gettysburg!"
"Desert Storm!"
"Uncounted thousands of battles! Uncounted thousands of wars!
Over uncounted thousands of years!"
Then the HP puts down his sword as the HPS rejoins the circle.
2. Calling of the Quarters.
The priestess, taking one step forward from
her position next to the altar says:
"Guardians of the East, Spirits of Air
Breath of life, lost to those who have died
attend our rite and protect this circle."

"Guardians of the South, spirits of fire

Heat of battle, warmth of living flesh
attend out rite and protect our circle."
"Guardians of the West, spirits of water
Sweat of our bodies, blood that was spilled
Attend our rite and protect our circle."

"Guardians of the North, spirits of Earth

Symbolized by salt, once the soldier's pay
Earth to which we all return
Attend our rite and protect our circle."
HPS then asks attendees to sign themselves, sealing their auras.
[This can be done with a pentagram, hammer sign, or other sigil]. She
returns to her place by the altar.
3. Interdenominational Invocation of a War Deity.
HP takes one step forward from his position next to the altar and says:
"As we must accept the parts of our psyches associated with our
pasts in war, we must honor deities of war in our pantheons.
We honor you -- Athena, Indra, Woden, Mars, Morrigu, and
many others. Please come to us now."
Someone costumed and equipped to portray a war deity emerges
from the circle to near the center of the temple space and says:
"Now also honor those humans who were honorably involved in warfare:
Those who were your enemies and those who were your friends;
Those who volunteered and those who were pushed by circumstances;

Those who were heroes and those who were just in it;
Those who fought and those who only stood ready;
Those who survived war and those who did not;
Those uncounted millions of your times and of times past --

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They have no need to be ashamed."
"Do not admire mindless rape, plunder, nor terrorizing. Do not admire
raids upon the defenseless -- although in war some predation is necessary."

"And since there is no shame in being a victim of a mighty tide,

you shall extend compassion to refugees and other civilian and
military victims."
"Raise your right fists into the air to salute honorable warriors
and to civilian heroes and heroines." (War deity raises his/her
right fist as this order is given. After the deity drops the salute,
the others drop it also).
"Give the salute of embrace to signify compassion for refugees and other
victims." (War deity crosses his/her arms over his/her chest to signal
the start of the salute of embrace and everyone else does as the war
deity does. The war deity signals the end of the salute by dropping it).
War deity returns to circle.

5. Closing.
HP: "We thank the war deities for their attendance."
HPS: "Let us be mindful that sometimes the warrior is the victim also."
"Spirits of air, we thank you for your attendance. Receive in peace
the spirits of those who were raised on funeral platforms. We bid
you hail and farewell."
"Spirits of fire, we thank you for your attendance. Receive in
peace those whose funeral pyres burned brightly. We bid you hail
and farewell."
"Spirits of water, we thank you for your attendance, Receive in
peace those lost or buried at sea. We bid you hail and farewell."
"Spirits of Earth, we thank you for your attendance. Receive in peace
those buried in the earth. Mother earth, return to us again in new
forms, if it be their will, the spirits of those who have fallen."
"For those who have fallen!" (She pours wine on the fire in the
center of the temple space).
"And the bread of compassion for the victims of war." (She
crumbles bread and drops it onto the ground).
HP: "By this ceremony may each of us be strengthened --
deity, spirit, and living human alike."
"Nor this circle is open, but not broken."
"Please ground, and you may hug."

CELTIC WORKSHOP (Internet)

This is an Upload of the first Celtic Workshop on Druids, Oghams and
Divination. Each student was supposed to have already downloaded the
Library 16 files Oghamd.txt (A table of Ogham correspondences),
Fionnw.GIF ( A symbollic representation of Oghams in Circles.) and
Ogham.GIF (A picture showing exactly how each tree Ogham symbol looked.)
In additional to these files, messages were posted in the Section 15
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message board for Ogham correspondence tables by Nigel Pennick, D.J.
Conway, John Matthews, Murray Hope, Douglas Monroe and Edric Thorsson.
A lot of information is contained in these files and messages and
is essential for fully understanding the workshop and discussion. I
recommend reading "The Celts" by Nora Chadwick for historical background
on the Celts as a people. I recommend John Matthews book "Celtic
Shamanism" and also Nigel Pennick's book "Magical Alphabets". More
complete discussions of many of these topics are found in those works.
Due to time constraints, All the prepared material did not get
presented during the Workshop. I have included it here in it's entireity
at the request of the participants and in the interest of completeness.
Before starting the Workshop, we engaged in informal conversation with
the first topic being the book "Life of a Druid Prince". Jehana asked
if I had read this book.
<Start of Workshop>
O'Dubh : Never read the book
Jehana : It's basically an archeological/anthropological study of...
one of those sacrificed humans they pulled out of a peat bog.
SUZAN : hello Jehana!
Jehana : with some interesting speculations as well.
Hello suzan.
Hail!
O'Dubh : I saw an article on it with pictures in Scientific American I
think.
Merry Meet Again Maiden!
Jehana : yes, i think they covered it there, too.
O'Dubh : looks like UFOs are the talk of the town tonight.
Jehana : And The Crone greets the Maiden!
SUZAN : there was a great TLC special on an archeological find like
that
Jehana : suzan is still here.
suzan?
SUZAN : geesh! there are 27 people in that room!
O'Dubh : yes it's a mad house over there
SUZAN : oh just lurking around a bit sorry :)
O'Dubh : I didn't get any advertising here.
Jehana : too busy to stay there. <g>
O'Dubh : had to do it all myself.
Jehana : rilla mentioned it to me when i logged in tonight.
O'Dubh : everytime I log on here I'm bombarded with announcements
but no Celtic Workshop!:(
Hi Susan W!!
Jehana : hey, celtic workshop!!
Susan W.: Hi, just nosey, what's going on?
Jehana : hello susan...
odubh is about to do a celtic ../.
druidic workshop.
O'Dubh : We're gonna be talking about Celts, Druids and the like
Jehana : is it workshop or discussion or both?
Susan W.: Maybe I'll listen in for awhile, already been on over anhour.
O'Dubh : I know how expen$ive it is!<G>
Jehana : same here.
O'Dubh : Well I guess I'm gonna start
Susan W.: What can I learn here?
O'Dubh : You can learn Magick, Shamanism, Oghams, Divination
But it won't happen overnight.
Also Druid type stuff.
There's a lot to cover.
Jehana : (But it doesn't all require connect time) <g>
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O'Dubh : that's right
A lot of the files are in the library or message boards
any way Maybe I should start.
Jehana : ga
O'Dubh : I'm going to upload the announcement first so you can see what
we'll cover.
Susan W.: great
O'Dubh : Dia dhuit, a Kheltoi is ni Kheltoi!
(Hello to all Celts and Non-Celts!)
We are going to be having on-going Work Shops regarding Celtic
Topics of Interest here in the NewAge Forum. I hope to draw you Celts
and NonCelts alike out of the Groves and into the CO's!<G> Time to
share some of that Knowledge we've been hiding!
I plan to touch on the following topics of interest:

CLASS #1
Druids, Oghams, Divinations
CLASS #2
Deities, Shamanism, Magick
CLASS #3
History, Warriors, Geneologies (maybe your family
name!)
CLASS #4
Languages (Gaeilge, Gaelic, Welsh, Manx,Breton),
Poetry, Prose
I will basically upload files to the library, prior to the
class, to provide a focal point for the discussions and a
framework for building a Celtic Book of Shadows. We will
flesh these frameworks out through discussions online. I,
by no means, have all the answers on matters Celtic.
But I truly believe that ALL of us, working together, can
approach advance our knowledge and rediscover the True Celtic
Way.
Druids are especially welcome to attend so that our Celtic
Knowledge may be "Illuminated"!<G>
I also hope that The Welsh Bards will grace us with the Songs
of Taliesin.

Other topics will be included based upon the desires and

direction of the students and other participants.
I see the way that the workshops will be conducted as:
Susan W.: ?
O'Dubh : Opening Remarks by Me.
Presentation by a Speaker (not necessarily me).
Questions and Answers.
Group Open Discussion and Discovery.
Summation and Assignments.
The classes start this Monday night in Work Shop 1 of the NewAge
Forum at 10 PM EST! See you there!<G>
Beannacht leat,
(Blessed be)
O'Dubh
Susan W> ga
Susan W.: Oh, sorry, thought my screen was stuck there. GA
O'Dubh : OK That was the announcement and sorry if it was wrapping on
your screens!<G>
Jehana : sorry, i do have to go; i will put this workshop on
next monday's calendar.
O'Dubh : I'll continue with the presentation
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Ce'ad Mi'le Failte! (100,000 Welcomes)
Welcome to the Celtic Workshop!
We will be investigating and sharing our knowledge
of matters Celtic here.
It is my hope that the researches and references
I have will add to or compliment your own.
I am, by no means, the final authority on
these matters.
Discussion and interaction, coupled with a
shamanistic journey or two should fill in
the gaps and illuminate us all.
all
Dean : hello
O'Dubh : Tonight I hope to lay down a firm framework
for our knowledge of Druids through a
discussion of their Magickal writing,
called Ogham, after Ogma - Sun Face,
and through a discussion of their divination
techniques.
It is commonly thought that the Druids left
no written records of their work.
I disagree.
Many references exist that contain the
poems of Druids, stories about their Magicks,
tales of their strategies, their secret lore,
their Oghams, their invocations, their victories
and their defeats.
The major problems with using this information
is that it is the product of a long
(tho reliable) oral tradition that was finally
written down by their antecedents the Culdean
Monks of the Celtic Church.
(Probably Druids in hiding).
Some of the Irish manuscripts
used as references on Druids are:
The Book of Armaugh
The Book of Ballymote
(A primary source for Oghams)
The Tain Bo Cuailgne
The Book of the Dun Cow
The Book of Invasions
The Book of Leinster
Many references to what Druids did
are contained within the above books.
Much of what Celts wrote was symbollic
of deeper meanings. Each work can
be interpreted on many levels.
In modern times, Druidry is being studied
by several major groups, ADF and OBVD to
name just two.
If we have any Druids present tonight,
Please come forth and identify yourselves now.
(well, since only us chickens are here!<g>)
Susan W.: .
O'Dubh : I'll identify myself as a student of Wicca, Druids and Celts
Susan W>Whatis your interest or area?
Susan W.: I have no knowledge in this area . .
I have been told a little bit by a friend.
The extent . . .
is that I understand this Wicca, Druid beliefs,
are very old and are based on the powers of the earth?
ga
O'Dubh : yes the knowledge of Druids/Wiccans is based upon the Earth and
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it's power.
The knowledge of the Oghams is tree knowledge applied as symbols
in the use of Magick and Divination.
I'll upload some info on each symbol
or group of 5 symbols and show what their
meanings are.
The Druids were the shamans of the Celtic
Clans. They carried the history, the culture
and the geneologies of the Clan in their memories.
To aid in remembering this information,
Oghams were used, each Ogham being
associated by its beginning sounds
with the item to be remembered. This
is similar to alliteration in today's
writings.This led to an entire series of
different types of Oghams.
Tonight we will discuss tree oghams and Fionn's Wheel.
Ogham BTW is pronounced "O Wam".
It's one of those strange Gaelic things!<G>
I have listed the Oghams for
those of you that haven't
downloaded the Ogham GIF's
or the Ogham Divination files
in Library 16 yet.
Each Ogham is listed by its
ancient Gaelic name, then its
modern Irish name and then its
Welsh counterpart.
The first group of 5 is from the
North on Fionn's Wheel.
(it is from the Book of Ballymote)
7th century Irish manuscript.
Susan W.: .
O'Dubh : Beth Beith Bedw Birch - The White Tree of Purification
Protection against harm, physical and spiritual.
Deal with/clear away the bad things of life.
A new begining. Peasant. 24 December-20 January. White.
Luis Caorthann Criafol Rowan - Tree of Life
Protection against psychic attack.
Develop powers of protection and foretelling.
Used in Metal dowsing.
Planted around stone circles. Peasant
21 January-17 February. Liath (grey).
(also luisne or "red glare").
Fearn Fearno'g Gwernen Alder - "The Red Man"
(pranksters, also help one escape the Otherworld)
Used in fires to make swords.
Frees the Earth from water. Used in Building
Foundations because of this fire aspect.
Protection in conflicts.
Freedom from binding Magicks. 18 March-14April.
Crimson or blood red.
Saille Saileach Helgen White Willow or Sally Tree -
The growth of lunar power and water.
Linking and harmonizing. It's power is greatest
at night unless the Moon is visable during the day.
Susan W.: ? O'D
O'Dubh : Tied to the Moon phases.
Protection against diseases. Peasant. 15 April-12 May.
Sodaith (Bright or fine).
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Nuin Fuinnseog Onnen The Black Ash - The Tree of Rebirth
Links the World of Spirit to the physical.
The passage way between the inner world and the outer realms.
The keys to the future but only in time.
First Chieftan Tree. 18 February-17 March
Necht or clear in color.
Yes Susan W? (I actually heard Susan W and responded at this
point but have included the other uploaded information here for
completeness).

Huath Sceach gheal Ysbyddaden -

The Hawthorn or Whitethorn
The May Tree. The name means "Terrible"
referring to the Destroyer aspect of the Goddess.
Unlucky (especially to cut it except in May).
(Bringing the blossoms in the house is also unlucky).
Rags are tied to its branches as offerings.
Protection against all ills Magickally.
Peasant. 13 May-9 June. Purple (For the Hag/Underworld).
Duir Dair Derwen Oak - The King of Trees
The Oak King. Magickal strength.
The doorway to inner knowledge.
The ability to see the invisible or be invisible.
The ability to bar or open the ways.
10 JUne-7 July. Black. Chieftan.
Planted in Sacred Groves by the Druids.
Tinne Cuileann Celyn Holly - "Fire"
The Holly King. Balanced Strength and Power.
Unification, Fatherhood, Rebirth.
Fire, strength, boldness.
Peasant. Temen (grey-green).
Coll Coll Collen Hazel -
"By the Power of Three Times Three"
Discovery, Druidic Herald wands "Word Wisdom".
Used as A Magick Shield in warfare (Fionn's Shield).
Water Witching forked rods.
Nut-Brown.
Quert Aball Afall Crab Apple - Tree of Eternal Life
Isle of Avalon. Five seeds/blossom petals.
Apple-green or Mouse-Brown.
Muin Muine Vine - "The Vernal Equinox"
"The First Harvest".
Chieftain, 2 September- 29 September.
Mbracht (variegated).
The Magickal ability to roam widely and to gather.
Assimilation leading to inner development.

Gort Eadhne'an Eiddew Ivy - "The Second Harvest"

30 September - 27 October. Gorm (blue).
scarcity in unfavorable situations.
Changes necessary for growth.
All things are tied to the Earth.
Transformation by being rooted in the Earth.
Ngetal Giolcach Cawnen Reed - "The Tree of Scribes"
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Used to make pens and Welsh plagawd (paper).
28 October - 24 November.
Thatching, mats, baskets.
Insulation, Enclosure, Covering.
Preserver of Knowledge, Maintainer of Order.
Nglas (glass green or yellowish-green).
Straif Drai'on Draenenwen Blackthorn -
"Tree of Punishment and Strife"
Peasant. Staves of Magickal Power.
Draoi (Wizard), Drai' (Druid).
Power in Visible and Invisible Worlds.
Use to overcome resistance to One's will.
Sorcha (bright colored) or purple-black.

Ruis Trom Ysgaw Elder -

"Tree of the Cailleach (Hag)"
ru'isce (a violent attack, a blow, a throw).
Irish Witches rode Elder sticks instead of brooms.
Three fold aspects of Time, Existence, Goddess.
Ogham of Timelessness or unity of all time.
Balance in threes. Rocnat (roebuck red).
Susan W.: How would you use this information, for example . . .
the Native Americans use prayers for certain rituals, such as
blessing your surroundings.
How would you use that infor.?
Ga
O'Dubh : The information would be used
in divinations and in casting spells.
It would also be used to mark pathways for Spiritual journeys
into the Celtic Otherworld.
The first use of Oghams was on Birch, for instance,
and it was interpreted by the Irish God Lugh to mean
that a Magickal attack was going to be made
upon his wife.
Freepowder: hi all
O'Dubh : He took precautions.
Hi Freepowder !! we are underway with our workshop.
Freepowder: I didn;t miss it?
O'Dubh : I'm just telling Susan how Ogham information was used.
It's happening right now.
Anything missed will be in the library.
Freepowder: out standing, but I can't stay long<sigh>
O'Dubh : Susan>Does that answer your question?
Freepowder: GA
Susan W.: So, he called upon the spirit of the Birch tree to protect
him???
O'Dubh : He used the Magick of the Birch symbol to protect him and
his wife. Birch was used to surround them and protect them
from Magickal attack. Lugh's wife was in danger of being
spirited away to the Underworld.
Freepowder: (sorry) who are we talking about?
Susan W.: Gottcha. :) Difference in interpretation. GA
O'Dubh : The Celts were also shamanistic just like the Native Americans
Ok
Susan W.: ?
O'Dubh : FP>We are talking about the use and meaning of Oghams and
symbols of Magick.
FP>GA
Freepowder: in general?
O'Dubh : Well I'm presenting the meaning for each Ogham as based upon
the information handed down by the Irish Druidic Bards.
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Misty : Can you tell us a little about the shamanistic part of the
Celts?
Freepowder: ah!
O'Dubh : Misty>I will cover that more fully next week but....
the Celts lived close to nature as did most peoples
O'Dubh : in the past. They observed that they had to interact with
it on a more personal basis than we do today.
I am introducing symbols and diagrams to be
O'Dubh : used in Magickal journeying.
Misty : Ok, sounds good!!
Freepowder: O'd> the Celts focused mainly on Trees & shrubs, while the
NAIndians,
Freepowder: focused more on animals , right?
O'Dubh : FP>The Celts tied Oghams to everything...
Birds, animals, shields, flowers you name it!<G>
Freepowder: !
O'Dubh : They even had a secret Hand Language<G>!
GA
Misty : I've heard of that...how was that used?
Freepowder: <aside> sounds like modern gang!>...
Ogham was used like runes or tarot?
ga
O'Dubh : FP>one of the messages I posted has a direct correllation for
Oghams and TArot!
Susan W.: ?
Freepowder: I missed it, been a heavy wkend<abashed> GA
O'Dubh : It's in Section 15.
Susan >GA
Susan W.: I had someone give me a shamanistic (N.Amer.) style
drumming experience. ..
in which I saw the trunk of a very large tree . .
with a section that you could walk into . . .
like the old forest located S. of Yosemite . . . what are those
called again. ? Anyway GA
Any meaning to that vision? O'D?
Sequoia . that's it.
O'D> GA
SUZAN : O'D is having some trouble with his connection.......
he will be right back.....
Susan W.: ok
I'm probably gonna split in a few . . . been on almost 2hrs.
SUZAN : thanks for being patient
Susan W.: What are your interests again Suzan?
SUZAN : i am an astrologer
Freepowder: Suzan> by the look of it we have just got started w/ this,
right?
Susan W.: Hi O'D
Freepowder: welcome back O'D
O'Dubh : Sorry about the line going down!<G>
Thanks guys!
Freepowder: Mercury is retarded<G>
O'Dubh : So where were we?
Freepowder: Sequoyah in vision
Susan W.: Did you get I saw trees in a vision?
O'Dubh : FP!>LOL probably what the prob is!<G>
Freepowder: GA<G>
O'Dubh : Susan>Yes
Susan W.: Any importance?
O'Dubh : I was telling how Celts/Druids
saw all of life interconnected like the Oak limbs
I believe your vision is telling you
to look within yourself to see how
you connect to the life around you
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perhaps you should go on a shamanistic journey.
Freepowder: ?
O'Dubh : Discover your inner truths.
FP> ga
Freepowder: Shamanistic Journey?...
you mean like a vision quest?
Misty : Did we lose him again?
O'Dubh : Yes FP but along definate paths
Susan W.: O'D> celtic style?
O'Dubh : let me continue and I'll show you the map.
Freepowder: GA
O'Dubh : Susan>Definately Celtic style if that is what you feel closest
to.
Susan W.: Actually more N.Amer. style :)
O'Dubh : Native American style is nice but I am a Celt.
Susan W.: Tell me your way.
O'Dubh : Watch and see !!
they (the ways) may be closer than you know!:)
Freepowder: <watching><G>
O'Dubh : Ok I'm going to skip the Ogham meanings and go straight to the
Wheel of the journeys.
This is Fionn's wheel and is a GIF in Lib 16.
<now uploading path names>
Fionn's Wheel is a diagram found in the Book of Ballymote.
It shows all 25 Oghams arranged around a series of concentric
circles (in library 16 as fionnw.gif). This diagram can be
used to divine paths necessary for "Pathworking", a very
powerful shamanistic technique. I have identified the meanings
of each Ogham on the paths (using the correspondences from Nigel
Pennick mostly). Each Ogham's meaning can require at least a workshop of
it's own to fully cover. I offer these here to show what can be done with
Oghams:

An Roth de an Bealach
(The Wheel of the Ways)
___________________________________
Each path will be identified with it's Gaeilge/English name
and the elements along the Ways.

The Northern Path is first.

(from outside to inside)
___________________________________
An Cosa'n do Sla'n
(The Way of Protection)
The White Tree of Purity
The Tree of Life
The Red Man
The Moon
The Keys to the Future
___________________________________
This is the first path on Fionn's wheel
0jim : hellod
O'Dubh : It contains the first 5 Oghams B L F S N
jim : hello
O'Dubh : This path is first because it teaches the new
student how to protect him/herself from Magickal harm.
HELLO jIM
Please standby
jim : ok
O'Dubh : this is a formal Workshop
But join in !!!
Any way, the first step was Purification,
followed by gaining an ally in "the Red MAn",
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a being kind of like Coyote in Native American workings.
The tree of life is there as well
(this could be what Susan saw in her dream)
The Moon represents the protection of the Goddess
When the inner level is reached
the student gains the keys of knowledge
but not the wisdom to use them.
Another journey must be made.
That is the next path.
___________________________________
O'Dubh : This Path contains the Ogham EBA:
An Roth de an Bealach
(The Wheel of the Ways)
___________________________________
An Cosa'n de Fe'ile
(The Way of Ritual)
The Sacred Grove (Imbolc)
___________________________________

This path requires an understanding of

the major Religious festivals of the
Celtic year begining with Imbolc,
The new beginings
The festival of Brigit.
Susan W.: !
O'Dubh : It also requires one to perform such a ritual
Susan>ga
Susan W.: O'D & all> sorry, but I gotta go. Thanks for the info.
jim : !
O'Dubh : Susan> ok I'll continue and upload all this into the library.
B*B
jim>ga
Susan W.: THanks, I'll check into it. Bye.
jim : Thanks for the insight to PAGANISM. Get out of this stuff!
Freepowder: ?
O'Dubh : jim>not sure what you mean?
jim : !
O'Dubh : jim>ga
jim : you know! Druids, Pagans, Witches, stuff like that
Misty : Get out???
jim : !
Scott : uh oh.
O'Dubh : JiM>We are Druids, Pagans, Witches and stuff like that.
jim : !
O'Dubh : You are well to listen in to the workshop.
Jim>standby just a second.
FP has a question
FP>ga
Freepowder: I thought Samhain was the beginning of the Celtic year?
ga
O'Dubh : FP>It's the begining of the Celtic year but not necessarily
the begining of the study of Celtic religions.
ga
Freepowder: ?
O'Dubh : FP>ga
Freepowder: Imbolc...
is the start of this path of wisdom?...
or study on fionn wheel, right?
O'Dubh : FP>The study of all the major festivals is the second path
The symbol is actually the Grove.
The most powerful Magick in the Druid rites
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Freepowder: ah!
O'Dubh : was The victory of life over death,
the renewal of the wheel of the year,
the marriage of the Crone to the Oak King or Cernnunos.
That would not be an appropriate start point for begining
the study of Druidic Magicks. (Before a student can begin
Magickal work, the ability to shield and protect oneself
must first be developed. This is why the first way studied is
the way of protection. The next step to performing or learning
occult wisdom would be in a protected environment, such as
rituals or Circles. What better ritual for a fresh start than Imbolc which
is symbollic of New Beginings and the Quickening of Life? Samhain is
actually the end point of the year and represents the culmination of the
Druidic Mysteries.

Jim>I believe you had a question?ga

jim :not really
O'Dubh :ok
jim :just watching and laughing
O'Dubh :any other questions?
Scott :?
Misty :So are you saying that Winter Solstice is the beginning of
the wheel?
O'Dubh : Jim>I suggest that you watch your behavior
since the forum has some strict rules about
jim : ?
O'Dubh : putting down what others believe.
Jim>ga
jim : i'm not putting you down, just enjoying the show
O'Dubh : Jim>Are you done?
or do you have a question?
jim : 1!
?
O'Dubh : Jim>ga
jim : soo sorry if i offended anyone, didn'y mean to
got to go
O'Dubh : Goodbye jim
now to continue
Freepowder: Slan leat J
Scott : ?
O'Dubh : the next path to aid us in becomming more enlightened is the
Eastern path on the wheel.
Misty : What about my question? Or did someone beat me to it?
******** Answer inserted by O'Dubh ****************
(I completely missed Missy's question in all the confusion. The
answer to Missy's question is that Samhain is the begining
and the ending of the Celtic year. It is the time when the God
of the Underworld marries the Crone aspect of the Goddess. The new God or
the Sun is not yet reborn until the Winter Solstice. The Celts began
their days at sundown. It is not surprising that they began their new
year with the end of the last harvest. The period between Samhain
and Imbolc is the dark part of the year and is therefore like the
night before the day. During this period preparations were made for the
onset of winter and the coming spring planting.)
******************************************************************
Michael : Whats up tonight?
jim : \exit
O'Dubh : Scott>ga
jim : \exit
O'Dubh : Jim> try /exit
jim : thanks
Scott : O'D did you say you were going to upload this lecture? I would really
like to D/L it, but have to go to bed...
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O'Dubh : Scott>Yes I will and will add notes as I go !<G>
Slan leat!
Blessings
Scott : Any idea what the file name will be? <G>
O'Dubh : It'll be celtws1.txt
Freepowder: byer
Scott : thanks for your time, Blessed Be.
O'Dubh : Pressing on here and watching the clock.
<g>
O'Dubh : This Path contains the next 5 Oghams H D T C Q:
An Roth de an Bealach
(The Wheel of the Ways)
___________________________________
An Cosa'n do Fios
(The Way of Wisdom)
The Cailleach
The Oak King
The Holly King
The Three Times Three
The Tree of Eternity
___________________________________
O'Dubh : This Path contains the Ogham OI:
An Cosa'n do Gra'
(The Way of Love)
The Spindle of the Wheel (Beltaine)
___________________________________
******** Additional Data inserted by O'Dubh **************
O'Dubh : This Path contains the next 5 Oghams M G NG STR R:

An Cosa'n de Deis
(The Way of Balance)
The First Gathering
The Second Harvest
The Tree of Scribes
The Tree of Punishment
The Triple Goddess
___________________________________

O'Dubh : This Path contains the Ogham UI:

An Cosa'n de an Fhi'rinne
(The Way of Truth)

The Ancient Knowledge (Lugnasadh)

The Inner Mysteries
___________________________________
O'Dubh : This Path contains the next 5 Oghams A O U E I:
An Cosa'n de an Saol
(The Way of Life)
The Tree of Regeneration
The Tree of Continuous Fertility
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The Morning Dew
The Preventer of Death
The Tree of Life and Death
___________________________________

O'Dubh : This Path contains the Ogham AE:

The Way between the Worlds

The Sea (Samhain)
**********End of inserted data ***************
I will cover all of these and their meanings in the next
Workshop, next Monday.
Freepowder: ?
O'Dubh : I'm putting them here to give everyone a chance to read and
study them.
FP>ga
Freepowder: A bit off the Subj...
if you find the time could you help with...
Gaelic Pronounciation?
<G>
O'Dubh : FP>Sure will and I'll put notes in the upload as well.
Freepowder: thanks!
Rilla/Sysop: Hi all!
O'Dubh : I'm going to type the rest of the paths in now to speed things
up.
Hi Rilla!
Freepowder: Hi rilla, Dai dhuit
Rilla/Sysop: Dai dhuit!
Did you learn what that meant ???
O'Dubh : Rilla>It means Hello.
Rilla/Sysop: Just stopping bye to tell y'all goodnight!
and hugs!
O'Dubh : Gang I see that we will have to continue next week
It's late and we still have about 2 hours to cover.
Freepowder: ?
Misty : I hate that.
O'Dubh : I will post the rest of my lecture on the section 15 message
board.
FP>ga
Freepowder: what time does this start?...
and will it be in the Co notices?
O'Dubh : It starts at 10 PM Est.
Yes it should be.
I have to get Rilla to do it.
Freepowder: 7 PST<scratching head>
O'Dubh : I was surprised it wasn't.
FP>that's right
7PM PST.
Freepowder: numbers hate me<G>
O'Dubh : I know
I appreciate everyone being here.
Misty : No prob..
O'Dubh : Next time we''ll cover how to make a shamanistic journey using
the Oghams and Fionn's Wheel.
Misty : See ya next time or probably sometime during the weekend.
Freepowder: O'D, I appreciate you taking the time to put this on!
O'Dubh : Beannacht leat!<blessed be!>
Thanks everyone!
Hugs!
Slan
Freepowder: Sl'n leat!
Misty : Night....*B*B*
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Freepowder: well, who's left?

**********************************************************************

What follows is the rest of My presentation concerning divination:

O"Dubh : Western (read Druidic) meditation was usually done
for divination and foretelling the future.
This was called by the names: Tenm Laida, Dichetal
Do Chennaib and Imbas Forosna.
Tenm Laida (Illumination by Song) is an altered state
usually achieved by chanting or singing of a repetitive
pattern. This can also include drumming and dancing.
These activities synchronize the body and mind to
an external rhythm allowing us to cast off the chains
of normal existence.
This allows one to float at peace within the song
(dance, beat, mantra, etc.) This is a strictly Druidic
or Shamanistic practice even though it may look like TM.
Dichetal Do Chennaib (Cracking open the Nuts of Wisdom)
is a state achieved by relaxation and clearing the mind
in a Ritual environment. It usually involved using some
Magickal implement such as a knife, a sword or a staff
to touch a subject (usually upon the head) or involved
the handling an item so that the diviner could discover
what secret knowledge was contained within it.
This information could be events from a person's past life,
a detailed history of who and what had happened to an object
or how and why the subject was being hexed or spelled.
I know this sounds like ESP but it was enhanced through
Ritual and relaxation techniques. I believe that Dichetal
Do Chennaib is the proper state for performing Ogham
divinations as well. More on this later.
Imbas Forosna (Illumination) was a form of altered state
used by seers and bards to create or see visions.
The Druid would be totally isolated from all sensory inputs,
sounds, lights and feelings. This was usually a very
dark room or a covering of hides. The Druid would attempt
to float and relax. When in the proper state he/she would
signal for the hides to be removed or he/she would open
the door out of the Darkness. The sudden, instantaneous
transition from Darkness to Light would cause him/her to see
visions or to spontaneously utter poems, prophecies or to
achieve a total Awareness of the secret Knowledge of
their Surroundings. This sensory deprivation forced oneness upon
them and caused them to become centered and to float. It was
their Ultimate Meditation technique.

The Druids also used music, colors, trees and numbers to alter their
consciousness. They were familiar with the Pythagorean Mysteries and may
have actually been the source of them!<G>
Druids shared IndoEuropean roots with the Indian Brahmans but I
don't have any hard data to support any similarities in their
practices.
O'Dubh : To perform an Ogham divination , one must be clear about the
purpose or object of the divination before begining. Focus this
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purpose in your mind before starting meditation and/or Circle
casting. I find that working within a Magickal Circle tends to
prevent outside psychic influences but don't believe it's
absolutely necessary to use a Circle. The form of divination
is Dichetal Do Chennaib.

What we will be doing is casting sticks or "fews" upon a casting

cloth. The sticks are about finger length and size and carved with
Oghams for each of the 25 symbols. (I prefer to work with woods that are
the actual symbols used for each Ogham where possible.
Obviously, some "Crane Bag" symbols are not trees and will have
to be carved on some neutral wood or other substance, shells or
rocks for instance. I use Ash or Oak for any substitutions.)
The casting cloth is a representation of Fionn's Wheel and can
be multicolored (as in the GIF), plain (Black and White) or just
drawn on the floor or ground. I like to make the largest Circle
about my height (in my case 6'2" but use what is suited to you).
I orient the Wheel with the "B" Ogham to the North. I stand on the South
side of the Wheel facing North about 3 feet back from the "M" Ogham. Place the
Oghams in a bag and then randomly select 7 of them. Close your
eyes, spin around three times while blanking your mind from everything but
your purpose. At the end of the third spin toss the 7 "fews" into the air
about 3 feet above your head and towards the center of the Wheel. Once they
have settled out immediately read the arrangement of the sticks as a
general impression only. Write this down. Also record the relative
orientations and postions of the "fews" upon the Wheel. Pick up the cast
sticks and return them to the bag. Repeat this process twice more so that a
total of three readings is available.
O'Dubh :You should now have three Wheel/Ogham Divination charts that
have the relative positions of 21 Oghams on them. Interpret the
Oghams based upon the correspondences I referenced previously.
(This came from Nigel Pennick's Book "Magical Alphabets" with
the actual meanings for the Oghams being from the Bardic/Druidic
traditions as passed dowm by the Clan Bards of the O'Flahertys).
I use the correspondences that "feel" right to me. You should
do the same. No one set of correspondences is the absolutely
right one to use. The above correspondences just hang together
better in my own mind. The basic technique to reading the tale
of the sticks is to read then deosil (clockwise) and from the
outside to the inside. The "fews" towards the center represent
the future and those towards the outside the past. Any sticks
not on the Wheel are ignored. Crossed sticks conflict. Parallel
sticks compliment or enhance. Sticks laying on Oghams of the
Wheel have combined effects. The interpretation is not hard and
fast. I read the symbols as a "story" that is dynamic. I take all three
divinations together. If they have no correllation at all, I ignore the results
and try again. Sometimes A divination is not possible. I'll try at least three
times to get results. The relative agreement of each of the Three Wheel/Ogham
charts
determines the degree of confidence one can have in the readings, from utter
certainty to total confusion! (reminds me of Sex for some reason but that's another
story!<G> I guess the point is that
such Powers and their use are not instantaneous or easy to realize
at times. Sometimes its easy and other times impossible no matter
how much you try!<G>) This entire process of interpretation is very similar to:
Palmistry, Tarot, Astrology or Runes. They are all basically taking seemingly random
or (at least) uniquely individualized instances from a person's life and attempting
to give meaning to such events based upon how they relate to Magickal symbols and
patterns. What is actually occurring is that the left brain is gathering facts from
the cast patterns that configure the mind and Spirit to allow the right brain to
make the "Salmon leap" to intuitive insight or Illumination. This is
Dichetal Do Chennaib or "cracking open the nuts of Wisdom" at its finest.
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After the divination is finished, dismiss your Circle and fold or erase your
casting Wheel or cloth. Store them separately and away from normal life until they
are to be used again. I recommend a wooden or cedar chest. Use whatever represents
peace, quiet and solitude for you.
O'Dubh : So what have we found from this discussion of Druids, Oghams
and divination? We found that Information exists concerning Druid Oghams in the
ancient 7th and 8th century writings of Irish monks-Druids. We disovered that
Fionn's Wheel can be used as a divination casting cloth and as a "map" for
"Pathworking". We suggested that the Ogham correspondences can identify unique ways
to Magickal knowledge and insight. Most of this information came from oral Druid
histories that were finally written down in the first millenia by the Druid remnant
or Culdean Monks. I admit that some of my presentation has been colored by my
interests in other forms of MAgick that have more readily available information,
such as Runes, Tarot and Astrology. I have also made every effort to go to an
ancient textural source or, at the very least, to a modern writer basing their work
upon ancient verified Druidic works. In our future investigations into Druidic
practices and Magick, I hope to
continue using the same techniques to discover or rediscover the Mysteries of the
inner Druidic Knowledge.
******************************************************************
Key words to look up and understand for this Workshop and the next:
Shamanism, Pathworking, Magick, Oghams, Druids, Culdee,
Celt, Fionn, Archetypes, Jung, Vision Quests, divination,
meditation, Bards, Invocation, Circles, spirit guides.

During the discussion of Fionn's wheel we will primarily address

archetypes, symbols, Magick and Shamanism as well as Pathworking.
CELTIC WORKSHOP (Internet)
This is the second Celtic Workshop. We covered Pathworking using Fionn's Wheel and
how Druids did Magick. (O'Dubhain - 28 Feb 1994)

*SYSTEM* | Switching to Workshop/Seminar 1

Freepowder | heloooooo
O'Dubhain | Hi!
| Looks like just you and me!<G>
Freepowder | how many are we?
O'Dubhain | Hi Tammy!
Tammy | Hi!!!
| I got my old man to give me 15 minutes. How
generous!
Freepowder | BRB, Hi tammy! Jee-ah guitch <heheheh>
O'Dubhain | What a nice guy!<G>
| Ban jeeah Gwitch!
Tammy | Sorry I won't be able to stay for the whole thing.
O'Dubhain | heheheheeh!
| That's ok you can download it later
Nan | 'lo everyone
O'Dubhain | Lo Nan!
Sue Thornburg | Hello!!!!!!!!!
Falcon | Hi All
Freepowder | it's obvious that the Celts had a sense of humor, look
at their spelling<G> HI nan, Hi falc
Sue Thornburg | FP> HAHAHAHA
O'Dubhain | Hi Falcon! Hugs Sue
Sue Thornburg | Will this be a formal CO, Odie?
Falcon | Hi O'D
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O'Dubhain | Sue>It's semiformal!<G>
Freepowder | hi sue, the word for the day is *maismic*
Wren | Hi, guys
O'Dubhain | It's a workshop!
Freepowder | hi wren
Nan | maismic?
Falcon | <lost>
Sue Thornburg | Oooh, good, I'm wearing half of my tux. <g>
O'Dubhain | Hi wren
Falcon | Hi Wren
O'Dubhain | Lo Eric Let's get cranking folks
Eric | LO OD
Falcon | What is a workshop?? <otl>
Freepowder | I'll be good, O'd, promise
O'Dubhain | A Workshop is another word for a CO But since its a
WOrkshop it's supposed to be hardere!<G>
Eric | and maismic??
O'Dubhain | ANYway
Falcon | *maismic*
O'Dubhain | The way this works to date is I talk about some
subjects and we discuss them
| then we maybe come up with some new ideas
Sue Thornburg | Sounds terrific. :)
O'Dubhain | It runs like a formal CO to begin Just put in a ? or a
!
Fred McCandless | so toss out an idea
O'Dubhain | If you have a comment or a question
| OK
| First last week
| We talked about Druids Oghams and Divination.
Fred McCandless | ?
O'Dubhain | I placed a bunch of files in the library 16 to be
used in the workshop. ok Fred>GA
Fred McCandless | si
O'Dubhain | Fred> Got a question?
Wren | He's gone, O'd
O'Dubhain | anyway the way it works is just like that!<G> ok The
files give you background on what we discuss. So the first question I would ask
is....
Jehana Silverwing | hi odubh.
| ust
O'Dubhain | Why are we studying these subjects?
| Hi Jehana!
| I mean what are we going to get out of this
| study?
Nan | cause we like to waste $$ on CI$? <GGG>
O'Dubhain | ANyone want to volunteer an opinion?
Falcon | !
O'Dubhain | Falcon>ga
Falcon | I study things because they are there and I feel I
should learn as much as I can
Nan | !
O'Dubhain | Me too Falcon!<G>
| Nan>ga
Nan | on a more serious note....I'm interested in learning
about them because they are part of my heritage and the heritage of those around me
O'Dubhain | That's a reason I study them too Nan. When I asked
myself these questions I came up with some answers. Why study Oghams? The answer
was because the Druids used them in Magick.
David Pfeiffer | To add more to that Nan, being new here, I'd like to
learn more about the history of the natural beliefs because they may be the only
saving grace of this planet.
O'Dubhain | They are symbols of Magick. David> That's a good one
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too.
David Pfeiffer | Sorry to interrupt. <g>
O'Dubhain | The reason I study Magick is just that that's ok I
study Magick of the Earth and of people and of the SPirit to find the keys to who I
am How we relate to each other and to the Planet
Jehana | i agree with david.
O'Dubhain | This is a time that we are all coming together to save
ourselves and our Planet The ancient Wisdom shows us a Way to do this Jehana
O'Dubhain | We must look within for the Power of self-awareness
For growth and harmony. The Oghams are the roadsigns on the Ways to this Wisdom
David Pfeiffer | But the whole idea is not for ourselves. We are just
as important as individuals as a leaf is to a tree. One leaf only holds so the tree
may live.
O'Dubhain | One map of this inner journey is Fionn's Wheel. Right
again David. But we must start with ourselves. To have a tree one must have
leaves. and branches and a trunk and roots as well as Life. It's all got to work
together. The purpose of this workshop tonight is to determine the way that
Fionn's Wheel shows us how to "Pathwork" to knowledge of ourselves.
Nan | ?
O'Dubhain | To show how Druids did this Yes Nan
Nan | i think i know what you mean by "pathwork" but could
you please give a brief definition so that i know we're thinking the same
O'Dubhain | OK. Pathworking is basically an inner journey to
discover Truths within ourselves
Falcon | ?
Nan | thanks
O'Dubhain | It allows us to tap a "Higher" wisdom To know our
totems and our Spirit guides. Yes Falcon ga.
Falcon | What is Finion's Wheel?
O'Dubhain | Fionn's Wheel is a representation of the Oghams laid
out in Circles around a center. Like a Native American Medicine Wheel. It is
pretty much the same thing for shamanistic purposes I uploaded a GIF of it into Lib
16 as FIONNW.GIF
Falcon | thanks
O'Dubhain | On it are the Ogham symbols for our journey.
Wren | ?
O'Dubhain | Each symbol represents an ability or a knowledge to be
gained or understood, Wren ga
Wren | Is there a book with the diagram? I can't see GIF's
O'Dubhain | It's in the following books: "The Book of Ogham" by
Edred Thorsson, "The Celtic Shaman" by John Matthews
Jehana | will capture the gif.
O'Dubhain | "The Book of Ballymote" by a 7th century Culddean
Druid<G>, Jehana also in Religion lib.
Jehana | okay, odubh.
Beth Campbell | send 2 what's Palyne? Is this a formal co?
O'Dubhain | yes Beth? The way Druids worked Magick was by
"becoming" or by actually changing reality A classic example of this is The Song of
Amergin the Druid who aided the Gaels in defeating
the Tuatha de Danaans. I quote from his song:
| "I am the wind which breathes upon the sea.
| I am the wave of the ocean.
| I am the murmur of the billows.
| I am the ox of the seven combats.
| I am the vulture upon the rocks.
| I am a beam of the Sun.
| I am the fairest of plants.
| I am a wild boar in valour.
| I am a salmon in the water.
| I am a lake in the plain.
| I am a word of science.
| I am a point of a lance in battle.
| I am the God who created in the head the fire.
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| Who is it who throws light into the meeting
| in the mountain?
| Who announces the ages of the Moon?
| Who teaches the place where couches the Sun?
| If not I?
Jehana | I think this song is a teaching ballad.
O'Dubhain | I invoke the land of Ireland!"
Jehana | by the way, whose translation is this?
O'Dubhain | Yes it teaches and it invokes the power of the Land.
This was the translation by Douglas Hyde.
Jehana | okay, just simply because it is slightly different
than the one i remembr.
O'Dubhain | This Spell was used by the Druid to overcome the winds
raised by the de Danaans in their battle for the Land. It is an example of the way
a Druid would work. There are other tales of shamanistic workings by Druids
Freepowder | ?
O'Dubhain | Among these is "How the Tain was Recovered" Yes FP?
Freepowder | you spoke of becoming, is Amergin actualy becoming...
those things or, has he been in the past?
Nan | or is it a metaphor?
O'Dubhain | He is actually synchronizing himself with the spirit
that controls these items. It is a series of symbols. It can be viewed
metaphorically. But the fact is it got results. The wind died and the Gaels landed
on Ireland.
Freepowder | ok GA
O'Dubhain | Present day shamans do the same thing. The story of
the Tain was lost and had to be recovered. It had been written in Oghams on sticks
and sent to Italy. None of the bards had a memory of the entire story, so they sent
two men to recover the Oghams, Senchan and Muirgen. No one knew where to look for
these Ogham sticks. So Muirgen decided to ask Fergus mac Roich (only one
problem---Fergus was dead) So Muirgen slept on his grave and invoked the ghost of
Fergus to reveal the entire story. The Spirit of Fergus appeared in a cloud and for
three days recited the entire epic. Muirgen was able to go back to the Bards and
tell the entire tale. This tale was written down and we have it today. This is an
example of dream traveling to discover hidden knowledge
Artemisia | ?
O'Dubhain | yes Artemisia?
Artemisia | sorry...computer fart
O'Dubhain | hahahaha! ok
Jehana | <rofl>
Sue Thornburg | <snork>
Freepowder | <LTB>
O'Dubhain | mine was getting constipated!<G>
Freepowder | *maismic*
Jehana | LTB? lettuce, tomato and bacon?
O'Dubhain | haha!
Nan | lol
O'Dubhain | gotta be! <wiping eyes> Anyway the point is Druids did
Magick in a lot of ways that has to be discovered again from studying these tales.
Native Americans pass this kind of know-
ledge down from teacher to student. We are not so lucky. We have to dig it out of
books and figure out the symbolisms!
Sue Thornburg | Unless we have an O'Dubh and a computer. :)
Artemisia | :-)
O'Dubhain | <taking a bow> But not for speed typing!<G> or
typos!:(To take a Journey on Fionn's Wheel, I suggest One study the Paths as
outlined in Workshop #1 in Library 16 here as CLTWS1.TXT.
Beth Campbell | <g> Does this mean ... those who don't respect the
past are doomed to repeat it?
Jehana | only if it was a "bad" past <g>.
Freepowder | *maismic*
Sue Thornburg | <chortle>
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O'Dubhain | I think we all get our turn in the "barrel"!<G>
Jehana | sorry.
O'Dubhain | The first Path according to my inner vision
Beth Campbell | wrong choice of words (sorry) (must be mercury) going
to repeat it
O'Dubhain | and as based upon the Oghams in Nigel Pennicks
"Magical Alphabets" is the Way of Protection. This Way has the Oghams B L F S N on
it from the outside to the center. Each Ogham on this Path teaches us a Magickal
ability. The first Ogham B stands for the tree Birch--The White Tree of Purity and
Purification.
Jehana | B is birch in the norse runes, too.
O'Dubhain | It is used to protect and Purify us before we start
our journey within. It was the first Ogham ever used. It warned Lugh that his wife
was going to be abducted to the Underworld and it will serve to show us that we are
protected. Life springs anew. To make such a journey one should meditate and
cleanse oneself of all unclean and impure thoughts.
Beth Campbell | (sounds like Eve and the Apple)
O'Dubhain | Native Americans might do this in a "sweat lodge".
more of a putting away of the mundane bagage of life. baggage that is !<G> Make an
Out of Body (OOBE) type of Journey to a White tree shining against a totally Black
Darkness. Use its image to purge your mind of distracting thoughts and go to the
next level ---The Tree of Life. Upon this tree one learns to shield unwanted
psychic energies and Magicks. This Ogham is "L" for Rowan. When one is floating in
an OOBE one needs such shielding to travel safely.
Freepowder | ?
O'Dubhain | The next symbol in our journey is --"The Red Man". FP
ga
Freepowder | sould it be too long to cover their protection in a
bit more detail?
O'Dubhain | It would take an entire workshop.
Freepowder | thought so, <G> GA
Artemisia | :-)
O'Dubhain | I'll cover this with a post on the Section 15 message
board.
Nan | 15 or 16?
O'Dubhain | The Red Man or the Fear Dearg is a Supernatural being
Jehana | how about a library file?
O'Dubhain | that is a fire entity. That too Jehana!<G> He
sometimes will rescue us from the Other forces of the Underworld. His Ogham is the
Alder Tree. Fp ga
Freepowder | the whistle tree!<G>
O'Dubhain | Ah! Perhaps the whistle will lead us from the
Underworld!?<G>
Fea'dog | it does me!
O'Dubhain | Red is the color of life and frees us from conflicts
and shields us in our lives. Once we are pure and can shield and have no inner
conflicts, it is time to learn of Magick itself! The next step or Ogham is The
Moon. It is the letter "S" for the White Willow. This is a form of the Goddess and
leads us in Divinations to guide our future travels on the Wheel. The last or inner
Ogham on this path is "N". It represents the Keys to inner Knowledge that we have
gained. It is the Black Ash.
Rachel | hello
O'Dubhain | It also gives us the insight "as Above so Below".
Jehana | hello.
Rachel | what is the subject?
O'Dubhain | All our previous insights will aid us in the physical
and the astral worlds. Rachel, this is a Workshop on Celtic Magick. These keys and
knowledge must grow like seeds within us. In the future, they allow us to work our
Power, the Earth's Power and the Power of the Spirit. This completes the Way of
Protection. I suggest that each of you try such a journey on your own, in a Circle
or Safe quiet place. Learn the symbols for the Oghams from the tables in the
library (there are about 7 there I think). Shamanistic journeys are very
individualized. Use symbols that have meaning to You. To complete the journey
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around Fionns Wheel would cover the entire year and the Major festivals.
Nan | is that the next workshop, the festivals? <g>
O'Dubhain | Really project yourselves into the Wheel and you will
find your own inner guide and Truth.
Beth Campbell | (sorry)
O'Dubhain | Nan>I think that'd be a good one The Major festivals
are Imbolc Beltane Lughnasadh Samhain The Solstices and the Equinoxes Each of these
can be found on the Wheel. I hope that I wasn't too sketchy on this!<G>
Nan | this medium is a bit slow and time consuming to cover
this kind of stuff
O'Dubhain | I know my typing can stand improvement.
Artemisia | You were very good...<sigh> but I don't think I'm ever
going to get this.
O'Dubhain | John Matthews covers shamanism fully in his Book
Nan | can you pre-type any and use cut and paste, that might
help
O'Dubhain | "Celtic Shamanism". I could but then we lose
spontaneity and dialogue.
Nan | we could still be spontaneous in the discussion, but
the information portion we're all being quiet anyway
O'Dubhain | Hey! Ok! Next time lends itself to uploading on the
festivals. <g> I would like you each to consider making a shamanistic journey and
messaging me about it.
Pietra | ?
O'Dubhain | You might be surprised about what you find. Pietra ga
Rachel | I have a ?
Pietra | Is this in part where the Masonic orders "get their
symbolism? I noticed a lot of simularities
O'Dubhain | Not sure. Not a Mason, but I wouldn't be surprised.
I'll ask around. <that's my homework>
Falcon | ?
O'Dubhain | Rachel ga ok Falcon ga
Falcon | What is a Mason?
O'Dubhain | Any answers from the group?
Artemisia | I know a little
Pietra | !
O'Dubhain | fire away
Artemisia | My papa was a shriner, very similar They seem to be
exclusive mens orders
Maire | H'lo, O'Dub, et all. Just peeking in to see the
conversation.
Artemisia | the women are part of the outer circle
Pietra | Freemansonry dates itself to the time of the pharohs
O'Dubhain | Maire>just about done here
Artemisia | The masons did a consecration of a washington d.c.
monunment
Beth Campbell | The masons were the brick layers
Artemisia | and used the earth-air-fire-water symbols as part of
consecrating the cornerstone
Maire | O'Dub> thx. Still monitoring tho. Might see
something interesting <g>
Nan | isn't there a Masonic forum or section somewhere,
maybe in religion?
Pietra | and even before According to them the square and
compass (symbols of Freemansonry) stand for the masons who built the pyramids
O'Dubhain | Haven't seen one. George Washington was a Mason.
Nan | are we finished for the night, it's past my bedtime
<g>
O'Dubhain | And the Pyramid with the Eye on it on the Great Seal
of the US is a Masonic Symbol.
Pietra | They are a one God belief but have lots of cabalistic
degrees
Artemisia | rilly?
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O'Dubhain | I declare the Workshop over for the night!<G>
Beth Campbell | The Masons erected a monument to GW in Alexandria VA
Nan | look for it on the dollar bill artemisia
O'Dubhain | Let the games begin!<G>
Artemisia | I know it's there...just didn't know it was masonic
Nan | thanks O'D' i didn't wanna leave and miss anything :)
bye all, see ya next week
Artemisia | night, nan
O'Dubhain | It'll be in the library 16 as CLTWS2.TXT
Mark A. Foster | Did I just miss a conference?
Artemisia | hehehehe
O'Dubhain | Just finished Mark.
Falcon | Night Nan
Mark A. Foster | On what?
Maire | G'night, Nan
O'Dubhain | But we're doing another next week at 10 PM EST
Pietra | They have associated groups for women and adolescents.
O'Dubhain | It was on Druid Magick.
Mark A. Foster | What subject?
Beth Campbell | Folks are old if more than twice your age.
Mark A. Foster | Druid magic. Sounds interesting.
Pietra | Falcom>> Are you confused Yet?
O'Dubhain | I think so!<g>
Mark A. Foster | I didn't see an announcement.
Artemisia | <G>, beth
O'Dubhain | It's in the Flash! check it out.
Mark A. Foster | Oh, ok. Where is that?
O'Dubhain | We'll be here everyweek on Mondays at 10PM
Mark A. Foster | Under "special"?
Falcon | Pietra>I will always be confused
Artemisia | gosh...I can feel my visa floating away! <G>
O'Dubhain | MArk>Are you running WinCim?
Mark A. Foster | 10pm Eastern? DOSCIM
O'Dubhain | yep EST look under Special and Notices
Mark A. Foster | Okay.
Pietra | O'dubh>. yes is forum group -- but the info you get
there
O'Dubhain | Should be a news Flash there
Pietra | will not tell you about "secret work" which is the
real purpose of FreeMansonry
Mark A. Foster | I just saw it. Never knew that was there. Thanks.
O'Dubhain | Ta failte romhat!
Mark A. Foster | Nite, y'all.
O'Dubhain | Nite Mark Slan leat!
Artemisia | Yes, and membership is very exclusive...even used to
be limited by color and financial status
Falcon | Bye Mark
O'Dubhain | Pietra>I plan to find out
Falcon | bye all
O'Dubhain | I have my ways you see!<G>
Pietra | Still is
O'Dubhain | Bye Falcon!! Thanks for coming!
Artemisia | yeah, i figured...just didn't wanna speculate
O'Dubhain | Artemisia>How did the healing go?
Pietra | am Member of Eastern Star and Dad is 33rd degree (the
highest)
Artemisia | great! very powerful
O'Dubhain | Great!!!
Artemisia | Thanks for all the encouragement!
O'Dubhain | I was pumping the energy your way!
Artemisia | Thanks! I knew I could feel a little ooomph!<G>
O'Dubhain | Pietra>Show your dad the tables and get his thoughts
please!:) Artemisia> Glad I could ooomph ya! <G>
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Artemisia | hehehehehe
Pietra | I would if we were on speaking terms however I have
the book
O'Dubhain | Pietra>Good enough. Maybe some Druids hiding in
there!?
Artemisia | I wouldn't doubt it!
Pietra | They would say so
Artemisia | it seems like they take from several traditions
O'Dubhain | Some of these societies formed about the same time as
a rebirth of interest in the occult and Druids.
Pietra | It is interesting that along with some of the rest of
us the inquisistion tortured and put to death all Masons they could find.
O'Dubhain | Might have members in both paths.
Artemisia | hmmmm
Pietra | they certainly do --I am one
O'Dubhain | Sounds like they were intent on eliminating anyone
that thought for themselves. Might have to talk to my uncles about this. They are
Masons. But those guys are very secretive ! Just like Druids!<G>
Pietra | Oh good
Artemisia | Yes, they are <G>
O'Dubhain | Anyway, Thanks to all!
Artemisia | Thanks to YOU!
O'Dubhain | Gotta sleep and catch a plane!<G>
Pietra | bye y'all
O'Dubhain | See you all tommorrow! Hugs all around!
Artemisia | tomorrow?
O'Dubhain | bye sure!
Beth Campbell | Nite O'Dubh!
O'Dubhain | just for chitchat!
Artemisia | Oh.
O'Dubhain | nite Beth Hugs
Artemisia | night, O'D night, everyone
Maire | Night, O'Dub. Happy landings, and hope your
stewardess brings you lots of complimentary drinks<g>
O'Dubhain | <G> Thanks bye all!
CELTIC WORKSHOP 3 - CELTIC FESTIVALS
This an edited transcript of the Third Celtic Workshop presented by
Searles O'Dubhain. The topic for the evening was scheduled to be
the Major Celtic yearly festivals and their hidden meanings. Oghams
were used to attempt to discovery the magick and Mystery within each
festival.
(2-1,Freepowder) Dia duit
(2-11,O'Dubhain) Dia Dhuit!
(2-1,Freepowder) Hi KEN
(2-11,O'Dubhain) Welcome Kenneth 23!!
(2-1,Freepowder) Hi Nan!
(2-11,O'Dubhain) Hiya Nan!
(2-1,Freepowder) Hi bianca
(2-9,Bianca) O'Dub, Wren will join us later
(2-11,O'Dubhain) Tonight we are going to do a Workshop.
(2-29,Nan) 'lo all :)
(2-26,Wren) Hi, guys
(2-2,STUART NICHOLSON) Hi, are you there bianca
(2-11,O'Dubhain) Dia dhuit Wren!
Yo Stuart!
(2-1,Freepowder) too bad CIM doesn't have macro's F10=HI <G>
(2-9,Bianca) hi stuart
(2-17,Kenneth 23)Freepowder> An bhfuil Gaelige agat?
(2-17,Kenneth 23)Hi all!
(2-1,Freepowder) K> no, I think, <G>
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(2-11,O'Dubhain) Ta', beaga'inin!
(2-29,Nan) what's the topic tonight?
(2-11,O'Dubhain) Tonight we are going to discuss the major Celtic festivals
(2-1,Freepowder) ever try to learn gaelic in Las Vegas? craps yes, but gaelic?
(2-17,Kenneth 23):)
(2-2,STUART NICHOLSON) Bianca are you still there?
(2-17,Kenneth 23)What? You mean there's a "Luxor," and "Aladdin,"
but no "Tara"?!?
(2-11,O'Dubhain) Anyaway I'm the presenter here and everone should listen up
while I do my pitch!<g>
We are going into formal CO mode.
What will follow is a discussion of Celtic Festivals and
their meanings.
(At this point I lost my telephone connection and had to
log back in.)
(2-29,Nan) must've gotten dumped
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Sorry got knocked off line!<G>
(2-1,Freepowder)He falls off occasionally, whiskey I think <G>
(2-17,Kenneth 23)O'Dubhain...I thought a renegade god ate you.
(2-7,O'Dubhain) hahahaha!
(2-2,STUART NICHOLSON) hello...
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Nope a phone call from a damsel in distress!<G>
(2-26,Wren) He's baaaack!
(2-7,O'Dubhain) hahahaha ken!<G>
(2-17,Kenneth 23):) Well a worthy cause, at least
(2-1,Freepowder)too much of the creatur?
(2-7,O'Dubhain) I'm back and let's get going before Mercury goes RX
(2-29,Nan) can/did you turn off your call waiting O'D?
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Now as I was saying I'll present then we discuss
use a ? or a ! to ask a question or request
time to make a remark.
(2-30,Jehana Silverwing) hiya, can't stay for long.
(2-30,Jehana Silverwing) but bianca said hi, so here I am *g*.
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Hi Jehana
here we go:
(2-30,Jehana Silverwing) hello odubh...
(2-9,Bianca) hi pietra
(2-9,Bianca) hi jehana
(2-7,O'Dubhain) The Celts celebrated 8 major festivals during the year. Four of
these festivals are associated with the Sun and four are tied to the phases of the
Moon.

I will briefly discuss the Lunar or Fire Festivals first.

The Celtic year is divided into halves marked by the two great fire festivals of
Samhain and Beltane. The period from Samhain to Beltain is(2-9,Bianca) sid and mindy
called "an Ghrian beag" or the "lessor Sun". The period from Beltain to Samhain is
called "an Ghrian mor" or the "greater Sun". The year is further subdivided by the
other two yearly fire festivals of Imbolc and Lughnesadh.All of the fire festivals
are celebrated at night and are held during the Full Moon. They are primarily
concerned with agriculture, nature, pasturing and livestock.

(2-1,Freepowder)?

(2-7,O'Dubhain) Samhain is the begining of the Celtic year and marks the time of the
Cailleach and the begining of Winter. The doors of the Sidhe are opened on this
night and the veil between the Worlds is thinnest. This is the night that Druids
offered sacrifices (usually the excess cattle that would form the basis of the
Winter's meat stores). This is the time that the Ancestors walk the Earth once more
and cross the thin veil to visit with the living. Samhain is associated with the
province of Munster and the fortress of Tlachtga.

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Beltane marks the begining of Summer and is dedicated to the "Shining One:" or Bel.
Two large bonfires were ignited and cattle were driven between the fires and into
the fields for Summer pasturing. This was also done to purify them from their long
Winter confinement. Men and women were known to leap through the flames for
purification at these fire festivals. Usually the men first then the women (and
after the flames had diminished!<g>). This night is the time when the Sidhe walk
the land and mortals must overcome their Otherworldly enchantments and temptations.
Beltane was the time when divorces were granted in Ireland as well as a night of
release from the Winter. This festival was associated with the province of Connacht
and the fortress of Uisneach.

In ancient Ireland an additional two fire festivals were celebrated: Lughnasadh and
the feast of Tara (celebrated every 3 years).

Lughnasadh was the time of the first harvest and a time of games and competitions.
It is associated with the Goddess of Sovereignty. The God Lugh held this festival
to celibrate the efforts of his fostermother Tailtiu to clear the fields of Ireland
for planting. It was also the time when couples could enter into a "trial marriage"
known as a Brehon
wedding. The couple would clasp hands and thrust them through a circular opening in
a special stone, while announcing to the Brehons (judges and lawyers) that they
intended to live together for a one year trial period. Either party could break the
marriage by a public announcement during the feast of Beltane. This festival lasted
for a month! The feast of Tara was held every three years to distribute laws and
gather records.

An additional festival was added later. This is Imbolc and was held in Leinster to
celebrate the Goddess Brigit. This festival marks the ending of Winter's grip and
the passing of the influence of the Crone or Cailleach to the Maiden of Spring. It
is the time of the first lambs and of new beginings. Brigit's sacred flame was
tended in Leinster in a sacred center for female Druids. This festival was usually
one of the home and the hearth and was usually presided over by the female head of
the house.

The Sun festivals are MidWinter and MidSummer Solstices as well as the Spring and
Vernal Equinoxes. These festivals mark periods of greatest imbalance between the Sun
and the Moon as well as the periods of greatest balance. Not much is known about how
these Sun festivals were celebrated by the Celts, if at all. One source I've read
claims they
are evidence of Anglo-Saxon influences on later Celtic life and practice. Most
authors state that only the lunar festivals were publicly celebrated (at least by
the Irish). Perhaps the Druids used the Solar days for Magick and Divination. I am
still researching these celebrations and am not prepared to discuss them in detail
this evening.

(2-7,O'Dubhain) Perhaps we should discuss the previous presentation before we get to

the Magickal meaning of the Lunar festivals?

FP>ga
(2-1,Freepowder)you answered it <G>
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Ok I know this was a long spiel but now we can discuss it.
The following pieces are much shorter with more room for discussion
(2-1,Freepowder)?
(2-7,O'Dubhain) FP>ga
(2-29,Nan) ?
(2-1,Freepowder)the festivals I have herard of samhain etc. are solar?
(2-1,Freepowder)but not agreed upon?
(2-7,O'Dubhain) The Solar festivals are not really ancient Celtic public festivals.
(2-1,Freepowder)GA
(2-3,Pietra) !
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Samhain is a lunar festival. But More research must be done on the
Solar festivals. ga FP
(2-17,Kenneth 23)Are the Solar festivals mentioned at all in Greek or Roman
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chronicles as Celtic festival days?
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Kenneth >Will get to that question in a minute.
Fp>done?
(2-1,Freepowder)GA
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Nan>ga
(2-29,Nan) two questions, how are the lunar holidays determined (dates) and
what is the connection of
(2-29,Nan) the Sidhe with Beltane?
(2-29,Nan) ga
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Nan>I'll answer those in the following presentation.
Pietra>ga ok
(2-3,Pietra) didn't the people also jump the bonfires?
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Pietra>Yes they did. And sometimes they were sacrificed in them But
that was very long ago. The Human sacrifice was replaced by animal and agricultural
sacrifices.
Kenneth>The Romans influenced the Britains and also the Vikings and Anglo-Saxons
This is where the Sun festivals come from although they could have been Druid
ceremonies closed to the public.
Kenneth>ga
(2-17,Kenneth 23)Hmmm...I see. So as far as readily evident public festival
information goes,
(2-17,Kenneth 23)the Solar festivals are recent -- at least in the sense of
"post-Roman?"
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Kenneth>Yes I believe so. These festivals are part of the Wiccan
year. Because Wicca embraces soo many diff backgrounds and deities. anyway I'm
going to talk a little about the Magickal significance of these holidays and
festivals now. We will use the Oghams from Fionn's Wheel to get an inkling of what
was really going on during these festivals. Any other questions before I start?
ok From the "Crane Bag" of Mannanan mac Lyr The Festival of Imbolc
(First Full Moon in Aquarius) The Feast of the Goddess Brigit.
Ogham Symbol "EA":
Koad or Eadha the Sacred Grove
Death (Tarot).
Unity of the Eight Festivals of the Year.
The Wheel of the Year.
forty shades of green.

Interpretation and Meanings:

This is the festival of new beginings. This is the time when most new life
came forth (first shoots of spring, lambs and the childern that were sired at
Beltain). A celebration of the Triple Goddess, showing the passage of winter and
the advent of summer. The Time of the Maiden who bridges the gap from the Dark Queen
of the UnderWorld to the Red Mother of Life and Plenty. The Mystery here is the
unity of Death and Life through the Promise of the rebirth of the Green World as
represented by Brigit, the Maiden of the hearth, the home, poets and the forge.
Imbolc is the time of divination, augury and seeking of new directions for the year.
I believe that Imbolc is a carry over from an earlier Goddess religion in Ireland.
Discussion or questions anyone?
(2-1,Freepowder)?
(2-7,O'Dubhain) FP>ga
(2-1,Freepowder)Brigit did poets, who did musicians? <G>
(2-1,Freepowder)GA
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Well the Dagdha played a mean harp. And Lugh was multi-talented.
(2-1,Freepowder)LOL
(2-1,Freepowder)no "patron saint" of musicians?
(2-1,Freepowder)GA
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Well Taliesin was the king of Bards And was the greatest of
musicians as well. So he would be your God of Musicians.
(2-1,Freepowder)he was welsh! Amergin maybe? <G>
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(2-7,O'Dubhain) Amergin was also a great bard. He seems to be Taliesin's
counterpart. Ok on to Betaine!
From the "Crane Bag" of Mannanan mac Lyr The Festival of Beltain (First Full
Moon after the Hawthorne's bloom) The Feast of Bel and the twin bonfires.

Ogham Symbol "OI":

Oir Spi'ona'n Eirinen Fair.
Childbirth.
The Spindle of the Wheel.
White or Red.

Interpretation and Meanings:

This is the festival of life. On this day, the sacred fires were lit on the hill of
Tara. Fires were lit on hills across Ireland when the signal fire was observed until
the land was surrounded in a circle of fire. Beltain marks the begining of summer
when the land is filled with plenty. This a time when the ways between the worlds
are open and the Sidhe are most likely to grant gifts to those who seek them early
in the morning. It is also a time that is central to the entire cycle of
agriculture. It is now when the promise of spring is fulfilled. The Maypole
symbolises the fertility rites of this festival. Strange that the red and white
streamers of the Maypole should remind us of the DNA Helix of Life. Life is the
Spindle and Love is the weave. In Ireland
the people dance around a burning bush in a "serpent" dance. Beltaine is the time of
our maturity and the fulfillment of desires.

Questions or should I go on?

(2-1,Freepowder)?
(2-7,O'Dubhain) FP>ga
(2-1,Freepowder)Bel was the god of the dead?...
(2-1,Freepowder)and this was a festival of life? GA
(2-1,Freepowder)<G> Ok
(2-7,O'Dubhain) There is controversy over whether Belenus is really the
God for whom this festival is named. But Belenus, Bael, Bile and Beil are all names
associted with this festival. Some of theses are Sun Gods eg "Shining Ones" Irish
sources say this that Beltaine really means Great Fires!<G>
(2-29,Nan) ? Nan>ga
(2-5,JUAN) HELLO EVERYBODY
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Juan Standby please Co in progress
(2-29,Nan) what if there's no Hawthorn around? how do you know when this
festival is?
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Nan>It's commonly called May Day in Western Europe.
That's May 1 or the closet Full Moon to May 1.
(2-29,Nan) ok
(2-7,O'Dubhain) That's the first full moon in Taurus.
(2-17,Kenneth 23)?
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Kenneth>ga
(2-17,Kenneth 23)Beltane seems to be characterized by masculine symbols -- was it a
special day for men, such as entrance to manhood festivals, or such?
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Kenneth>It was a day of festivities for both men and women It's also
associated with the first Battle of Moytura. Women and men both fought in that
battle.
(2-17,Kenneth 23)<nod> Was there any particular ascent to adulthood ritual in Celtic
festivities?
(2-17,Kenneth 23)I see...
(2-7,O'Dubhain) All the festivals were used as rites of initiation since this was a
time of gathering of the clans. many times a boy would be initiated by graduating
from warrior training or bardic training he could then demonstrate his prowess.
(2-17,Kenneth 23)Ah...I see. So anything involving community could be done on those
days (including Bhar Mitzvas :D)?
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Something like that! and also lots of games and competitions.
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(2-7,O'Dubhain) Pressing on here From the "Crane Bag" of Mannanan mac Lyr

The Festival of Lughnasadh

(First Full Moon in Leo)
The Feast of the God Lugh.
Ogham Symbol "UI":
Uinllean Fea' Ffawyddean Beech or Phagos.
Chieftain.
Magickal Hardness and Resistance.
Ancient Wisdom as a foundation.
Tawny or light roebuck.
Interpretation and Meanings:
This festival is linked to many ancient practices in Ireland. Contracts, marriages
and other binding agreements were made on this day. This is the day of the Marriage
of Lugh. It is also the day when the performance of the clan chiefs was evaluated
and perhaps a new chief was chosen. This is the time of the great horse fair and
fittingly enough the marriage of the King to the land. This could sometimes involve
a ritual whereby the new king was symbollically mated with a horse, Symbolizing the
Goddess of Sovereignty. The first harvest had already been reaped.
Ogham Symbol "IO":
Pethbol Guelder Rose
The step into the Inner Mysteries.
Pink or Pale.
The dance of life.
The Crane Dance.
Interpretation and Meanings:
Since this festival is linked to the young god Lugh that replaces the older god
Nuada, it is also linked to the mysteries as Lugh is "Samildanach" or
"multi-talented". It is very possible that a series of examinations was given to
Druidic students on this day, corresponding to the series of tests that Lugh had to
pass in competitions with the other Gods before he was admitted to their company.
One such contest is in the throwing of stones or chariot wheels that occurred during
the weeks of this fair. Another is the playing of board games at this time such as
"fidchell", a game played with wooden pieces (possibly Oghams) and similar we are
told to chess. My own opinion is that it was a kind of divination. The point here
being that just as Lugh proved himself worthy to join the company of the Gods by
being "Samildanach", so I interpret this symbol to imply that new Druids were
admitted to the inner mysteries and Circles by passing their tests during this
festival.
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Questions?
(2-17,Kenneth 23)?
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Kenneth!>ga
(2-17,Kenneth 23)Sorry...just one little thing I've always wondered -- Fidchell, and
games like it in other celtic groups, are mentioned frequently in literature and
legend. Are there any surviving fidchell sets? How is information known about the
game?

(2-7,O'Dubhain) Kenneth>Not much is known about the game. No sets survive but it
must have been something! Everyone was playing it!<G>
more? ga
(2-17,Kenneth 23)No...that's all, thanks!
(2-1,Freepowder)O'D? GA
(2-7,O'Dubhain) ok
From the "Crane Bag" of Mannanan mac Lyr
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The Festival of Samhain

(First Full Moon in Scorpio)
Ogham Symbol "AE":
Amancholl, Mor, Xi, Pe'ine, The Scotch Pine.
Shower of the Way.
Marker of the Ley Lines.
Bringer of Illumination.
The Container of Wisdom,
The Sacred Pine Cone, Buarci'n.
Spirit.
The Sea. Green or Black.

Interpretation and Meanings:

There are many meanings to this symbol. The first is the Sea representing the
darkest depths and also the source of all life. The mystery here is that as life
ends, so it begins in the same place and from the same source, the Sea (or
Otherworld for which it is a symbol). This celebration honored the Night of the
Dead, when the ancestors walked the Earth once more and the ancient knowledge could
be re-acquired. It also celebrated the mating of the Dagdha with the Morrigan, the
Queen of Death and Darkness, the Washer at the Ford. She gives the Dagdha the
advice to assemble the Aes Dana or skilled ones and to advance upon the
Fomorians at Maige Turedh. The Goddess of War then goes to kill the King of the
Fomorians (Indech mac De Domnann) in his tent at Scetne. The Second Battle of Maige
Turedh (Moytura) is won by the De Danaans on Samhain. I interpret this story of the
Dagdha (The All Father)with the Goddess of Darkness (The Triple Morrigan) to mean
that the will of the One was united in the Power of Dark and Light to be used during
this "gray time" of twilight. The Spiritual aspects overcome the Mental and Physical
aspects (the Fomorians and the Firbolgs, defeated in the first Battle of Maige
Turedh) to claim the Land and ALL that is. The victory of the Spirit assures us that
the Wheel will turn eternally and that the three aspects of humanity are forged
together through the two battles of Maige Turedh. Please read Steve Blamires's
excellent interpretations in his work "The Irish Celtic Magical Tradition". This
last marriage of the Dagdha and Morrigan also represents the mystery of life from
death.
I believe that to be the Ultimate Mystery of Druidism or any other religion.
(2-7,O'Dubhain) questions?
(2-1,Freepowder)?
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Fp>ga
(2-1,Freepowder)did the Irish believe in reincarnation? GA
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Yes they did. They believed that when you were re-incarnated, it
would hold true to the bloodlines. Like maybe you are your great grandfather or
grand mother re-incarnated!<G>
(2-1,Freepowder)not "karmic" then?
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Not a great deal of karma there. They did hold each accountable for
their life's actions.
(2-1,Freepowder)what about if you are adopted? <VBG>
(2-7,O'Dubhain) he Irish also believed in "fosterage" so that you became "blood
brothers". So I suppose you could re-incarnate in someone else that way!<G>
(2-1,Freepowder)LOL
(2-7,O'Dubhain) yep.
More questions or What shall we discuss next time?
(2-1,Freepowder)?
(2-7,O'Dubhain) FP>ga you devil!<G>
(2-1,Freepowder)was the Morrigan just death and destruction ...
(2-1,Freepowder)or had she redeeming qualitys?
(2-2,Pietra) celtic Music (lol)
(2-7,O'Dubhain) HAhahaha! She might have played the bones perhaps!<G>
(2-1,Freepowder)ROFL!
(2-2,Pietra) !
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(2-7,O'Dubhain) The Morrigan was also the patroness of Magick and WItches!<G>
Pietra>ga
(2-2,Pietra) got another Cd for you Great fire away I declare the Workshop ended!
Thanks for coming you diehards!<G>
(2-29,Nan) thanks O'D! great info see ya next week......if i can rent a 'puter
on the road, sigh
(2-1,Freepowder)good job, as usual! Next time?
(2-17,Kenneth 23)<clapping> Thanks for the presentation! I'm glad I had the
recording option on!

(2-7,O'Dubhain) Ta failte romhat!(you're welcome)

I will post it in the library in the next few days.
(2-29,Nan) what's next week's subject?
(2-2,Pietra) Amam by the Clannad produced by cbs records even has
(2-2,Pietra) the lyrics in Gaelic printed
(2-1,Freepowder)P> ever listen to planxty or de dannan?
(2-7,O'Dubhain) I might touch on Sun festivals and stone circles as well as passage
graves and the Underworld.
(2-17,Kenneth 23)Has human sacrifice been done as a workshop topic? Esp.
symbolic/actual sacrifice of rulers?
(2-29,Nan) bye all, see ya later
(2-2,Pietra) Free>no who does it?
(2-17,Kenneth 23)Bye Nan!
(2-1,Freepowder)Slan leat Nan
(2-1,Freepowder)P> that's the name of the groups <G>
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Kenneth>Not yet. Slan Nan!
(2-2,Pietra) Free>oops
(2-17,Kenneth 23)That might be a fun topic. Well, fun for us, not for whoever got
sacrificed...
(2-1,Freepowder)P> older more traditional than Clannad...
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Kenneth>It'll take some research to dig out the details
like the Wicker man and other good stuff.
(2-2,Pietra) free> I'm nagging O'Dubh into buying Celtic Odyssey and
(2-2,Pietra) then he'll thank me
(2-1,Freepowder)Enya was IN clannad before she went solo, (useless trivia)
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Kenneth>Like torturing a volunteer to death to do a divination.
(2-2,Pietra) free> it's traditional too
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Pietra>I'm going for it just haven't found it yet.
(2-17,Kenneth 23)Enya is part of the Dunnan family, which is most of Clannad.
(2-1,Freepowder)Music in magick & vice versa, do that O'D!
(2-7,O'Dubhain) FP>Great idea!!
(2-17,Kenneth 23)I was lucky enough to see Clannad in concert last year!
(2-7,O'Dubhain) <----needs to get his Pythagorian stuff from home.
(2-2,Pietra) O'Dubh bbi griosghrua garth 'aicr'
(2-1,Freepowder)P> try the chieftains too.
(2-2,Pietra) ok thanks free
(2-17,Kenneth 23)O'D> I would be more than willing to assist in research regarding
sacrifice, if possible.
(2-2,Pietra) Kenneth >yep says so right here! (in my phamplet)
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Kenneth>Thanks I'll try outlining wwhat i need in a post to you.
(2-1,Freepowder)P> & the Bothy boys if you like acordian <G>... or was that Boys of
the Lough...hmmm
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Pietra>What is that something about being glad I'm so sunny when
you're near me?
(2-2,Pietra) kenneth > Enya is solo now
(2-17,Kenneth 23)There was a concert w/ the Chieftains and many famous
country/western singers, including Willie Nelsen, Alabama, and others, which
(2-17,Kenneth 23)showed Country music's Celtic roots.
(2-17,Kenneth 23)p > I know, and I'm sick of waiting for her next album to come out!
(G)
(2-2,Pietra) Thanks I wondered what it meant O'Dubh
(2-17,Kenneth 23)it's been a couple years!
(2-7,O'Dubhain) <_----Thinking about hitting Clancy's in Manhatten.
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(2-1,Freepowder)Clancy's are Waaaay Coool!
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Pietra>Are you sure about the spelling?
(2-2,Pietra) O'Dubh > I only tease the people I like Now you're definitly
(2-2,Pietra) on the way to Clancy's
(2-1,Freepowder)been teaching my Boy Scouts their Irish drinking songs, will get me
in trouble one of these days!
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Pietra>I'll work out the translation later. FP>Yep Tom Clancy owns
the place. What are those scouts adrinkin FP?<G>
(2-2,Pietra) bhi griosghura garth' aicr' gus loinhir ina ciabh mar or Can see
good now I turned the light on
(2-1,Freepowder)O'D how do you find the wood u use in the US? same trees? close?
(2-7,O'Dubhain) FP>close to the same trees
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Kenneth>I need to upload a file on the similarities and the
locations. Also had a message about it as well.
(2-1,Freepowder)O'D > water but sometimes I wonder what their parents think when
they come home singing Whiskey you're the Divil!
(2-1,Freepowder)>or wild rover no more!<G>
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Just tell them uisce is Gaeilge for water and sounds like
WHiskey!<G>
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Pietra>will translate later.
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Folks>Gotta see a lady about some hugs!<G>
(2-17,Kenneth 23)Does anyone know of ritual use of intoxicants by the Celts, aside
from alcohol?
(2-1,Freepowder)I can't even find a gaelic to english dictionary here!
(2-2,Pietra) all> i like the music because it strikes a chord inside. but I don't
know the lingo at all
(2-7,O'Dubhain) See you in the Forum; same time next week.
(2-1,Freepowder)K> isn't alcohol enough?
(2-2,Pietra) I think this means we get the brush-off now
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Kenneth>Druids drank a lot of strange stuff.
(2-9,Blood Falcon) Hi all
(2-7,O'Dubhain) might post a few brews!<G>
(2-2,Pietra) S'lain o'Dub
(2-7,O'Dubhain) now now Pietra.
(2-1,Freepowder)thanks again O'D!
(2-1,Freepowder)Slan leat!
(2-17,Kenneth 23)I'd love to hear of 'em!
(2-17,Kenneth 23)Slan leat, O'D!
(2-7,O'Dubhain) I do have to do my gentlemanly duties you know!<G>
Slan Agat!
(2-9,Blood Falcon) Bye O'D
(2-7,O'Dubhain) Beannacht De' is Bande' leat!
(2-17,Kenneth 23)Slan abhaile!

CELTIC WORKSHOP #4 - CELTIC MUSIC

This an edited transcript of the fOURTH Celtic Workshop presented by
Searles O'Dubhain. The topic for the evening was scheduled to be
Celtic Music and Magick in general, the Role of Bards and Druids in
Celtic Music, the Music Ogham - Aradach Fionn, Tree tones and their
musical associations and some example folk songs and their interpretations.
(2-11,Nan) hi!
(2-8,O'Dubh) I see you found a laptop!<G>
(2-11,Nan) I've got to get used to translating to west coast times <g>
(2-8,O'Dubh) It's like 7 there right?
(2-11,Nan) actually i rented a IIsi (mac)
(2-11,Nan) yep
(2-11,Nan) i decided to go for the color <g>
(2-2,Rilla) Evening!
(2-8,O'Dubh) what sort of work are you doing?
(2-11,Nan) hi n huggs rilla
(2-8,O'Dubh) Hugs Rilla!
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(2-2,Rilla) hugs!
(2-8,O'Dubh) Rilla.We are gathering up here.
(2-2,Rilla) mind if I lurk?
(2-8,O'Dubh) No prob
(2-11,Nan) work? well......I'm getting ready to move into my new house in June...
(2-8,O'Dubh) Hi LF!
(2-11,Nan) making decisions like carpet, paint etc.
(2-9,Rose) Rose?
(2-8,O'Dubh) Hi Rose!<G>
(2-11,Nan) sorta work sorta not
(2-9,Rose) Hi!
(2-4,Lord Falcon) <bow>Good evening all
(2-11,Nan) hi rose
(2-20,Freepowder) Dia duit all!
(2-11,Nan) hi falcom
(2-2,Rilla) Hi all!
(2-9,Rose) Yes, Hello!
(2-11,Nan) hi fp
(2-8,O'Dubh) Dia duit, a Fhreepowder!
(2-20,Freepowder) oh yeahm hang on
(2-20,O'Ba'n) There, that's better!
(2-8,O'Dubh) Everyone here knows we are gonna do a Workshop, right?
(2-20,O'Ba'n) Ta'
(2-8,O'Dubh) Slainte!
(2-8,O'Dubh) <=====Typing is getting worse instead of better.
(2-20,O'Ba'n) I have a dram o' the creatur right here too! Slainte"
(2-22,Wren) Hi, folks. Dia dhuit.
(2-2,Rilla) Dia dhuit, Wren!
(2-8,O'Dubh) Dia Dhuit, a Whren!<G>
(2-20,O'Ba'n) O'd how do you say hello to a bunch of folks, same way?
(2-22,Wren) Hey Rilla, brought some chocolate chips cookies .... <g>
(2-2,Rilla) ha!
(2-8,O'Dubh) FP>yep!
(2-2,Rilla) <swat!>
(2-2,Rilla) no fair!
(2-2,Rilla) I wont look!
(2-20,O'Ba'n) ok.
(2-8,O'Dubh) well boys and girls shall we start clearing our throats?
(2-22,Wren) ahem
(2-20,O'Ba'n) ARRRGGGHHH, hack hack!
(2-8,O'Dubh) <======listening to the hackers.<G>
(2-9,Rose) Hmmm.
(2-2,Rilla) hehe
(2-2,Rilla) ahem!
(2-2,Rilla) <how's that?>
(2-11,Nan) cough cough
(2-8,O'Dubh) Ok let's get started!
(2-11,Nan) <ptuie> 'scuse me <g>
(2-8,O'Dubh) Before I begin let me say a few words about how the Workshop is
conducted. We will first hear from a presenter, tonight that is me. If you have a
question type in a ? and I will acknowledge
you by tyoing "ga" at and appropriate time. When you have finished your question
type "ga" to let me know that I may respond. When
we are finished I will acknowledge the next questioner in a similar manner. If you
have a comment or additional information to provide
on a topic, please use the "!" to signal me. I will also cycle through those with
comments in a similar manner. If their are no questions at this point I will begin
tonight's presentation.
(2-5,Seanchai) ?
(2-8,O'Dubh) The topics I plan to cover tonight are:
Music and Magick in general.
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Role of Bards and Druids in Celtic Music.
Aradach Fionn, Tree tones and associations
Some example folk songs and interpretations.
(2-8,O'Dubh) Seanchai ga.
(2-5,Seanchai) Patience is a virtue I need to learn in a hurry.
(2-5,Seanchai) I was going to ask, what's tonight's topic.
(2-8,O'Dubh) ok !<G>
(2-5,Seanchai) Ga
(2-20,O'Ba'n) LOL!
(2-11,Nan) lol
(2-9,Rose) ditto
(2-8,O'Dubh) Anyone that has ever done Magick knows that it involves resonances and
associations. Magick has many color associations as well
as musical associations. We have all experienced the magick of music in contemporary
music. Sometimes this can be in the form of attending
a concert, othertimes it can be when we are alone and listening to our favorites
tunes. Modern day religious services take advantage of the Magick inherit to music
to enhance their worship services. This can be in singing hymns or hearing organ and
choral anthems. I'm sure that we will all agree that music in such sitruarions
alters our state of being. We are uplifted and changed by the ritual music we
experience. It should be no surprise that the ancient Celts used music in a similar
manner. In Morgan Llwellyn's "Druids" we find an example of such a Druidic use of
music in Magick. The chief Druid of a village would greet the Sun with song and
lead the village each day in welcoming the Sun back from the Underworld. When the
Sun set, another farewell song was enjoined. This practice is still followed by some
in Celtic lands to this day. Examples of such incantations and greetings to the Sun
may be found in the "Carmenica Gadetica" a vast resources of ancient and rercent
Celtic verse and song.

(2-8,O'Dubh) Please pardon the typos!<G> In many Magick systems, Words of Power
using the names of the Gods are used to create resonances within the Magical Circle
so that the Magicians may attain a higher state of awareness. The use of these words
also serves to open the internal "Power Centers" or "Chakras" of the participants.
These godnames are constructed using the letters of the Magickal alphabets of the
respective Magickal systems as well as the natural tones and the corresponding
resonances that are associated with each letter or symbol.
For example:

YHVH Yud Heh Vahv He

(a Kaballistic godname)

(2-8,O'Dubh) An incantaion of a godname becomes a chant with its own inherent melody
and rhythm. Such sounds generated form an occult alphabet are thought by Magicians
to have inherit Power in their sounds and to generate Magickal resonances within the
Magician and the Circle. It is my belief that the ancient Celts and Druids used
music and sounds from their secret Ogham alphabet to aid them in working Magick in a
similar manner.

(2-8,O'Dubh) Druidic Bards studied for 15 to 20 years to learn the epics, chants,
spells and histories of their peoples and clans. These works were memorized exactly
and were a requirement for advancement to a higher or inner level of the Druidic
ranks. The works had to be rendered with feeling so that the listener would be
spell bound and consequently could relive the event. The Irish Druids had the
following classes of Bards:

Class # of Epics
__________________________________________
Driseg 20 (the Beginner)
Foclaic 30 (Advanced beginner)
Cili 100 (Journeyman)
Anraid 175 (Master/Warrior)
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Ollomh 175+ (Doctor/Judge)
(2-8,O'Dubh) Bards learned to play the pipes, the whistle, the harp, the lyre, the
flute, the sistrum and the bodrun among other instruments.
According to Murry Hope these instruments, were used based upon the mood or tone
that the particular Bardic work required. He gives a table of the following
correspondences:
The Flute - Air (later the Organ)
The Harp - Water
The Sistrum - Earth (The Bells or Bodrun)
The Lyre - Fire
Poets and Bards carried branches with bells and amulets attached to them. A
beginner's branch would be bronze, journeymen carried a silver
branch and the Master Bards carried a golden branch. The music of the bells would
announce the Bard's presence and an impending performance.
(2-8,O'Dubh) Nan ga
(2-11,Nan) what's a sistrum?
(2-11,Nan) ga
(2-8,O'Dubh) It's a stringed instrument that one beats I believe. Anyone got an
opinion?
(2-2,Rilla) Ray confirms that.
(2-20,O'Ba'n) ?
(2-2,Rilla) Precursor of the lute maybe?
(2-8,O'Dubh) perhaps.
(2-9,Rose) I understand that one shakes it like Isis does in the pictures.
(2-22,Wren) Similar to a hammered dulcimer?
(2-8,O'Dubh) That's what I was thinking, Wren.
(2-11,Nan) or a tambourine?
(2-9,Rose) I have a picture of one...
(2-8,O'Dubh) Rose ga
(2-9,Rose) it looks like a tennis racket.
(2-9,Rose) with hooks.
(2-8,O'Dubh) And you beat it right?
(2-9,Rose) I think so.
(2-8,O'Dubh) ok Nan any further questions?
(2-11,Nan) got it, thanks
(2-9,Rose) shake it.
(2-20,O'Ba'n)an ancient metal frame with numerous metal rods that jingle when
shaken, websters.
(2-9,Rose) bravo.
(2-8,O'Dubh) great!
(2-20,O'Ba'n) ?
(2-11,Nan) no, ga
(2-8,O'Dubh) O'ba'n?
(2-8,O'Dubh) ok let's roll!
(2-20,O'Ba'n) wait
(2-8,O'Dubh) O'ban ga!
(2-20,O'Ba'n) are the instruments dedicated to...
(2-20,O'Ba'n) their various areas based on the tonal range they cover or...
(2-20,O'Ba'n) the quality of the sound?
(2-20,O'Ba'n) ga
(2-8,O'Dubh) It's the quality of the sound mostly. The same way they would be
scored in an orchestra for instance.
(2-20,O'Ba'n) ok.
(2-20,O'Ba'n) ga
(2-8,O'Dubh) ga
(2-20,O'Ba'n) no, you ga!
(2-20,O'Ba'n) <G>|
(2-8,O'Dubh) My own belief is that the Bards usually accompanied themselves with the
harp as they recited their repertorie. Just as Oghams were used as keys to memory
with verses being linked by assonance and alliteration, I believe that each Ogham
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had a unique tone or note associated with it on the harp. The tone or string was
struck as the Ogham sound was spoken or sung two notes per line. The begining and
ending notes serving to connect each line to the next line in a continuing stream.
In the world of my my imagination I can hear the tones and words of the Bards
echoing as they float upon a wave of melody acroos the room. The sound reminds me
of chanting monks or the plainsong of worship (similar to modern Anglican or Roman
Catholic Plainsong).
(2-8,O'Dubh) Sean O'Boyle, a late Irish scholar, made an attempt to interpret
"Aradach Fionn" (Fionn's Ladder) as harp tabulature using Oghams. He suggested that
the Irish practice harp that has only 20 strings has a 1 to 1 correspondence to the
first 20 Oghams. As far as I know,no records survived to reach us verifying his
theory. It seems to make sense to me but I only speculate.

(2-8,O'Dubh) A modern work "Trees for Healing" by Chase and Pawlik, reinforces this
belief for me. This book is all about trees, their lore and their spirits. It
describes techniques for meditation to determine the harmonic resonaces for a
variety of trees. I believe that the ancient Druids also detected certain harmonic
tones for each tree and used then in their Tree Ogham Alphabet. If we use the tones
that have been rediscovered by Chase and Pawlik and combine them with the ancient
chants, incantations and songs of Taliesin and Amergin, we may also be able to work
powerful Magicks. This Magick can take any form from enchanting an audience to
calling the winds. The Greek Bard Orpheus was able to walk between the worlds in
this manner and so can we. I list the trees and the derived modern tonal
correspondences below:

Ogham Old Irish English Musical Note

____________________________________________________

B Beith Birch F

L Luis Rowan C

F Fearn Alder E

S Saille Willow F

N Nuin Ash G

____________________________________________________

H Huathe Hawthorn B

D Duir Oak F

T Tinne Holly G

C Coll Hazel D

Q Quert Apple. D#

____________________________________________________
M Muin Vine G

G Gort Ivy G

Ng Ngetal Reed F

St Straif Blackthorn B

R Ruis Elder A
____________________________________________________

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A Ailim Silver Fir A
O Ohn Furze E
U Ur Heather B
E Eadha White Poplar E
I Ioho Yew F
____________________________________________________
Ch,Ea Koad Grove F
Oi,Th Oir Spindle C
Ui Uilleand Honeysuckle D
Ph Phagos Beech A
Xi Mor The Sea G
(2-8,O'Dubh) Some of these tones were derived by meditation and resonance, some are
based upon the colors associated with the Oghams. My suggestion is to
(2-11,Nan) ?
(2-8,O'Dubh) find such a tree yourself and to meditate under it. play a pipe, a
whistle or a harp (even a guitar will do in a pinch!<G>) until you find
(2-22,Wren) ?
(2-20,O'Ba'n)?
the correct tone for the tree. Other tones will reflect from the tree.
The "soul tone" of the tree will be absorbed and you will possibly feel a tingle of
energy that is released by the Spirit of the Tree. This experience is somewhat akin
to the common belief in Ireland (even today) that a particularily gifted musician,
harper or piper has been taught by the Sidhe (famed for their enchanted music).
Celts believe in harmony and rightness in all things and particularily in Nature.
(2-8,O'Dubh) Nan ga
(2-11,Nan) I noticed that many different oghams had the same note...
are these the same notes or are they in differing octaves? ga
(2-8,O'Dubh) The table I presented is not cast in stone!<G>
(2-11,Nan) or even in wood? <G>
(2-8,O'Dubh) The first approach has each ogham on a different tone For Fionn's
ladder for instance. The second approach used meditation techniques to determine
the "soul tones" of the trees Some trees evidently have a similar feel to them. I
think that the table needs some work myself. Perhaps one of the more musically
gifted members could undertake such a study!
(2-24,da Medic) ?
(2-8,O'Dubh) ?<G>
(2-8,O'Dubh) ga Nan
(2-8,O'Dubh) additional questions?
(2-8,O'Dubh) If not then Wren was next.
(2-20,O'Ba'n) !
(2-11,Nan) no, i think wren had some though
(2-8,O'Dubh) Wren ga
(2-22,Wren) Already answered, thanks. Gotta go, g'nite!
(2-8,O'Dubh) Sla'n Wren!
(2-11,Nan) g'night wren
(2-8,O'Dubh) O'ba'n ga
(2-20,O'Ba'n) need to have the transmogrification of what tree is which out west for
me to do it...
(2-20,O'Ba'n) but with that I'd love to do the tree/tone thing!
(2-8,O'Dubh) Ok I'll put a table in the library this week.
(2-20,O'Ba'n) GA
(2-24,da Medic) does this explain the prevalence of willow/oak in celtic magicks?
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ga.
(2-20,O'Ba'n) Cool!
(2-8,O'Dubh) da Medic ga
(2-24,da Medic) sorry, saw the ga.
(2-8,O'Dubh) Yes it does to some extent. I have entire books on nothing but healing
properties of trees. I'm sure Druids knew much more.
(2-11,Nan) ?
(2-8,O'Dubh) Nan ga
(2-11,Nan) could you please post a bibliography of some of those books??? (pretty
please?)
(2-11,Nan) ga
(2-8,O'Dubh) Ok will do that as well this week!<G>
(2-20,O'Ba'n) yes! yes!
(2-8,O'Dubh) Now to continue...
Some of this Magick comes down to us today in the form of folk songs
still sung in the outer reaches of Ireland and the British Isles. Such a song is
the "Padstow May Song" from Padstow, Cornwall (in part):
"Unite and unite and let us unite
For summer is acome unto day
And whither we are going we will all unite
In the merry morning of May."

"I warn you young men everyone

To go into the greenwood and
fetch your May home."

"Arise up Mr. _______ and joy you betide

And bright is your bride that lies
by your side."

"Arise up Mrs. _______ and gold be your ring

And give to us a cup of ale the merrier
we shall sing."

"Arise up Miss ______ all in your gown of green

You are as fine a lady as wait upon the Queen."
"Now fare you well, and we bid you
all good cheer
We call once more unto your house
before another year."

(2-8,O'Dubh) I interpret this song to mean this:

This song is sung on Beltaine and is said to
charge the atmosphere of the festival. It
symbolizes the marriage of the youth with
the land. (Unite and unite and let us unite)
It also adresses 3 individuals: A man, a
woman and a Maiden in a green gown
(who represents Nature).
This song is sung around the May Pole or
May bonfires in the evening (and prior to
anyone escaping to the outer folds of
darkness for an evening of bliss <g>).

(2-8,O'Dubh) Another ancient folk song that has hidden meanings of Magick is the
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song "Green Grow the Rushes":
" One of them is all alone and
ever more shall be so.
Two of them are lily-white boys
all clothed all in green Oh!
Three of them are strangers o'er the
wide world they are rangers.
Four it is the Dilly Hour when
blooms the Gilly Flower.
Five it is the Dilly Bird that's
seldom seen but heard.
Six is the Ferryman in the boat that
o'er the river floats, Oh!
Seven are the Seven Stars in the Sky,
the Shining Stars be Seven, Oh!
Eight it is the Morning's break when
all the World's awake, Oh!
Nine it is the pale Moonshine,
the shining Moon is nine, Oh!
Ten Forgives all kinds of Sin,
from Ten begin again, Oh! "
(2-8,O'Dubh) This song can be interpreted to mean:
1. There is One Power.
2. The God has two aspects (Light and Dark).
3. The Celts are a wadering people with
the sacred number of "3".
4. The 4th Ogham is the Alder sacred to Bran
the Blessed and his sister Branwen "the
Gilly Flower".
5. The Wizard Merlin as well as the sacred
number of the Celtic Gods (not to mention
the number of points on a Pentagram).
6. Keridwen's Coracle that ferries us to
the Underworld.
7. The sacred number of sea gods and the stars
in the crown of Arianrhod.
8. The number of judgement or resurrection.
9. The Triple Moon Goddess Thrice emphasized
The number of Priestesses that guard the
Cauldron of Rebirth.
10.The necessity to find our "True Selves"
in order to understand the Inner Mysteries.
The endless cycle of death and rebirth.
(2-8,O'Dubh) Everone still awake?<G>
(2-20,O'Ba'n) ?
(2-2,Rilla) <I am!>
(2-8,O'Dubh) O'Ba'n ga!
(2-20,O'Ba'n) this is your interpretation?
(2-20,O'Ba'n) GA
(2-8,O'Dubh) It is also Murry Hope's interpretation. I have seen a different
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version of this song.
(2-20,O'Ba'n) <patting self on back> suits me! GA
(2-8,O'Dubh) that is used by OATh coven and had hoped that perhaps they would be
here tonight.
(2-24,da Medic) !
(2-8,O'Dubh) da Medic ga
(2-24,da Medic) Cunningham also had summat similar ga.
(2-8,O'Dubh) Which book?
ga
(2-24,da Medic) Not sure, will check & advise, methinks in Earth Air Fire water ga
(2-8,O'Dubh) Ok I have that one here will check in a min. let's finish up a bit
first!
(2-8,O'Dubh) Perhaps some of you have some ancient or even modern Celtic folk songs
that you would like to share with us this evening? You could enter them here and we
could discuss them in detail or maybe just take them to our hearts and embrace their
inner messages (for Celtic Music is a music of the Heart and Soul). I know that many
of you are very into Celtic Music. I'd like to have each of us contribute the names
and titles of our favorite performers and songss.

(2-8,O'Dubh) My favorite song is the "Rising Of the Moon" by the Clancy Brothers and
Tommy Liam.

(2-24,da Medic) !
(2-8,O'Dubh) da Medic ga
(2-24,da Medic) Joe doughterty's lament, black 47
(2-24,da Medic) ga
(2-8,O'Dubh) ok ! Others?
(2-20,O'Ba'n) <embarrased> all mine deal with young maidens getting taken advantage
of or with drinking, mostly poiti'n (e.g.Cruiscean lan)
(2-11,Nan) !
(2-8,O'Dubh) hahaha LOL O'Ba'n !!
(2-20,O'Ba'n) !
(2-8,O'Dubh) O'Ba'n ga
(2-26,Adam) ?
(2-11,Nan) there are sooooo many i can't chose a favorite, but one of the more
interesting is "the Tain" by Horselips ga
(2-8,O'Dubh) neat nan!
(2-20,O'Ba'n) Do you know Ben phagin? I have it but no translation, also the well
below the valley o!
(2-8,O'Dubh) Most Celtic songs I've heard always have a hidden meaning
(2-20,O'Ba'n) GA
(2-8,O'Dubh) un minuto OB!
(2-8,O'Dubh) Adam question? ga
(2-26,Adam) OD, I lost some of your send :P Which is your favorite song?
(2-8,O'Dubh) Adam> My favorite song is the Rising of the Moon. by the Clancy
Brothers and Tommy Liam.
(2-24,da Medic) !
(2-20,O'Ba'n) O'flaherty's drake!
(2-26,Adam) thanks :)
(2-8,O'Dubh) OB>Have that one as well.
(2-8,O'Dubh) OB ga
(2-24,da Medic) gotta go do the work thing-Blesed Be! ga
(2-20,O'Ba'n) that one is all about english occupation and resistance as related to
a duck <G>
(2-11,Nan) lol
(2-8,O'Dubh) OB>I know it well (it's about a goose I thought)
(2-20,O'Ba'n) how 'bout 5 (or 7) nights drunk!
(2-11,Nan) ?
(2-8,O'Dubh) But it's really about a man that was killed by the English. They had
to sing it in riddles to avoid being hanged.
(2-20,O'Ba'n) O'D> and how we has plenty of relatives to take up the fight!
(2-8,O'Dubh) That's right. I am reading Trinity right now. about the fight for
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home rule.
(2-8,O'Dubh) more favorites out there?
(2-4,Da Shad) OD, went to an Irish festival this weekend...
(2-2,Rilla) <great book!>
(2-4,Da Shad) and was really shocked at how strong a presense that the
IRA had there, several booths for signing petitions and sending money to the IRA.
Pledges even!
(2-20,O'Ba'n) "bad luck to the savage to grease his white cabbage that wantonly
murdered me beautiful drake" BTW Drakes are male ducks...
(2-20,O'Ba'n) Ganders are male geese <G>
(2-11,Nan) <---going to the Chieftans next w'end <VBG>
(2-20,O'Ba'n) <green>
(2-8,O'Dubh) Da Shad>They need to do something settle the issues up there.
(2-8,O'Dubh) OB>Yer right yer scoundrel.
:P~
(2-8,O'Dubh) Nan>great!
(2-8,O'Dubh) Any ideas about next week's Workshop?
(2-4,Da Shad) If the IRA really wanted to get the brits out...
(2-8,O'Dubh) Hint hint hint!
(2-4,Da Shad) they just need to blow up the shipyards in Northern Ireland.
(2-20,O'Ba'n) I spoke to an Irishman who was probably in the IRA
since he denied it...
(2-4,Da Shad) Once there is no more economic value in northern ireland...
(2-11,Nan) how about a workshop on stone circles etc.
(2-4,Da Shad) there owuld be no more need for the brits to keep troops there.
(2-20,O'Ba'n) his theory was for the Brits to just pull out, I said "bloodbath would
follow", he said...
(2-8,O'Dubh) Nan> Great idea!!
(2-4,StonedAgain) Just call me stonie! (g)
(2-20,O'Ba'n) yes for 3-5 yrs then it would settle down and achieve normalcy with
the rest of Ireland
(2-11,Nan) is this wkshp officially over? (loggin on long distance here)
(2-20,O'Ba'n) one would guess <G>
(2-8,O'Dubh) yes Nan we're done for the night.
(2-2,Rilla) Nice job, Odie!
(2-4,Shadow Hawk) Gee, didn't realize that there was a workshop going on, sorry.
(2-2,Rilla) <impressed>
(2-8,O'Dubh) Thanks Rilla!<G>
(2-11,Nan) thanks for another great one O'D', see y'all next week!
(2-8,O'Dubh) Sla'n Nan!
(2-11,Nan) bye
(2-8,O'Dubh) Ta failte romhat!
(2-2,Rilla) night Nan~!
(2-20,O'Ba'n) gabhaim buiochas, O'Dubh
(2-20,O'Ba'n) Slan nan!
(2-20,O'Ba'n) did I get that right O;d?
(2-8,O'Dubh) OB>A Gaeilge/Bearla dictionary is a dangerous thing to have!
(2-20,O'Ba'n) ROFL! TOO RIGHT!
(2-20,O'Ba'n) do you know the tune well below the valley?
(2-2,Rilla) OB> are you a Bard?
(2-8,O'Dubh) OB> no
(2-20,O'Ba'n) R> wannabe
(2-2,Rilla) do you do music?
(2-20,O'Ba'n) I suspect that has all kinds of hidden meanings,
will send in msg so you can figger it out <G>
(2-26,Adam) OD, I enjoyed sitting in on the workshop :)
(2-26,Adam) it was my first in this forum.
(2-20,O'Ba'n) R> *I* play Feadog! (tinwhistle)
(2-8,O'Dubh) Adam>Thanks for coming!
Go raibh maith agat!<G>
(2-20,O'Ba'n) pleased to have you Adam!
(2-2,Rilla) oh!
(2-2,Rilla) neat!
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(2-15,SCOTT ZAGER) M
(2-8,O'Dubh) OB> I bet rising Of the Moon Is great on the tin whistle.
My daughter plays it on her flute.
(2-20,O'Ba'n) R> AND it's a grand Irish voice I';m havin' <laughing hysterically>
(2-8,O'Dubh) Rilla> Guess what?
(2-2,Rilla) I saw all kinds of cool stuff in the Lark in the Morning catalog
(2-2,Rilla) tin whistles and ancient instruments...
(2-2,Rilla) they were really expensive though
(2-8,O'Dubh) At my daughter's Episcopal Church this weekend they are going
to have a shamnistic dancer!<G>
(2-20,O'Ba'n) O'd, it's ok but fenian men is better
(2-2,Rilla) OB> voice??? I've never HEARD it...so I wouldnt know <G>
(2-8,O'Dubh) O'B>Methinks I like the Men of the West better.
(2-2,Rilla) OD> really?
(2-20,O'Ba'n) <singing> "the lark in the morning she whistles and she sings
and she flys across the meadow with the dew all on her wings"
(2-2,Rilla) cool!
(2-2,Rilla) <smile> very nice!
(2-2,Rilla) Now where's the TAPE?
(2-2,Rilla) or WAV file?
(2-2,Rilla) hehehe
(2-8,O'Dubh) Yep Rilla>She's gonna be raising a Christian Power Cone I guess!<G>
(2-20,O'Ba'n) I have a tape, marty Burke, must make a copy & send it to you O'd
(2-2,Rilla) OD> Power is Power <G>
(2-2,Rilla) I learned all I know in High Mass <G>
(2-4,Shadow Hawk) Hmmm, OD, that's MUCH too phallic a symbol for christians
to raise!
(2-4,Shadow Hawk) How high were you in mass, rilla?
(2-20,O'Ba'n) Bonewits has a lot on that, rituals VERY similar
(2-8,O'Dubh) I must be there to make sure they don't fry themselves!<G>
(2-2,Rilla) SH> heheheh
(2-4,Shadow Hawk) (snicker)
(2-2,Rilla) o/~ memories o/~
(2-2,Rilla) OD> make em ground!
(2-8,O'Dubh) "O the risin o the Moon
the risin o the Moon
Many a pike was a flashin"
(2-2,Rilla) what are we doing for Beltaine?
(2-8,O'Dubh) "by the Risin o the Moon!"
(2-26,Adam) y'all, I got to leave the room now...
(2-4,Shadow Hawk) Rilla, we be raisin a cone of power (g)
(2-2,Rilla) SH> did Sz tell you that I am definitely coming to Fla?
(2-26,Adam) I am talking with a very dear friend...
(2-8,O'Dubh) I'm heading to OATh for Beltaine if they'll have me.
(2-2,Rilla) SH> a raisin?
(2-2,Rilla) <G>
(2-2,Rilla) oh!
(2-4,Shadow Hawk) Bye Adam!
(2-2,Rilla) lucky you!
(2-26,Adam) thanks again :) MP
(2-4,Shadow Hawk) No she didn't Rilla
(2-8,O'Dubh) Sla'n Adam!! Next week and check library 16 out!
(2-26,Adam) I have been, OD :)
(2-2,Rilla) SH> thought we could all stay at the Hyatt..under the waterfall!
(2-2,Rilla) <G>
(2-8,O'Dubh) Great!!
(2-2,Rilla) night Adam!
(2-8,O'Dubh) Beannacht leat!
(2-2,Rilla) nice to see you again!
(2-4,Shadow Hawk) Rilla, if you want, I can stay down all night....
(2-4,Shadow Hawk) I have my own scuba equipment (g)
(2-2,Rilla) hahahahahahah....an extra set??
(2-8,O'Dubh) OB>BTW what was that first thing in that post you sent me?
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(2-4,Shadow Hawk) I would bring an octopus for you.
(2-2,Rilla) time for me to go too folks...
(2-8,O'Dubh) Sounded like "Quiet child"
(2-2,Rilla) Odie> thanks!!!
(2-2,Rilla) this was wonderful!
(2-4,Shadow Hawk) Nite Rilla
(2-8,O'Dubh) or listen up kiddies!
(2-8,O'Dubh) Rilla no prob. A labor of love!<G>
(2-2,Rilla) <G>
(2-2,Rilla) it shows
(2-8,O'Dubh) Hugs!
(2-20,O'Ba'n) "Come and tell me sean o'ferrel, tell me why you hurry so..."
got me goin o'd, "is there a bathroom on this floor"
(2-8,O'Dubh) no not that one
(2-20,O'Ba'n) (had to go change a diaper, yuck)
(2-8,O'Dubh) the one where the arch Druid said
(2-20,O'Ba'n) oh! hang on ...
(2-8,O'Dubh) The reply was "He is the Father".
(2-8,O'Dubh) "Hush me Buch all hush and listen and
his cheeks were all a glow!"
(2-20,O'Ba'n) Can't find it right now, was supposed to say "hush children"
and "yes father"
(2-8,O'Dubh) "I bear orders from the captain, get you ready quick and soon,
for the pikes must be together"
(2-20,O'Ba'n) "I bear orders for the captain get ye ready wuicka nd soon...
(2-8,O'Dubh) "by the Risin o the Moon!"
(2-20,O'Ba'n) wuicka? a new religion? <G>
(2-4,Shadow Hawk) Wuicka-Wombat wicca (g)
(2-8,O'Dubh) OB>Great I thought it said "Quiet child and He is the Father!"<G>
(2-20,O'Ba'n) O'd >LOL!< do you know the wearin' of the green? same tune.
(2-8,O'Dubh) Yes!! "They're hangin men and women for the Wearin o the Green!"
(2-20,O'Ba'n) a gaeilge/bearla dictionary is a dangerous thing. <G>
(2-8,O'Dubh) hahahahaha!
(2-20,O'Ba'n) BTW how do you say Andrew jacob in gaelic?
(2-20,O'Ba'n) my eldest <G>
(2-8,O'Dubh) <=====not a clue.
(2-8,O'Dubh) I'll ask in FLEFO!
(2-20,O'Ba'n) nuts.
(2-20,O'Ba'n) my middle is Michilene Og <G> (sp?)
(2-20,O'Ba'n) flefo?
(2-20,O'Ba'n) son that is
(2-8,O'Dubh) BTW
Conor mac Nessa from the Tain was Called Conor son of Nessa
but Nessa was his Mother!<G>
(2-20,O'Ba'n) Really!
(2-8,O'Dubh) yeppers!<g>
(2-20,O'Ba'n) were they matrilineal?
(2-20,O'Ba'n) :0
(2-8,O'Dubh) They were bilineal!<G>
(2-8,O'Dubh) Mostly the fathers side though!
(2-20,O'Ba'n) LOL!
(2-8,O'Dubh) However they did marry the Picts
and made them agree to trace lineage on the Mother's side!<G>
(2-20,O'Ba'n) I heard somewhere they were matrilineal, since they were
quite open sexualy
(2-20,O'Ba'n) <G>
(2-8,O'Dubh) The women had a lot of different partners.
and the men went both ways
if you can believe a lyin Roman that is!<G>
(2-20,O'Ba'n) yup, so how do you know WHO your father is? <VBG>
(2-8,O'Dubh) Simple!! Yer da's the one that wins the fights!<G>
(2-20,O'Ba'n) the Romans were...uh... a little...ethnocentric? <G> >LOL!
(2-20,O'Ba'n) have you got any music by planxty, or dedanan?
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(2-8,O'Dubh) OB.No I wish I did though.
(2-20,O'Ba'n) Great stuff, traditional.
(2-20,O'Ba'n) or Shanachie records, mail order, HoHokus (?) NJ
(2-20,O'Ba'n) they have an excellent Celtic catalog
(2-8,O'Dubh) that's Hoboken and it's close to me now!
(2-20,O'Ba'n) if you can't find them find a Ladysmith Black Mombasa record and ck
the pub, that's them
(2-8,O'Dubh) ok bro thanks!<G>
(2-20,O'Ba'n) those are the guys that backed up paul simon on graceland
(At this point we all retired to the VB&G for some shots o Uisce Beatha!<g>)

Celtic Worshop #5 - The Celtic Otherworld

This is the transcript of the fifth Celtic Workshop - The Celtic Otherworld. We
engaged in a brief period of socialization before and after the conference. I
include that here to give an idea of the spirit and atmosphere with which everyone
approaches the task at hand!<G>
......Searles

(2-2,Freepowder) Dia duit aNhan!

(2-2,Freepowder) Dia duit aShearles!
(2-5,Nan) huh? <g>
(2-2,Freepowder) hello, in Ir. Gaelic
(2-5,Nan) ahhhh, thanks
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Dia Dhuir, a Shean!
(2-5,Nan) hi O'D
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Hiya Nan!!
(2-5,Nan) i'm probably gonna be a pretty quiet participant tonight, 'cause
i'm watching the oscars at the same time <g>
(2-2,Freepowder) SEE! I am psychic!
(2-2,Freepowder) oh, did you get my translation <G>
(2-2,Freepowder) 'sok Nan, I'll fill in for you <G>
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Close but no cigars!:)
(2-3,Wren) Hi, guys. Who's singing?
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Hi Wren!!
(2-2,Freepowder) i figgered that <G>
(2-5,Nan) hi wren
(2-2,Freepowder) Dia duit aWhren!
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) FP will have to do the singin tonight.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) I am the Seanchai tonight!<G>
(2-2,Freepowder) "I left my haaaaaaart in knockaknorra"
(2-3,Wren) Ah, you're being serious.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) "Three things about the drink. "
(2-3,Wren) FP> Looovely
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) "To have it. To Hold it, and to p[ay for it!"<G>
(2-2,Freepowder) hahahah!
(2-2,Freepowder) My wee phrase book is not up to the task, I guess. <G>
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Good evening SUZAN!<G>\
(2-3,Wren) Alas, ald
(2-2,Freepowder) Dia duit aShuzan!
(2-14,SUZAN) hello all... OD!
(2-3,Wren) Alas, alad, that is
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) FP>Some of these sayings can't be literally translated.
(2-2,Freepowder) alad? thought that was alack?
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Tonight we talk Cosmology!<G>
(2-5,Nan) hi susan
(2-2,Freepowder) too right, uh....what do you call those?
(2-3,Wren) If you're going to have a lass, you should have a lad
(2-2,Freepowder) LOL! W
(2-2,Freepowder) is cosmo here?
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Yes!!! We have the Irish and Welsh Cosmos! Tonight only!<G>
(2-2,Freepowder) LOL!
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(2-6,O'Dubhain ) For the sake of $$$$ Shall we begin?
(2-2,Freepowder) ok
(2-3,Wren) <polite applause>
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) "Celtic Workshop #5 - The Otherworld"
Before I begin let me say a few words about how the Workshop is conducted. We will
first hear from a presenter, tonight that is me. If you have a question type in a ?
and I will acknowledge you by typing "ga" at and appropriate time. When you have
finished your question type "ga" to let me know that I may respond. When we are
finished I will acknowledge the next questioner in a similar manner. If you have a
comment or additional information to provide on a topic, please use the "!" to
signal me. I will also cycle through those with comments. If their are no questions
at this point I will begin tonight's presentation.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) I would also like to apologize for not producing
the list of tree correspondences this week that I promised to provide. Being on the
road and away from home, I was not able to get to all my references about trees,
herbs and the like. I haven't forgotten the promise however. I will post the list as
soon as I return to Virginia this weekend. This list can be used together with
certain meditation practices to determine the "soul tones" of the Tree Oghams. I did
locate the Ogham/musical tone table of correspondences that I had mentioned in the
Celtic Workshop #4. This table is by the Celtic scholar Dr. Sean O'Boyle:
For the Treble Cleff (in descending order of tone):
Ogham Old Irish English Musical Note
____________________________________________________
B Beith Birch E
L Luis Rowan D
F Fearn Alder C
S Saille Willow B
N Nuin Ash A
H Huathe Hawthorn G
D Duir Oak F
T Tinne Holly E
C Coll Hazel D
Q Quert Apple. C#
For the Bass Cleff (in descending order of tone):
____________________________________________________
M Muin Vine B
G Gort Ivy A
Ng Ngetal Reed G#
St Straif Blackthorn F#
R Ruis Elder F
A Ailim Silver Fir E
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O Ohn Furze C
U Ur Heather B
E Eadha White Poplar A
I Ioho Yew G
____________________________________________________
(No corresponences were given for these Oghams).
Ch,Ea Koad Grove -
Th Oir Spindle -
Ui Uilleand Honeysuckle -
Ph Phagos Beech -
Xi Mor The Sea -
In addition to the above correspondences, The following
properties of our beings were associated with tone combinations:
The Body - Single tones
The Mind - Two tone intervals
The Spirit - Three tones at the same time (chords)
For more information on this subject, I recommend reading "The 21
Lessons of Merlin" by Douglas Adams (Llewellyn) or the Original work by O'Boyle:
"Ogham: The Poet's Secret" (1980, Gilbert & Dalton Ltd., Dublin).
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) The beliefs of the Celts and their Magickal/Religious practices
cannot be fully understood without becoming more familiar with their Cosmologies and
Deities. In considering how to proceed with the Workshop, a variety of topics came
to mind:
The Otherworld
The Gods and Goddesses
The Objects of Power
The Guardians of the Circle
The "Place Names"
The "Totem Animals"
The Transmigration of the Soul
The "In Between Times and Places"
The "Need Fires" or Days of Imbalance.
The Portals, Dolmens, Stone Circles, Passage
Graves
The Rite of Three Rays
The use of Herbs and Potions
The Gift of Awen
The Act of "Becomming"
The Charm of "Summoning"
"Walking between the Worlds"
"Journeys on the Wheel"
The "Outer Darkness"
The "Dragon's Eye"
The "Many Speckled Rainment"
The Charm of "Making"

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(2-6,O'Dubhain ) The Subject of tonight's Celtic Workshop is The Celtic Otherworld.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) The topics I plan to cover tonight are:
The Otherworld
The Gods and Goddesses
The Objects of Power
The Guardians of the Circle

(2-6,O'Dubhain ) "The Celtic Cosmology"

The number three was sacred to the Celts and the Druids. It should come as no
surprise that the Celtic Cosmos is threefold: The Sky World, The Earth World and the
Underworld. Each of these realms is associated with
particular deities and Magickal acts or techniques.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) The Sky World was associated with the heavenly bodies: the Sun, the
Moon, the stars. This is the realm of the Gods and Goddesses and is associated with
the cycles and patterns of the Sky (and perhaps also associated with The Megalithic
Stone Circles). These visible objects were used as a basis for performing Higher
Magicks such as: Prophecy and Astral travel. The cycles of the Sun and Moon also
were used to determine the appropriate times for doing particular types of Magick.
Festivals were held during Full Moons, Dark Moons, the 6th nite of the New Moon,
Sunrise, Sunset and the 4 days of the Solar extremes; Mid Winter, Mid Summer and the
Equinoxes. The heavenly bodies were not themselves considered to be Deities, but
were thought to reflect or contain the types of Power associated with particular
entities. The Fires of the Sun were associated with the forge and with inspiration,
possibly making Brigid (An aspect of the Irish Celtic Triple Goddess) also a Sun
Goddess. Bel or Belenus was usually associated with the powers of the Sun as well.

(2-6,O'Dubhain ) The Underworld is the realm of the Ancestors, as well as former

humans and a number of Gods and Goddesses associated with the mystery of life
springing forth from death. This process could be as simple and mysterious as the
life cycle of a seed. From old life, new life appears in a series of changes from
planting and germination to growth and harvesting. The passage graves and burial
customs of the Celts also reflect this expectation of rebirth and afterlife. Many
tombs and burial sites show that Celts were buried with objects that they could take
with them into the Underworld to be used in battle, in hunting and/or for
nourishment. This practice appears to be similar to what was practiced by many
ancient peoples, including the Egyptians. Celts did not fear death, they expected to
live on and eventually be reborn in another life. The Underworld and the Sky world
were linked in this Mystery, sharing many of the same Gods and Goddesses. The daily
rebirth of the Sun and the phases of the Moon are a good instance of this link
between the World above and the one below.

(2-6,O'Dubhain ) The Earth World, occupied by we the living, also contains

reflections and influences of the Sky World and the Underworld. These influences can
be pictured as three zones (remember three is a sacred number): the upper zone is
associated with the weather, the flight of birds, sky augeries and the elements and
powers of Air, the middle zone is further divided into the Four Directions or
Quarters (each with it's own Powers/Guardians of the Sacred Land), and the lower
zone containing the depths of the sea, caves, cairns, burial mounds, "hollow hills"
and sacred springs. This zone is the home of the Sidhe
and the spirits associated with the Portals to the Underworld itself. The Celts in
their life upon the Sacred Land expected to experience the influences of the Sky and
Underworld in their life upon the Land. This attitude is demonstrated in the many
dindsenchahs (stories of place names) that are told in Ireland to this day. Many of
these stories are associated with a deity, an elemental, an Underworld portal or a
combat of the God/desses and/or Epic heroes and heroines.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) The following is a listing of the major Irish Gods and
Goddesses:
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Danu, Dagdha, Nuada, Lugh, Angus Og, Len,
Midir, Lir, Manannan, Ogma, Anu, Brigid,
Morrighan, Aine, Sinend, Macha, Diancecht,
Gobnui, Medb, Scatach, the Cailleach.

(2-6,O'Dubhain ) The following is a listing of the major Welsh Gods and

Goddesses:
The House of Don

Manogan, Beli, Don, Math, Mathonwy,

Gwydion, Arianrhod, Llew, Dylan, Nwyvre,
Amaethon, Govannan(the smith), Nudd, Gwynn,
Penardun, Nynniaw.

The House of Llyr

Iweriadd, Llyr, Penardun, Euroswydd,

Bran, Branwen, Matholwch, Gwern, Mananwyddan,
Rhiannon, Nissyen, Evinissyen,
Pwyll, Pryderi, Kicva

(2-6,O'Dubhain ) These two groups seem to relate to one another but sometimes the
correspondences can get very confusing. I include the deities that most closely
resonate with my own Inner Being when working with the Sky World and the Underworld.
My pantheon of Gods and Goddesses is both Welsh and Irish (as am I <G>). I include a
more detailed description of them here:

(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Danu
The Red Mother of All,
Major Mother Goddess of Ireland,
Mother of the Gods and Patroness of
wizards, rivers, water, wells, prosperity
and plenty, Magick and wisdom.

Dagdha
The All Father,
Eochaid Ollathair ( Father of All),
Ruadh Rofessa (The Red One, Lord of
Occult Knowledge),
Dagdha (the Good God)
Many talented and powerful,
Master of the harp and possessor
of a dread double ended club.
The Chief of the Tuatha de Dannan.

The Goddess of Sovereignty (Banbha, Fodla, Eriu)

The Land and the King were wed through
many ceremonies. Essentually the fate of the
King and the fate of the land were One and
vice versa. The Favor of the Goddess could
be granted by some heroic act or bu being
Magickally chosen (The Lia Fail could do
this, more later). Women who held the
Sovereignty of the land were often referred
to as the Goddess (Such as Medb, Boudicca
and Macha-Red Mane).
Nuada
The King and battle leader
of the Tuatha de Dannan,
Possessor of the Magick Sword of Findias,
Lost his sword hand in the First Battle of
Moytura, against the Fir Bolgs,
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stepped down from the Kingship
(because the King could nave no blemish)
even though he was outfitted with a
Magickal hand of silver. He eventually
had his hand Magickally restored to lead
the Tuatha de Dannans against the Fomors
in the second Battle of Moy Tura. In this
battle he was physically killed so he
returned the Lands of the Sidhe.
Brigid
Breo saighead (Fiery Arrow or Power)
Often called the Triple Brigid or the
Triple Mother. Also Associated with
Danu at times. The daughter of the Dagdha.
Goddess of the Sacred Flame of Kildare.
Goddess of poets, feminine crafts, the
hearth, martial arts, healing and
inspiration. The White Maiden aspect of
the Triple Goddess. Her Feast is the
Major Celtic Festival of Imbolc. She
who gives hope and new beginnings. The
Celtic Church could not replace her, so
they absorbed her as the "foster-mother"
of Christ and as St. Brigit, the daughter
of the Druid Dougal the Brown. Brigid is
very like the Greek Goddess Athena.
Lugh
Sam ildanach (many skilled). This is the
Celtic Mercury. The grandson of Balor
(leader of the Fomorians and the son of
Cian and Ethniu, a Sidhe princess. His
feast is Lughnasadh, a celebration of
the death of his "foster mother", Tailtiu.
He is the combination of the Tuatha de
Dannans and the Fomors. He replaces Nuada
as the King and battle leader of the Tuatha
de Dannan and leads them to ultimate victory
in the second Battle of Moytura. He is
sometimes called the "Shining One" and/or
Lugh Lamhfada (of the "long arm").
He also has attributes of a carpenter, mason,
poet,Druid, physician and a goldsmith. He
can be considered the Irish God of just about
everything. He was also the father of the
great Irish hero, Cuchulain.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) I see only the diehards are still with me!<G> (many more Deities to
come folks)!<G>
(2-2,Freepowder) wimps. leaving early!
(2-5,Nan) :)
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) hahahaha!
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Videotapers!
(2-5,Nan) <---multitasking (watching & reading & reading)
(2-2,Freepowder) LOL!
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) More to come!..... <G>
Mannan mac Lyr
Chief Irish God of the sea. Not a member
of the Tuatha de Dannan. A happy-go-lucky
gypsy type. Always carried "the Crane Bag",
` a kind of Magick "horn of plenty". He gave
the last 5 Oghams to the Druids (also called
the "Crane Bag"). He preferred to roam among
the people in disguise and aid their exploits.He
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could change his shape at will. Despite his
antics, he was an extremely powerful God
and was usually associated with fertility,
rebirth, weather, sailing and Magick. He also
had a Magickal ship that moved without sails
and was directed by the mind. Linked to the
Isle of Man.
Gwynn ap Nudd
The Master of the Wild Hunt, The Welsh Guardian
of the Dark Portals of the Underworld. He rode
the Night in a flowing grey cloak upon a pale
horse following his Hounds called Cwn Annwn.
(very large, white with red tipped ears). They
would seek out and collect souls.
Arianrhod
"of the Silver Wheel", A star goddess of Wales,
Her palace was called Caer Arianrhod (Aurora
Borealis), Goddess of time and karma. Mother
aspect of the Triple Goddess in Wales. Goddess
of beauty, the Moon, fertility and reincarna
tion. Also associated with the sea.
Cerridwen
Welsh Goddess of Nature, associated with the
Sacred Cauldron of Wisdom that allowed Taliesin
to become enlightened. When she discovered that
Gwion had tasted of her cauldron, she chased him
through a variety of mutaual shape changes until
at last she caught and consummed him as a grain
of wheat. This caused her to give birth to
Taliesin.
Cernunnos
Known to all Celts as the "Horned God ". God of
nature, virility, fertility, animals, sex,
reincarnation and shamanism. Known to the Druids
as Hu Gadarn. God of the Underworld and Astral
Planes. The Consort of the Great Goddess.
Amergin/Taliesin
The two greatest Celtic Bards that ever lived.
Amergin was the Chief Bard of the Mileseans and
aided them in overcoming the Magicks of the
Tuatha de Dannans to become the heirs to the
land ofIreland. Taliesin was the great Bard of the Welsh,
whose poetry and songs, Including the Cad Goddieu, tell us
most of what we know about Druidry in Wales. He gained his
knowledge from the Cauldron of Cerridwen. They are both
patrons of Bards, music, Magick and poetry.
Morrighan
The Dark aspect of the Celtic Triple Goddess.
The "Washer at the Ford" (seem washing bloody
laundry prior to battle by those destined to
die). The Battle Goddess, also Queen of the
Witches and Goddess of Magick. Could appear as a Raven, a
beautiful Maiden or an ugly Hag. Marries the Dagdha at
Samhain. The Goddess of Death.
Ogma
The "Sun Faced" One, so called because he was a
God of Wisdom and of speech. He invented the
Oghams and was also a great Warrior. Sometimes
associated with the Greek Herakles. Also Irish God of music,
spells, the arts and eloquence.
Scathach
"She Who Strikes Fear". The Irish/Scottish
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Goddess of martial arts. The Destroyer aspect of
the Dark Goddess. A great sword warrior and instructor.
Native to the Isle of Skye. Teacher of Cuchulain. Patroness
of martial arts, prophecy, blacksmiths and magic.

2-6,O'Dubhain ) "The Objects of Power"

The Tuatha de Dannans are the Children of the Mother Goddess Danu. They are the Gods
and Goddesses of Ireland. Some say they come from the sky, others say the North.
They were masters of Occult knowledge learned in the four great Magickal cities of
Findias, Gorias, Murias and Falias. They were given a great treasure by the Chief
Mages of each city (Uiscias from Findias, Esras from Gorias, Semias from Murias and
Morfessa from Falias). These gifts are the four treasures of Ireland: The Sword of
Nuada, the Spear of Lugh, the Cauldron of Rebirth and the Stone of Fal. We can use
the Power of such gifts in our own Magick by invoking the four Masters of the North.
Once invoked, the Power of their gifts can once again be manifested in our very own
Magickal Talismans.

2-6,O'Dubhain ) "The Sword Of Nuada Argetla'm"

The first object of Power comes from Findias. It is the invincible sword of Nuada
"of the silver hand". It represents the forces of insight and illumination. It is
a representation of the terrible Powers of creative energy. The drawing of such a
sword is what gives us new and terrible abilities (Atomic Power is an example of
what such inspiration can create). The wisdom to not use or to maintain control such
powers is what the use of this Sword is all about. Many times the wisest course of
action is to keep the Sword sheathed and to resolve our conflicts peacefully.
Here is a description of this Magickal weapon's use in a modern day ritual:
<I walk to the altar and pick up the Sword. Advancing to the East,
I raise the Sword and say:> "Here is the Sword of Nuada Argetla'm in its deady
scabbard.
Heed the Magicks of Findias!
Uiscias wrought this blade!
He of the Silver Hand lives again!
Who will dare to grasp it and define
the boundaries of our safety?"
<After the sword has been accepted by a member of the Circle,
the following is said while walking three times (deosil) around the
perimeter of the Circle :>

"Come forth Old One of the East!!!"

<After the completion of the three circles, I light the Red Candle of Life
that sits upon the Eastern Quarter and say:>

"Guard us well so that our lives may be our own.

Dia is Bandia linn!
(So Mote It Be!)"

2-6,O'Dubhain ) "The Spear of Lugh Lamhfadha"

The second object of Power comes from Findias. It is the iresistible Spear of Lugh
"of the Long Arm". This gift represents the ability to act across a distance. It
is represented by the Powers of fire that can also act across a distance, leaping
between burning buildings yet also warming us from within the hearth fires. This
flaming spear always finds its target once thrown. It is no surprise that Lugh must
defeat Balor "of the Evil Eye" allowing the Tuatha de Dannans to conquer the Fomor.
Today the ability to act across a distance might be better characterised by the
telephone/communications networks. The free exchange of information has fanned the
flames of creativity in the modern world.
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2-6,O'Dubhain ) Here is a description of this Magickal weapon's use in
the same modern day ritual as before:
<I walk to the altar and pick up the Spear.
Advancing to the South, I raise the Spear and say:>

"In my Right hand I hold the Spear of Lugh Lamhfadha.

Brought from Gorias and given by Esras.
It contains the Wisdom of Many acting across the Ways.
No batle can be sustained against us while we possess it.
Who will wield this Power?"
2-6,O'Dubhain ) <After the spear has been accepted by a member of the Circle, the
following is said while walking three times (deosil) around the perimeter of the
Circle :>
"Come forth Old One of the South!!!"
<After the completion of the three circles, I light the White Candle of Inspiration
that is in the South and say:>
"Guard us well so that our ideas may burn
as does Thy eternal flame.
Dia is Bandia linn!
(So Mote It Be!)"
2-6,O'Dubhain ) "The Cauldron of Rebirth"
The third object of Power comes from Murias. It is the "Cauldron of Rebirth". This
gift has the Power to regenerate life and is usually associated with the Dagdha or
Bran the Blessed. It can also be linked with portals to the Otherworld through which
all life passes during the death/life cycle. Mannanan mac Llyr who rules the sea
and who is the possessor of the "Crane Bag" (another symbol for the Cauldron) is
another deity associated with this Magickal device. The Welsh Goddess Cerridwen is
also a keeper of the Sacred Cauldron.The Spring of Life and wisdom flows forth from
the depths of the sea (another use for this cauldron).
2-6,O'Dubhain ) Here is a description of this Magickal device's use in our modern
day rituals:
<I walk to the altar and pick up the Cauldron. I place it
upon the West Quarter and say:>
"This is the Cauldron of Rebirth,
by it's waters we are reborn.
Fashioned in the fires of Murias,
Forged by the will of Samias.
Life eternal is its gift.
We pass through Death with each use.
May the waters of rebirth ever flow forth!
Who will call us back
from the deepest meditation?
Who will summon us from the Shadows
of the Sea?"
<The Cauldron has sea salted water poured into it by a
member of the Circle, This water is sprinkled three times (deosil) around the
perimeter of the Circle while the following is said:>
"Make thy Presence known Old One of the West!"
<After the completion of the three circles, I light the Gray Candle of Twilight that
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stands in the West and say:>
"Keep our Spirits safe within Your soft embrace.
Dia is Bandia linn!
So Mote It Be!"
2-6,O'Dubhain ) "The Lia Fail"
This is the Kingship stone of Ireland. It was brought from the Northern city of Fal
by the Tuatha de Dannan. This stone represents the Land and it's Sovereignty. It
also represents the Power of the Earth to Judge all men. The other portals to the
Underworld (caves and raths) are represented by this Magickal object. The dark
reaches of the Underworld hide the secret knowledge of Death and Life. It is into
the earth that Celts are buried to begin their journeys after death. Small wonder it
is that the Goddess guarding this object should be the dread Morrighan. She
represents the Wisdom that is gained via the Dark Pathways, yet she is also the
bringer of victory in battle as well as new life, where none was expected. She
represents the stark reality of Life and Death.
2-6,O'Dubhain ) Here is a description of this Magickal device's use in our modern
day rituals:
<I walk to the altar and pick up the Stone. I place it in front of the North
Quarter candle and say:>

"This is the Lia Fail, let all here be sobered by its True Judgement.
This is the Stone of Judgement, Solemn sacred One of Falias, grant our space your
Sovereignty. Morfesa has worked the Earth's Power within you. Judge of Kings,
Center of Earth, Speak and we shall listen! Do not let us fail to heed your
warnings!"
<I turn to face the members of the Circle and ask:>
"Who will Stand with the Stone of Destiny?"
<The One that has accepted the challenge, steps upon the stone and crys forth:>
"Manifest your Power Old One of the North!"
"Open Your Dark Pathways
Give us True Judgement!
Bring forth Thy Hidden Knowledge!"
<I step back to the altar and face to the North. I light the Black Candle of
Darkness and say to all those who are gathered:>
"May our souls know the Truth of Eternity.
Dia is Bandia linn!
So Mote it Be!"
<Starting at the East with arms open, I turn deosil around the Circle, stopping when
I have come back to the East and say:>

"My Brothers and Sisters in the One Power, Hear my Words! Our Circle is
complete! We have Perfectly Created a Sacred Space, a Place out of Time. Let none
seek to enter who would violate our Purpose. Our will shall be done and none shall
be harmed! May the Guardians of the Four Quarters keep Their Watch over this Circle
and lend us Their Mighty Aid!"

2-6,O'Dubhain ) That pretty much sums up the prepared presentation, any questions?

(2-5,Nan) Whew!
(2-5,Nan) I'm still absorbing
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(2-2,Freepowder) bet your fingers are cramped <G>
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) yep! Well there is a lot more I could say!<G>
(2-2,Freepowder) ok!
(2-2,Freepowder) <hehehehe>
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Like We could talk about just where those cities were?
The Sky or the North?
UFO's maybe?
(2-2,Freepowder) ok, first tho, was the stone of fal...
(2-2,Freepowder) the same as the stone of scone?
(2-2,Freepowder) ga
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) That was what the Scots and the Sassanach would have us believe.
(2-2,Freepowder) you say?
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) But the Irish tradition is that it is still inside of Tara.
(2-2,Freepowder) thought so. hrumph.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Why would we every give away one of the treasures of the Land?
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Besides!<G>
(2-2,Freepowder) stolen?
(2-5,Nan) what's the stone of scone? (other than a very old tea snack <g>)
(2-2,Freepowder) LOL
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) If it really was stolen then it sits in Westminister Abbey! And
hasn't cried out in over 400 years!<G>
(2-2,Freepowder) nahm, it's still in Tara, yup!
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Meaning.....that the Sassanach are not the rightful kings of
Ireland!!!!<GGGG>
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) The stone of Scone was the kingship stone of the Scots
(2-5,Nan) ahh, now i remember
(2-2,Freepowder) N> Scotland had a similar legend to that of the stone
of Fal, it was taken to westminister abbey when the
english took scotland
(2-2,Freepowder) And they niver give it back!
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Fp>That's right....thieving Sassanch!<G>
(2-2,Freepowder) rude!
(2-5,Nan) lol
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) <======Just finished "Trinity" and in a very
unforgiving mood.
(2-2,Freepowder) the 4 cities, which world were they in?
(2-2,Freepowder) LOL!
(2-2,Freepowder) grand book! read it a few years ago.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Yes it sure makes one think that they'll never resolve
the Problem of Northern Ireland.
(2-2,Freepowder) I met a fellow, prob IRA, said...
(2-2,Freepowder) the brits need to just pull out...
(2-2,Freepowder) I said ther'd be a blood bath....
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Fp>The Four Cities were in the North but in the
Spirtual Plane.
(2-2,Freepowder) he said for a few years then it would come right.
(2-2,Freepowder) sky or earth or underworld?
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Fp>Sky types always associated with the Spirit and Big
Magick. But of course two of the gifts were associated
with the Underworld. The Stone and the Cauldron.
(2-2,Freepowder) sounds like a commercial, 'Big,Big Magick!' <G>
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Goes back to that dual nature of the Deities again. John Matthews
has a great picture in his book, "Celtic Shamanism" of a World Tree that has roots
in the Underworld and branches into the Sky World. The two are connected by a
Rainbow of colors , stars and
Totem animals!
(2-2,Freepowder) you have more books than I have money <G>
>sounds like Yggdrisll
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) The Rainbow "brige" exists outside of the Physical World entirely.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Yes it does sound like Yggdrisll! I have a GIF of this Cosmology
at home and will upload it to Library 16 this weekend.
(2-2,Freepowder) now, where have I heard of the rainbow bridge....Jesse
Jackson? <G>
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(2-5,Nan) well, i should be on my way.....thanks for another great workshop
O'D. Looking forward to more :)
(2-2,Freepowder) cool!
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Yes folks Jesse JAckson is the new Celtic Rainbow God!<G>
(2-2,Freepowder) Rofl!
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Thanks for coming Nan!<G>
(2-5,Nan) see ya next week.....bye (poof)
(2-2,Freepowder) bye nan!
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Hey Fp>What do you think we should cover next time?
(2-2,Freepowder) I was heart broken, couldn't come up w/ ?s from last wk <G>
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Think folks are just hanging back and uploading the
transcripts?
(2-2,Freepowder) the rest of the stuff at the top of this.<G>
(2-2,Freepowder) yeah, it might help if the right rom was listed in notices
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Oscar night is a tough night to compete with the Tube!:( I did
mention that to the Sysops, but I guess they have their hands full.
(2-2,Freepowder) as long as they are reading..'sok
(2-2,Freepowder) hey! I volunteered to get into sysopery <G>
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) <======would like to get some additional opinions
on some of this stuff.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) FP>You did? Great!
What was the response?
This workshop is closed! BTW!<G>
(2-2,Freepowder) well, maybe if you are in the right place at the right time bla
bla...
(2-2,Freepowder) I figured that out
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) LOL!
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) <======just wanted it in the transcript!<G>
<We next engaged in some generalized Celtic discussion that I thought would be of
interest to the offline class readers!<G> ...>
<Our discussion was joined by DRUID at this point>
(2-13,DRUID) I'm a member of OBOD in southern England.
(2-2,Freepowder) OBOD?
(2-22,Grey Wolf) Gotta go, I've got School in the mornin, Be sure to write though
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) GW>Bye!
(2-8,Pietra) bye GW
(2-2,Freepowder) Slan leat Gdub!
(2-13,DRUID) Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids.
(2-22,Grey Wolf) later
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Great Nice to have you here.
(2-2,Freepowder) Ah! heard of them! stop in next wk!
(2-13,DRUID) I am working on my Ovate Initiation at this time.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) DRUID>Do you recommend any books?
(2-2,Freepowder) we're gopnna re-create balor's eye! <G>
(2-13,DRUID) I am also a member of the F.O.I. located in south eastern Ireland.
(2-2,Freepowder) FOI? sorry <G>
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) FP>yeah !!! Chunk another hot spear into that Fomorian
peeper!<G>
(2-13,DRUID) Fellowship of Isis. Olivia Robertson
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Dia dhuit, a DhRUID!
(2-2,Freepowder) there is one referenct to lugh using a rock I think <G>
(2-13,DRUID) as far as books, i have quite a few, would
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) The FOI sounds Thelemic to me.
(2-13,DRUID) not know what to recomend.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) I read the Book of Druidry by Ross Nichols
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Found it to be based upon the works of Davies and Morganwig.
(2-13,DRUID) I saw that you were giving a workshop on Ogham.
(2-13,DRUID) I have seen some of the origional standing Ogham stones
in northern England.
(2-13,DRUID) They are standing in remote fields, not even marked very well.
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(2-2,Freepowder) Must be nice to live on the ground so to speak ,less the economy,
tho <G>
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) DRUID>It's my belief that the Oghams carved upon sticks
have long since disintergrated.
(2-13,DRUID) They are weather beaten, but you can still make them out.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) BTW They did find some Standing stones in this country
with Oghams upon them!<G>
(2-13,DRUID) Yes i would agree, however these are stone,
tall about 4 feet.
(2-2,Freepowder) OD> really?! where?
(2-13,DRUID) I do not think so.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) <=====looking in reference right now
(2-13,DRUID) On an island in northern England, the name of the island escapes
me,
(2-2,Freepowder) and don't say L.A.!
(2-2,Freepowder) the ones in the US, Druid
(2-13,DRUID) but i could go look it up if you want. I also have pictures of
them.
(2-2,Freepowder) they have some in Ireland yet don't they?
(2-13,DRUID) say it is highly possible.
(2-2,Freepowder) where did the 'key' to the oghams come from, culdeans?
(2-13,DRUID) I have that information, i would need to refresh me memory, but it
was from the old Ogham alphabet, and religion.
(2-2,Freepowder) seems to me I read about some, in the south I think, no, ulster?
(2-13,DRUID) from the old Ogham alphabet, and religion.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Druid>the reference is "America BC" by Professor Barry Fell
(2-13,DRUID) Does it actualy say there are stones in this country.?
(2-2,Freepowder) well, yes but how did the info survive, i.e. what was the 'rosetta
stone' for oghams
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) FP>The key came out of the Book of Ballymote
(2-2,Freepowder) OD, Culdeans? or other?
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) DRUID>I was looking at a reference to a reference.
FP>Culdeans.
(2-13,DRUID) Would you care to have me go and hunt up the info
(2-13,DRUID) on what island it was.?
(2-2,Freepowder) no not online Druid <G>
(2-2,Freepowder) and where are the ones in the US?
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Actual refernce was Celtic Gods Celtic Goddesses
by R. J. Stewart
(2-2,Freepowder) post a msg at your convience <G>
(2-13,DRUID) Ok i will try to join next week with the info at hand.
(2-2,Freepowder) cool!
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) great !!! Go raibh maith agat!
(2-13,DRUID) I spent a month in Ireland & England last year doing
(2-13,DRUID) a systematic search of the old Pagan & Druid Holy sites.
(2-2,Freepowder) WOW!
(2-2,Freepowder) <turning green>
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) DRUID>Pick up any strange sensations or Power?
(2-13,DRUID) Got to join in a Autumn EQ. in the Catacombs of
(2-13,DRUID) Clonigal Castle with Oliva Robertson. It was
(2-13,DRUID) real intense.
(2-13,DRUID) That was where i joined the FOI.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) DRUID> Is the FOI based upon Crowley's work?
What is it based upon?
(2-13,DRUID) Is it too late in the course to join and still benifit.?
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) We are only scartching the surface
We still have a lot of "Works" to cover.
(2-13,DRUID) No it is an open organization, all forms of religion
are welcome.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Like "Making:, and "Dragon's Eye" and The Three Rays
(2-2,Freepowder) BTW, have you seen a little book called 'Irish Earth Folk' by
Diarmuid Mac Manus, Devin Adair Co. 1959?
(2-13,DRUID) Good, is there a listing of dates in the LIB.?
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(2-13,DRUID) I dont recall, however i went thru a lot of used book
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) DRUID>The Workshops have been uploaded into library 16
(2-13,DRUID) stores while i was over there.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) as CLTWS1.TXT TO CLTWS4.TXT
(2-13,DRUID) I will try and join in next week after i download the List.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) CLTWS5.TXT should go in the nextfew days. In it we mention
additional topics of discussion.
(2-2,Freepowder) and the tree list <G>
(2-13,DRUID) Tree list?
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) The list is in CLTWS5.TXT
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Druid>I'm generatiog a tree cross reference between
(2-2,Freepowder) a correspondence between Irish trees and american trees
(2-13,DRUID) I run a Pagan Based BBS called Echo's of Enchantments.
European/American/Eastern/Westen types of trees.
(2-2,Freepowder) where?
(2-13,DRUID) Its been up for about five years.
(2-13,DRUID) Here in southere Cal.
(2-2,Freepowder) Where in SoCal? <G>
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) DRUID>ever yack with the ADF types?
(2-13,DRUID) I also teach Wicca at a shop in LongBeach. O'Dubhain, I was
impressed with your list of credits in the who's who list. Congrat's for all your
effort.
(2-13,DRUID) Boy i need to type better.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) DRUID>Thanks!<VBG>
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) <======Thinks Magickal greats can't type!:)
(2-2,Freepowder) Druid> I'm going to play my whistle for some trees
and see what happens(probably get sucked into Faerey and you'll
never me again)
(2-13,DRUID) Well better go will grab the files and jump out.
(2-2,Freepowder) Boy, I must be *really* magickal!
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) FP>Better ground and center first<g>.
(2-13,DRUID) Thanks for the time. Blessed Be! to all. Bye..
(2-2,Freepowder) still trying to work that out! <G>
(2-2,Freepowder) Slan leat Druid!
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Or at least have a safety line!<G>
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) DRUID>Beannacht leat!
(2-2,Freepowder) now what is that?
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) hey hey hey!
(2-2,Freepowder) a safety line?
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) <======would like to conjure up a room full of DRUIDS!
(2-2,Freepowder) really!
(2-2,Freepowder) wonder where they all are?
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) didn't you say that you were gonna play your whistle
to the trees?
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Fairies like music.
(2-2,Freepowder) I did do a kind of minor healing thing the other night
on myself, worked!
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) and We Celts are a real pushover!<G>
(2-2,Freepowder) cold much better today
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) good
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) <======Hopes you took my advice to heart.
(2-2,Freepowder) yeah, that thought you had a while back really intrigues me.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Which one?
(2-2,Freepowder) yes, got modern magick, celtic magick (conway)
>the one about playing ...
(2-2,Freepowder) music for trees to see what happens.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) I think you'll get a response.
(2-2,Freepowder) have a Modesto ash in the back yard, gotta be kin to
the irish ash, right?
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) right!!
And that's a great Faery tree.
(2-2,Freepowder) BTW how come I don't see mulberry trees anywhere
in those lists?<G>
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(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Faeries love Oak ASh and Thorn trees.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Shhhh!!!
(2-2,Freepowder) that book,Irish earth folk talks about those, and ...
(2-2,Freepowder) puca's
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Secret inner initiate stuff!:)
(2-2,Freepowder) yeah, right! lol
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) ROFL!
pucas!!!
(2-2,Freepowder) will you be doing a full moon rit online the 27th?
(2-2,Freepowder) puca's, mostly dogs
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) <=====Thinks Sasquatch is a Puca!
(2-2,Freepowder) LOL! might could be!
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) We are doing a Spring Equinox thing in Religion on Wed
(2-2,Freepowder) open to the pub?
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Think about it....Pucas and Sasquatch got a lot in common.
(2-2,Freepowder) <fishing for invitation>
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) FP>Sure is... the Cyber Coven HPS was here a while ago
advertising it!<G>
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Please come along with me
(2-2,Freepowder) yeah, but aren't pucas mostly horses and dogs
and 4 legged in general?
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) They can take any animal form.
(2-2,Freepowder) Super!
(2-2,Freepowder) what time?
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) It's at 10 PM EST in CO 8 over in the Religion Forum
On Wed Nite.
(2-2,Freepowder) ok!
<At this point DRUID rejoined us with some additional Information.>
(2-13,DRUID) The island in nothern England was IONA...
(2-2,Freepowder) yeah, but I've read Llewellen, and she's no McAvoy!
(2-13,DRUID) However the largest gathering of stones we saw
(2-2,Freepowder) that was one of the last outposts of the Druids
during the roman times,
(2-13,DRUID) were in fact in Ireland on the island on Valentia, in
(2-13,DRUID) northern ireland.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Did you write down the inscriptions?
(2-2,Freepowder) last retreat during the reign of Caradoc & Bodiciea
(2-13,DRUID) No,... it was hand to read, however i did make some video, and
stills
(2-13,DRUID) could look them over real well, or have them blown up.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) <====remembers the tale "How the Tain was Recovered"
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) <==== two young Druids found the stone over Fergus MacRoy's grave
"summoned" him and listened to his Shade
recite the TAin for 3 days!<G>
(2-13,DRUID) Next week will try and give a discription and directions to the
stones.
(2-2,Freepowder) Slan leat aDhruid!
(2-13,DRUID) Later.
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) Slan!
(2-13,DRUID) bye..
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) I'm gonna bag it too FP!
(2-2,Freepowder) ok, Slan leat! and thanks!
(2-6,O'Dubhain ) TA failte romhat!<G>
"Celtic Workshop #6 - Dindsenchas, Totems and Transmigration"

This is a transcript of the sixth Celtic Workshop - Dindsenchas,Totems and

Transmigration. The purpose of this Workshop was to investigate the Celtic Inner
Spirit by looking at beliefs about the Land, the Family, the Spirit and the Soul.
The stories about name origins as well as the practice of having totemic beasts
seemed to be a good place to start. I also hoped that such investigations would give
added meaning to understanding Druidic concepts of Being.
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Before I begin let me say a few words about how the Workshop is conducted. We will
first hear from a presenter, tonight that is me. If you have a question type in a ?
and I will acknowledge you by typing "ga" at and appropriate time. When you have
finished your question type "ga" to let me know that I may respond. When we
are finished I will acknowledge the next questioner in a similar manner. If you have
a comment or additional information to provide on a topic, please use the "!" to
signal me. I will also cycle through those with comments in a similar manner. If
their are no questions at this point I will begin tonight's
presentation.

(2-21,O'Dubh) The Subject of tonight's Celtic Workshop

is:
Dindsenchas, Totemic Animals and
Transmigration of the Soul.
During the previous Workshop, we studied the Celtic Otherworld and their God/desses.
We saw how Existence was divided into a Higher, Middle and Underworld reality. The
Spirit of the Celt would be tied to and migrate between these various worlds. A celt
was very connected to the land as well as having a strong belief in his "code of
conduct'" and the immortality of his Being. Tonight's Workshop will attempt to
clarify how A Celt arrived at these strong inner concepts of connection to his
family, his Land and his Eternal or Spirit life. In order to understand the Celtic
Spirit, one must know the Dinseanchas, the Totemic Animals and the Druidic concept
of Transmigration of the Soul.

(2-21,O'Dubh) The first topic to be covered will be the Dinseanchas.

Dinseanchas or "Place Name Stories"

The Dinseanchas or "Place Name Stories" are among the earliest tales of Ireland.
This tract gives the etymology of the names of several of the more well known places
of Erinn. The first such "place name" that we will discuss is the origin of the
Names "Meath" and "Uisnech". These two locations are tied into the history of the
Kings of Ireland. Meath is the "fifth" division of Ireland set aside for the Ard
Reis to rule and
Uisnech is the hill that represents the Spiritual center of Ireland.
(2-21,O'Dubh) This is the story of Uisnech:

"After the Tuatha de Dannans had been conquered by the Sons of Milesius (Mileseans),
Midhe the son of Brath, son of Detha, was the first to light a fire in all of Erinn.
This fire burned upon his hilltop for seven years and all the fires of the land were
lighted using this fire. Midhe and his clan were entitled to a sack of corn and a
pig from every house in Erinn each year in return for maintaining this fire.
Naturally the Druids were envious of this fact and they met together to conspire
against Midhe and his clan. Midhe discovered the plot and attacked the Druid
conclave, cutting out the tongues of the Druids so they could not speak against him.
He buried these tongues in the earth and sat upon the spot while his mother
exclaimed that it was "proudly" or "Uaisnech" you sit up there this night! This then
is the derivation of the name of the hill, Uisnech and of the province of Meath
"Midhe". BTW Uisnech is pronounced "ISH nuk".

Uisnech is the site also of the "Well of Life" where twelve major Magickal rivers
flow forth from the Underworld. Could this be the Magick of the Druids tongues?
(2-10,Adam) ?
(2-21,O'Dubh) Yes Adam? ga
(2-8,O'Ba'n) !
(2-8,O'Ba'n) I've never heard this story
(2-21,O'Dubh) Ok O'Ba'n a question?
(2-8,O'Ba'n) GA
(2-21,O'Dubh) This story is from the ancient Irish Writings. You can find
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it in "A Celtic Reader" by John Matthews It's source is from Eugene O'Curry
(2-8,O'Ba'n) GA
(2-21,O'Dubh) ok
(2-21,O'Dubh) Here is a story of the origins of the name "Tara":

"Another significant hill is Tara. This hill had it's name changed five times. It
was first called Druim Descuin or "the Conspicuous Hill", next it was Liath Druim
after a Firbolg chieftain who was first to clear it of woods. The third name for the
hill was Druim Cain "the Beautiful Hill", then Cathar Crofinn, and finally Teamair
(Anglicized Tara) from the name Te'a the wife of Eremon the son of Milesius."

This story gives us a mini history of Ireland, from the original names of the hill
through the names ascribed to various invading tribes until we see the name that it
retains to this day "Tara". BTW this name is pronounced "CHOW irr" in Gaeilge.

(2-21,O'Dubh) Another Dindseanchas is the story of Lughaidh Delbaeth "the

fire-producer", a Dalcasian Druid. "Lugaid had a considerable amount of land, while
the husband of his daughter, Trad, though a king, had little land and a large
family. Trad asked Lugaid for an oracle to find out how he could gain more land.
Lugaid consulted his oracles and announced that if Trad would ask any man on that
day to surrender his lands, that man would be bound to comply. Trad then asked
Lugaid to surrender his lands which he did. Lugaid took his six sons with him across
the Shannon river where he started a fire by means of his Druid
Power. This fire had five streams issuing from it. Each of the eldest five sons
followed these flames to the site of their new lands. Lugaid
remained behind with his youngest son, Nos, and eventually dies and was buried next
to a lake, near to Carn Fiacha (now called Loch Lugh-phorta
or the Lake of Lugaid)."

(2-21,O'Dubh) This story is important for a few reasons:

1. It is an instance of the use of Druid Magick to create
fire.
2. It shows the the use of oracles to determine a course of
action.
3. It demonstrates the sanctity of one's word of honor.
4. It shows the derivation of several place names as well
as the family name of "Devlin" (from Dealbhna, derived from Debaeth).
A story of this sort was used to establish place names, to derive family traditions,
to demonstrate morality, to show the worth of cunning and integrity. It is also a
good example of Druidic Powers. it was from a large wealth and variety of such tales
that our ancestors remembered their past and learned their code of living.
(2-21,O'Dubh) This serves a similar function to the new book by William
Bennett.....can't recall the title. But I think it's on the best seller list right
now....anyone know the book? Something like the Book of......?
(2-21,O'Dubh) O'Ba'n ? ah well continuing onward!<G>
(2-8,O'Ba'n) dunno <G>
(2-4,Nan) the book of o'ban????!!!! <vbg>
(2-21,O'Dubh) I'll find the name and insert it! Nan!!!!LOL!
(2-8,O'Ba'n) great writer ain't I?
(2-10,Adam) <g>
(2-21,O'Dubh) The next topic to be discussed will be the Totemic Animals.
"Celtic Totem Animals"

Celts and Druids held the belief that each person and family had a special
relationship with animals and animal Spirit Beings that were sacred to ech clan.
This belief is what Patricia Kennealy is referring
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to in her book "Strange Days, My Life With Jim Morrison". MS. Kennealy is a member
of an ancient clan of Irish "Wolf Shamans" whose tradition states that they are the
Magickal leaders of their people. This association of Spirit Animals or "Totems" is
based upon the ancient Celtic belief that all life is related, the Land, the waters,
the spirits of a place, the trees, the flora and the animals that they lived with
side by side. Many ancient stories tell how the Druids could "shapeshift" into
animal form to escape or work Magick. To know your Inner Celtic Spirit, you must
know your clan and your personal Spirit Animal.
(2-25,Denise H) I am here at last :)
(2-21,O'Dubh) The following animals appear throughout Celtic tales
and Magick:

The Salmon (Brionnfhionn)

This is the fish of All Wisdom. It lives in the depths of the Sea from which all
life springs. It is said to acquire it's great knowledge from
eating the Nine Hazels of Wisdom that fall from the Tree of Knowledge. This fish was
said to be among the oldest of living creatures. The great
Hero and Druid Fionn mac Cumhail gained his wisdom by touching his thumb to a salmon
that he was cooking for the Druid Fintan.

The Deer or Stag (Abhach, Sailetheach)

The deer was said to be a fairy creature that could pass between the world's. This
was especially true for a white deer. Fionn's wife Sabha became a deer when she went
to the Otherworld. Beautiful women frequently became deer in many tales while
fleeing from hunters. The Druid Tuan mac Carill is the sole survivor of a group of
early Partholanian Irish settlers. He lives at first as a wildman of the woods
eventually becoming a stag, an eagle, a salmon and eventually is reincarnated
as himself at a much later date to give the ancient history of Ireland to the more
recent settlers.

The Horse (Cab-all)

The horse was one of the most important animals to the Celts. A mare is ritually
symbolically mated by the King in the Rite of Sovereignty. White horses are also
mystical beings. It is a pale horse that is ridden by Gwynn ap Nudd the Master of
the Wild Hunt in Wales while gathering souls. A huge horse shape is sculpted into
the hills of Wiltshire called White Horse Hill. This animal is another guide to the
Otherworld.

The Hawk (Seg or Aracos)

The most famous Hawk is the Hawk of Achill that can riddle and discuss with the
Druidic poet Fintan. This animal is also as old as time and
another storehouse of great knowledge.

The Blackbird (Druid-dhubh)

This is yet another animal that can freely pass into the Otherworld. It is
associated with the Druids and the Goddess Rhiannon. This bird has mystical arts and
can sing one into a trancelike state. It can give one access to the Magick of the
Otherworld and is an excellent familiar. This is not the Crow or Raven but a
songbird.

The Hound/the Dog (Abach)

This is an animal of the hunt and is frequently associated with humanlike
intelligence. The hounds of Fionn mac Cumhail, Bran and Sgeolainn, are actually
transformed humans, The Cwn Annwn, are the Gabriel hounds that accompany Gwynn ap
Nudd during the Wild Hunt as well as guarding the gates to the Underworld or Annwn
the kingdom of the God of the Dead, Arawn. Cuchulain the Champion of Ulster gets his
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name from replacing the Hound of Cuchul that he kills. He is called the "Hound
of Ulster" from this event. The hound is also his totem animal.
(2-21,O'Dubh) <a slight pause>

There are many other Magickal totemic animals in Celtic Magick and history: the
Eagle (Iolair), Crow (Badb), Raven (Bran), Sow (Airc), Boar (Bacrie), Cat (Caoit),
Otter (Balgair), Bear (Arth), Badger (Breach) and the Eel (As-chu).
The Dragon is another mighty Magical animal that appears in British and Welsh
stories. It is, of course, a creature of fire but is also related
to the Power of the Land. Another word for Ley Lines is Dragon Lines. Another name
for raising Power is to invoke the "Eye of the Dragon". The whole Earth was viewed
by the Druids as the body of the Dragon. Menhirs and stone Circles were located at
great Power nodes. The Celts called Dragons "Fire Drakes".

(2-21,O'Dubh) The importance of these animals is in their use as Spirit Guides in

the Otherworld and their aid as a familiar in working Magick. To find your totemic
animal will require you to experience a
shamanistivc trance. This is usually accomplished by "drumming" and
meditation. (You'll need someone to drum or a "drumming tape" to allow yourself a
chance to really meditate). Open youself up to the God of the Hunt as you meditate
upon the Tree of Life. He will come to you while you are in trance (usually after
10 to 40 minutes of drumming). Your
totem animal will apear running from the Great Forest. When the animal appears, let
its essence fill you. Become your totem. Dance its dance and sing its song until you
are one in the Spirit. You should repeat this ritual as often as necessary to
have a close rapport with your Spirit Animal guide. Much of what you are told and
given will be from
the perspective of the Animal and will be difficult to understand unless you are
truly One with it.
(2-4,Nan) does one usually only have a single totem animal or is
it possible to have more than one? ga
(2-21,O'Dubh) It's possible to have more than one. You might have a clan totem as
well as a personal totem animal.
(2-21,O'Dubh) Ok I have one more topic to cover "The Transmigration of the Soul"
I would like to start this discussion by quoting an ancient Celtic Culdean verse:
"Out of a Timeless World
Shadows fall upon time.
From a beauty older than earth
A ladder the soul may climb.
I climb by Fionn's Stair
To a whiteness older than time."
The above verse is referring to Aradach Fionn, a listing of the Oghams. Each rung of
the ladder or stair represents a lesson learned or a new life of continuing
perfection. Such a series of lessons and rebirths are a manifestation of the Druidic
concept of the Tramsmigration of the Soul.

A few quotes about Druids:

"The principal point of their teaching is that the soul does not perish, and that
after death it passes from one body into another." .....Julius Caesar.

"Among them the doctrine of Pythagoras prevails, according to which the souls of men
are immortal, and after a fixed term recommence to live, taking upon themselves a
new body."....Diodorus

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According to some sources, this transmigration of the soul was done in an
upward fashion, with each incarnation bringing the Being closer to the True Spirit.
According to others, we are reincarnated into future lives of our progeny...thus
Mongan is The Spirit of Fionn reincarnated in the Seventh Century CE (Fionn
himself was said to be Cumhail reincarnated). As we have seen previously, the Spirit
of Tuan mac Carill is reincarnated several times as a variety of animals until he is
reborn
in the sixth century and relates his history of Ireland from the time of Partholan
forward, St. Finnen is the Irish monk to whom the story was
related. This story was eventually recorded in the Eleventh century manuscript, "The
Book of the Dun Cow". No record exists to indicate that
the Druids believed in "karma", duality (as seen in the concept of "good and evil"),
original sin (actually they believed man was inheritly good), nor a heaven and hell
afterlife.

Where did one's soul reside then ? Many stories were told and written of the
Otherworlds that awaited the Spirit between incarnations, These
stories are called immrama or "wonder voyages" and usually involve taking ship to a
Magickal Isle. The voyages of Bran and St. Brendan
generally fit into these catagories.
When one arrives at an Otherworldly island, time can pass extremely slowly compared
to the Physical world. Oisin the son of Fionn went to such a faery world for a few
days only. When he returned for a visit upon one of those Magickal White Horses, he
discovered that many hundreds of years had passsed. Although he had been cautioned
not to dismount during his visit, he did so and was immediately transformed into an
extremely elderly man. St. Patrick was brought to him and heard his many stories of
the exploits of Fionn and the Fianna as well as the
lands of Tir na Og. Oisin was eventualy rescued by his Sidhe princess and returned
to the Land of Eternal Youth. Some of the other Lands are called:

Tir fo Thuinn - Land under the Wave.

Tir na mBan - Land of Women.
Tir na mBeo - Land of Life.

These four Tirs or lands make up the Celtic Underworld where Souls reside until
reborn. There are also Plains above that are generally the habitations of the Gods.
Thes are:
Sen Magh - Old Plain
Magh Argetal - Plain of Silver Clouds
Magh Mell - Plain of Delight
Magh Ionganaidh - Plain of Wonder
The Irish Celts felt that the Being had the following attributes or divisions:
Delph - The appearance or Outer form
Duile - The Body Elements
(flesh, bone, blood, etc)
Ana'l - The breath or anima
Menma - The Mind and the Will
Cuimhne - The Memory
Fein - The Self
Pu'ca - The shape-shifting Shadow
Enaid - The Soul.

I would like to finish my remarks on Reincarnation and Transmigration with another

ancient verse. This verse is from the Fifth Century CE and is the translation by
Kuno Meyer:
"I invoke the seven daughters of the sea
Who fashion the threads of the sons of
long life.
May three deaths be taken from me!
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May seven waves of good fortune be dealt to me!
May no evil spirits harm me on my circuit!
In flashing corslet without hindrance!
May my fame not perish!
May old age come to me, may death not come
to me until I am old!"

"I invoke Senach of the seven periods of time,

Whom fairy women have reared on the breasts
of plenty.
May my seven candles not be extinguished!
I am an indestructable stronghold.
I am an unshaken rock.
I am a precious stone.
I am the luck of the week.
May I live a hundred times a hundred years.
Each hundred of them apart!
I summon their boons to me.
May the grace of the Holy Spirit be upon me!"

That's the Celtic view of life! To live but to have variety and passion, while
reincarnating over and over!<G>
Celtic Workshop #7

"In Between Times and Places", "Need Fires" or Days of Imbalance,

Portals, Dolmens, Passage Graves and Stone Circles"
Tonight the Magickal nature of "In Between Times and Places" will be discussed and
examples will be given for their use in Magickal "workings". The Druidic concept of
"imbalance" in Magickal workings will be introduced and discussed. The nature and
use of the stone megalithic sites will also be presented and discussed.
Tonight we undertake a journey to the lands that are between the worlds. This is the
same place where anything can happen that Rod Serling referred to as the "Twilight
Zone". The ancient Celts sought out this Magickal place to aid their Magickal Power
and to seek the Otherworld. Before we can undertake this journey of the Spirit as
well as the Mind, a brief review and synopsis of our previous discussions on the
Celtic Otherworld and Magick are in order.

"In Between Times and Places"

As we noted previously, the Celts believed that Reality actually consisted of
multiple worlds. As a minimum, they believed there was a World of the Stars or
Gods, a Middle World (the Earth) and an Underworld. All these worlds were connected
in some way, with events and Magicks from one affecting events occuring in a
different world.
The Celts believed that these Worlds were closer at certain times. These are the "In
Between Times" that we are going to speak about tonight. It should also be no
surprise that the Celts and Druids practiced their most important Magicks during
such times of transition as the sunrise, sunset,the moonrise, moonset and the
transitions of the seasons (Beltaine and Samhain) and the extremes of the Sun
(Mid-Winter and Mid-Summer) or the great "Fire Festivals". Later during our
discussions of stone circles and passage graves we shall see one way that this
desire to do Magick at the optimal times was possibly implemented.

"The Magickal Laws of Druidic Power"

Celtic tales of Magick are filled with events that are linked to "in between
states". This could be a mysterious fog, a time of dusk or next to the edge of
water. All of these conditions have one state in common, they represent imbalance.
Any student of the physical sciences can tell you, that all forces can be resolved
into the sum total of the individual forces. One of the factors that must be
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overcome when moving anything is inertia. During times of change, when imbalance
occurs naturally, is the time chosen by Druids for their Magicks. This is and
example of the Law of Magickal Association, the Law of Similarity and the Law of
Contagion as stated by Issac Bonewits in his book "Real Magick". Here is a listing
of those three laws of Magick:
Law of Association.
If two things have anything in common that thing can be used to control both, and
they have a mutual influence on each other, depending on the size of the thing
shared. The more they have in common, the more they influence each other.
Law of Similarity.
This is the basis of "Sympathetic" magic and basically says that effects resembles
causes. "Lookalikes are alike".
Law of Contagion.
It states that once things come into contact, they continue to interact after
separation. "Power is contagious".
These three Laws of Magick basically say that if you want to do Magick pick a time
when Magick occurs that is similar to the kind of Magick that you want to
accomplish. There is a very similar belief held by modern Wiccans. Wiccans normally
do creative or "positive" magick when the Moon is in its waxing phases. Banishing or
"dark" Magick is done during the waning phases of the Moon. Druidic Magick took
advantage of the times when the Sun or Moon "touched" the Earth (Sun/Moon rise/set).
At such a time, some of the Power inherit to these heavenly deities could be
"borrowed". This is the Law of Contagion at work. At Sunrise and Sunset is when the
mists "Magickally" appear, making fog or mists a time of Magickal workings. The area
of transition between states of matter such as the edge of a river or lake was also
thought to be a Magickal location. This could have been due to the belief that all
knowledge flowed forth from the Well of Segais or Conla's Well but I believe it is
more closely associated with the belief that where different worlds met was also a
place where entry to the Otherworld was the easiest. This also explains why they
favored divination by the edge of water. Fire scrying is another example of this
"Magick" in transition states. Fire is the ultimate transitory state of matter and
leads us to the next topic of discussion, "Need Fires" and "Days of Imbalance".

"Days of Imbalance"
As you will recall, another time of greatest imbalance was when the change of the
seasons and the extremes of the Sun. This is, of course, Beltaine, Samhain,
Mid-Winter's and Mid-Summer's Solstices. Great fires were kindled during these
festivals for two reasons: To encourage and enhance the energies of the Sun and to
create conditions favorable to Tramsmutation of Power.
These "need fires" were used to scry, to purify and to sacrifice as well. Animals
and other offerings were cast into the flames. As we have seen in a previous
Workshop, cattle were driven between the fires and
youths engaged in jumping through the flames. (It has been conjectured that this
practice of flame jumping had its origins in earlier practices of human sacrifice.
I personally have not seen a single valid reference to Druidic human sacrifices.)
The thought was also held that "like attracts like", so that the Power of the flames
would also attract the Magickal Power of the Sun.
Being periods of imbalance, the Druids also took advantage of the flows of power to
perform divinations. These great fires also served to signal the Power of the
Druids to all people, as well as to unify their control over the minds of the Celtic
nations.

"The Otherworld, Portals and Domans"

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Although the Celts did not build the megalithic structures found within their lands,
they were certainly aware of them. Without exception these monuments were attributed
to the God/dessess, heroes and/or to the Tuatha de Dannan. The many dolmens were
thought to be passage ways or portals to the Otherworld. Many myths and tales
surround trips made to and from the realm of the Sidhe by passing through a dolmen
archway when the Moon was full. Modern archeology has determined that these dolmens
are actually neolithic burial sites.
"Bru'gh na Bo'inne (Newgrange)"
One of the oldest structures in the Western world is found in Ireland upon the banks
of the Boyne river. This is the Bru'gh na Bo'inne, the burial place of Irish kings
and the legendary palce of the Dagdha and Angus mac Og. The area is also known, in
English, as New Grange. This structure was erected by the original inhabitants of
the land around 3500 BC, predating Stonehenge and being contemporary with the Sphinx
and the Pyramids of Egypt. The structure was covered with white stones in ancient
times and would "shine' in the Sun when seen from great distances. This is very
similar to the way the Great Pyramid was also described when seen in the sunlight
with it's reflective coating.
Many ancient Irish legends and tales are associated with this structure and the
passage of time. Most of these tales are about time standing still or seeming to
pass without notice. Their stories center around Angus mac Og (the Young God), his
birth in a day, his attaining the ownership of the Bruig for "only a day and a
night" (lasting forever in endless cycles), and his arrangement of his foster father
Midir's marriage to Etain (who is the subject of many stories of shapeshifting and
transformation).

"Spirals, Symbols and Carvings"

This theme of timeless days and transformation is very important when one considers
that one possible use of this structure was the taking of shamanistic journeys.
(Angus himself was visited by an aisling or "dream woman" who played for him upon a
timpan and eventually they are transformed into white birds of enchantment).
Martin Brennan, an Irish-American, was the first person to note the relationship
between the carvings at New Grange and the rays of the Sun. Using the discoveries of
Brennan and our previous information about Celtic Shamanism, I am going to suggest
that the interior chambers of this structure were used for shamanistic ceremonies
and journeys.
Let me describe the geometry of Bru'gh na Bo'inne that a Draoi' priest might have
encountered when appraoching the structure for religious/Magickal ceremonies. The
first thing that would be noticed is a brillant white bowl or hemisphere shining
amidst a sea of green. This mound is surrounded by 97 kerbstones and the entire
structure is then encircled by a ring of standing stones. At the entrance is a
stone that one walks around to enter the inner chambers. This stone is covered with
spirals that have been carved into the stone. The stone is divided by a line that is
aligned with the Mid-Winter Sunrise, the right hand spirals being counter clockwise
(tuathal or widdershins) and the left hand spirals going clockwise (deosil). This is
exactly the same type of path through the sky that one would observe for the sun
during the year. (In fact, if you take a lens and focus the Sun's light on a board
and leave it in place for a year, a track will burned upon the board in the shape of
an interconnected double spiral. This experiment was done in the early 1970's by
American artist Charles Ross.) The entrace to the interior chambers, beyond the
entrance stone, is 70 meters in length. One must pass beneath three large stones
that are thought to be symbolic of the Celtic Cosmology, the Sky World, the Middle
World and the Underworld. Once past this Otherworldly entrance, one encounters a
large chamber with four smaller side chambers that are oriented to the four cardinal
directions (North, South, East and West). The inner walls are covered with spirals
and symbols, among them is an eight-rayed sun symbol (depicted within a circle).
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This symbol as well as the rest are selectively illuminated by the Sun's entrance
through a small hole in the roof box that is oriented directly to the Mid-Winter
sunrise. A finger of light would shine within the chamber to illuminate the
carvings, shining in golden flecks upon the chamber walls. Within the main chamber
were great stone bowls that were possibly filed with water and arranged to further
enhance the solar display within by acting as mirrors. The seemingly hap-hazard
arrangement of carvings upon the walls are organized and transformed by the rays of
the Sun.
"A Night with Angus mac Og"
Now that the stage is set, imagine yourself to be a seer of the fourth millenia BC.
You have fasted for days and have spent the long dark night of Mid-Winter meditating
within the inner chambers of Angus mac Og. You have performed your rituals you have
attained a trance-like state and you await the rising of the Sun, the new God of
Light to return to the world. What far journeys or estatic visions will be triggered
within your Sacred Space by the new Sun's first rays? A sudden thin ray of white
light pierces the blackness of the inner chamber with an illuminating shower of
images as the inner darkness explodes! Your mind reflects the brilliance of the new
born Sun as your inner consciousness expands into infinity! Your brothers and
sisters would follow the dark shadow the standing stone to the carn's entrance to
find you and the inner chamber reborn within the rebirth of the Mid-Winter Sunrise!
What stories you could tell! What prophecies you could make! I sometimes think that
Bru'gh na Bo'inne is really the Hyperborean " ...temple of the Sun..." mentioned by
the ancient Greek writers, rather than Stonehenge.
"The Land of the Hyperboreans"
Perhaps the British Isles are the Islands of the Hperboreans after all? Where else
is found such a system of large scale, megalithic structures all centered around the
Sun and the Otherworld? One has only to step within any of these raths to be
transported to another time or another age. Bru'gh na Bo'inne is only one among many
such locations. Three great mounds exist in this area of the Boyne river, New
Grange is the most elaborate but the nearby mounds of Dowth and Knowth are also
fascinating. Dowth is oriented to receive the rays of the setting Sun on Mid-Winter
while Knowth has two passages and is oriented to receive the rays of the Equinoxes.
These chambered passages are not limited to Ireland, but are found throughout the
British Isles and even in Brittany. Two noteable sites are located at Maes Howe in
the Orkney Islands and at Gavrinis in Brittany. The interaction of carvings and site
orientation is also wide spread and not limited to just the rays of the Sun. Many
sites also used the beams of the Moon to illuminate passages and special formations.
Although these sites could be called observatories by those of a purely scientific
viewpoint, that would be in direct contradiction to the aims and worldviews of their
creators. To fully appreciate the beauty, majesty and wonder of these Magick sites,
requires us to use our entire mind. Perhaps we should now consider the other great
location that has equal claim to being the Hyperborean Temple of the Sun? That
location is called Stonehenge.
"Faery Rings"

Who has nor heard of the mysterious lights that are seen within faery rings when the
Sidhe dance within the Moon ways? Such lights have also been observed within
Magickal Circles constructed by Wiccans and modern day Ceremonial Magicians. The
crop circle phenomena has also been associated with light displays and formations.
All these phenomena have been reported and seen by reliable witnesses (although , as
with all such events, there have been cases of fraud as well). The fact is that such
circlular formations have all been associated with light displays and other
unexplained phenomena. It is no coincidence that all of the previously mentioned
Magickal phenomena are also associated with the oldest such locations, the stone
circles. Many hundreds of these sites are found in Britain, Ireland, Scotland and
Wales. The two greatest of these are Stonehenge and Avebury. I will discuss
Stonehenge tonight. I may discuss Avebury in the future if it is of sufficient
interest to the other members of the workshop.
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"Stonehenge"
Has there ever been a place to fire the imagination such as Stonehenge? What secrets
does it hide as it sits amid the many other marvels to be found upon the Salisbury
Plains ? This question and thousands more like it have passed through the minds of
mortals for at least the last 3000 years. Why was it built? Who built it? How was it
used? Can it be used again? I'm sure you many have a few questions of your own!<G>
Before we get to the questions, let's go through a few of the details we know about
the site and some of the more recent discoveries that have been made regarding its
possible uses.
"Stonehenge I"
Stonehenge was built in three phases, starting with the construction of Stonehenge I
around the year 1900 BC. This is about a thousand years after the Pyramids and the
tombs of the Bru'ghna Bo'inne and a few hundred years before the fall of ancient
Troy and the Oddessy. The first phase of construction was a great circular ditch
with banks being piled upon either side. The people building it were late Stone Age
people, Not much is known about them except that they were hunters. An opening was
left on the northeast side with four holes being left at the entrance that may have
contained wooden poles. Two other holes inside the enclosure may have held upright
stones. A third hole was dug that still contains the "heel stone", over which the
sunrise is observed. A variety of other features are associated with this first
phase of construction. I shall refer you to "Stonehenge Decoded" by Gerald S.
Hawkins and John B. White for a more indepth discussion of these or other Stonehenge
details. The entire structure was about 320 feet in diameter and about 6 feet high
by 20 feet wide with the heel stone and possibly two other standing stones being
visible. The entire bank would have been glaring white since most of the surrounding
surface region is composted mostly of chalk. The heel stone rises about 16 feet into
the air and is about 8 feet thick by 7 feet wide. Around the inside of the bank was
a series of 56 holes called "Aubrey" holes. These holes contain the created remains
of men and women from that period. Even in its first phase, I'm sure you'll agree,
it must have been an imposing structure.
"Stonehenge II"
Work upon the second phase of Stonehenge was begun about 1750 BC by another race of
people known as the "Beaker People". These people built two concentric inner stone
rings consisting of 82 bluestones on about a 70 foot diameter around the center of
the mound. The entrance was widened in the ditch bank by about 25 feet and a double
row of 10 bluestones was placed in the entrance to the stone circles. This work was
done during about a hundred year period and was never finished due to some unknown
interruption. With their departure, the Stone age closes in Britain and awaits the
coming of the Bronze Age.
"Stonehenge III"
The third and final phase in the construction of Stonehenge was undertaken by the
"Wessex People" in about the year 1650 BC. These people were much more highly
skilled than the "Beaker People" and carried on commerce with the peoples of the
Mediterranean area. So many artifacts are found from these areas that some
scientists have developed the theory that Stonehenge was finished under the auspices
of a "Master Builder" from the Mediterranean. Since this is the only large
megalithic structure attributed to the Wessex People, they may well be correct. The
previous double ring of bluestones were removed and set aside for later use. They
were replaced by a single row of huge sarsen stones coming from Marlborough Downs. A
horseshoe shaped structure consisting of "trilithons" was placed inside of the
sarsens and aligned upon the northeast opening and the center of the new stone ring.
These "tri-lithons" are not found in other stone circles and are further evidence of
the sophistication of the builders. The cross pieces are held in place using a
woodworking technique called "mortise and tenon" construction. All of these stone
pieces were hand-worked. The uprights are very close together (about a foot or
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less). The outer circle is 97 feet 4 inches in diameter. The outer stones are about
14 feet high by 7 feet wide by 3 1/2 feet thick. The inner horseshoe is formed by
stones ranging from about 20 to 25 feet high. A temporary structure which was oval
shaped was constructed around the sarsen horseshoe that used the previously removed
bluestones. This oval was removed and the stones were later used to form a horseshoe
of bluestones inside of the sarsen horseshoe. A number of holes was also dug outside
the sarsen circles called the "Y" and "Z" holes. These are in a pair of roughly
circular rings around the entire structure. One stone remains to be described and
that is called the "altar stone" though no hole has been found for it and no use has
been clearly defined. It is of a different material from the sarsens or bluestones.
It came from a quarry 30 miles away and is of fine grained green sandstone with mica
flakes. If clean, it would glitter in the sunlight. Stonehenge III was completed
about 1600 BC and now we are left with the Mysteries of its construction and use.
"A Quick Word about Construction"
The construction techniques would take an entire Workshop to cover and will not be
discussed tonight. I refer you to "Stonehenge Decoded" for details. An estimate
was made of the effort required using the conjectured techniques and and estimate of
1,500,000 man days was determined to be the level of effort required to build
Stonehenge. These techniques were demonstrated using modern day men to determine how
many were actually required for each task. I believe the estimate to be realistic
and accurate. The question remains, "Why undertake such a truly monumental effort ?"
Although the "Hows" of Stonehenge are fascinating, I am much more mystified by the
"Whys"!
"A Quick Word about Uses"
I can classify the "Uses" into five categories:
1. It was used as a Calender to predict the seasons, the phases of the
Moon, and the times of the Sun Festivals.
2. It was used as a site for performing Ceremonies (everything from
sacrifices to Season fesitivals).
3. It was used as a Computer to determine Solar and Lunar eclipses. (The
use as a celestial observatory also fits in here).
4. It was used as a place to work Magick, take shamanistic journeys
(similar to a Native American Medicine Wheel), and was used to initiate new shamans
or priests into the order.
5. It was used for some other purpose that is subject to conjecture and
awaits the revelations of our own "illuminations".
I will attempt to provide details about the site that have been determined by
computer analysis and let each of you decide for yourselves what you think, since
tonight we are very limited timewise. We may return to these topics for additional
details in the future.
"The Computer Analysis"
How well did Stonehenge predict the Mid Summer/WInter sunrises and/or moonrises?
When the stone alignments were analyzed by Hawkins in 1961, using a digital computer
borrowed from Havard University. The analsis showed a TOTAL correlation of all major
Sun alignments and an almost total correlation with alignments of the Moon as well.
The accuracy of these correlations was within 1.5 degrees. The calculations were
based upon the positions of the Sun and Moon circa 1500 BC. When the various phases
of Stonehenge were considered, it was found that Stonehenge I had 11 key positions
that pointed to ten of the twelve extremes of the Sun and the Moon and Stonehenge
III pointed 8 times to 8 of the same key positions! Needless to say, the position
and day of the key Solar/Lunar days could be easily determined using Stonehenge as a
calendar. (I will construct and upload GIFs showing these alignments to Library 16).
The computer was also used to determine a method where the 56 "Aubrey holes" were
used to predict eclipses. (BTW 56 is also the number of years that the moon takes to
complete its entire cycle through the skies). These facts have been used to support
the arguement that the priests using Stonehenge could have reinforced their apparant
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"power" over the elements by not only predicting the "dreaded" eclipses but also to
"miraculously" cause them to disappear. I personally couldn't say if this
speculation is valid. It seems rather cynical to me. Another very interesting fact
about the location of Stonehenge is that it is almost EXACTLY at the right lattitude
(51 degrees 17 to allow the Sun and Moon azimuths to be separated by 90 degrees. It
would seem that the site was NOT chosen at random.
"Shamanistic Flights of Imagination"
Before starting, I'd like to quote the ancient Sicilian historian, Diodorus about
Britain in 50 BC:
"The Moon as viewed from this island appears to be but a little distance from the
Earth and to have on it prominences like those of the Earth, which are visible to
the eye. The account is also given that the god visits the island every 19 years,
the period in wish the stars to the same place in the heavens is accomplished.
....There is also on this island both a magnificient sacred precienct of Apollo and
a notable temple.... and the supervisors are called Boreadae, and succession to
these positions is always kept in their families."
(BTW the Moon rises farthest to the North every 18 to 19 years as seen from the
center of Stonehenge).
I would like to speculate upon some of the possible Magickal aspects of Stonehenge:

1. The site is situated in the midst of a lot of so called "crop circle"

activity. Could the energy of these verified phenomena also be harnessed by
Stonehenge? Could an outbreak of crop circle like marks have sparked the neolithic
people to have constructed their own more permanent circles?

2. Is there an Earth power that is yet to be discovered by modern science.

Is this power related to "orgone" as postulated by Wilhelm Reich from his work with
"bions"? Reich said that this energy could be seen spiralling into the air through
tubes made from organic matter. His "accumulators" were like batteries for orgone
and were made of alternating layers of organic and inorganic substances (like the
roofs of the great chambers at Bru'gh na Bo'inne). Guy Underwood was also a
proponent of what he caled "earth force" (also described as being spiral in nature).
Underwood used divining rods to locate pockets of such energy within Stonehenge.
3. Is there a "Dragon" or "Serpent" power waiting to be harnessed within
the Earth? Many of the ancient tombs have such a mark above their entrys. The
Druids certainly believed it was so. Could ancient kings have married the land here
as suggested in Marion Zimmer Bradley's "The Mists of Avalon"? I know the area is
surrounded by the burial mounds of many ancient kings. Is the "Dragon Power"
awaiting a new infusion of energy from a group of dedicated Magickal practitioners.
Does the Dragon sleep?
4. The many solar/lunar occurences at Stonehenge suggest it may have been
associated with shamanistic practices and initiations in a manner similar to the
areas of the Bru'gh na Bo'inne. Such a practice is suggested in Douglas Monroe's
"The 21 Lessons of Merlin". Is Stonehenge a portal to the Otherworld?
"Ley Lines"
One cannot discuss "earth force", "orgone" or the Earth Power nodes such as
Stonehenge without discussing ley lines. These lines are geometrically located by
standing at a Power node and sighting towards other power nodes. Using such
techniques, "ley hunters" have determined that most of southwestern England is criss
crossed by such lines. Are ley lines "power conduits" between "power nodes"? To
answer this question I read "Earth Memory" and "Shamanism and the Mystery Lines" by
Paul Devereaux, the editor of the "Ley Hunter" magazine and the Director of the
"Dragon Project". Devereaux has embraced, investigated, evaluated and rejected more
theories about the "ley lines" than anyone else (as far as I know). He acknowledges
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that "death roads" do exist near many of these sites but rejects them as being
solely responsible for all ley lines. (NOTE: death roads are straight roads leading
to such ancient centers for the express purpose of burials and funerary processions.
They are well documented and universal to mankind). His own personal theory is that
the ley lines are the result of shamanistic OOBE conducted at the so called "power
nodes". The ley lines are the result of marking in this reality the patways that the
shamans take in their altered reality from one sacred site to another. He suggests
that these "traces" of the Earth's Spiritual Pathways are the means by which we can
become re-attuned to the Earth's Power and ancient knowledge.

Well there we have it, a discussion of Druid Power and Power centers. I know from my
own experience that Magickal Power is stored within my own Solitary home Circle. How
much greater can the True Power be at a site as special as Stonehenge or Bru'gh na
Bo'inne?

Celtic Workshop #8 - The "Rite of 3 Rays" and the "Gift of Awen"

As usual, we gathered slowly, in fact I was late. After some brief initial hellos,
we got started. Freepowder was still trying to live down an experience with Coyote
(the Trickster) from early in the day!<G> I discussed the book "The 21 Lessons of
Merlin" by Douglas Monroe as an example of a work produced by "Awen". I wanted to
give the Workshop members a perspective on the pluses and minuses involved with such
works. I also went over some formal and personal rituals and meditations I do to
receive "illumination". All in all, a very stimulating evening of presentation and
dialogue......Searles O'Dubhain

Tonight I would like to do things a little differently than I had planned. Before we
discuss the "Rite of 3 Rays" or the "Gift of Awen", let's talk about one of the
references that I have used and some of you may have read, "The 21 Lessons of
Merlin".

As we have previously discussed, not much was written down about the Druids by the
Druids. The best we can get is the ancient writings of the Irish Celtic Culdean
Monks who may have been Druids in disguise. Our next best sources are oral
traditions found in Celtic families, legends and Bardic lore. Comparative analysis
between the other ancient Indo-European traditions of the Brammans, Greeks,
Persians,Egyptians and the Siberian Shamans may yield some of the hidden Druidic
secrets. A lot of the time we are making some educated guesses based upon how
similar peoples worked Magicks and conducted rituals. Sometimes we have biased
"eye-witnessed" accounts such as Caesar's or the other Roman historians. When a gap
exists in our knowledge of Druidic or Celtic practices we must do what the ancients
did......we must ask that we receive the "Gift of Awen". I'll mention some ways that
this can happen and what we can do to aid our quests for "illumination" a little
later in our discussion tonight.

What does all this have to do with "the 21 Lessons of Merlin" you ask? ..... The
answer is that this is precisely the approach that Douglas Monroe seems to have
taken in his book. He fills in the gaps with concepts that have come to him as
illuminations and also uses the illuminations of the "Bardic Mysteries" of Wales
(also arrived at by the aforementioned methods). Since we are all humans, some
mistakes can occur when we interpret our "illuminated" thoughts and concepts. This
is precisely why ALL SOURCES should be viewed critically and questioned (even as our
very own Freepowder is prone to do!<G>). I know I constantly question and compare.
Monroe's book has some very good concepts in it and some that I dispute. My primary
dispute with him is over his concepts regarding the sexual polarities and workings
of Magick.

He states that Druids were segregated in their Magickal workings because men and
women cannot work together in a symbiotic manner Magickally. He says that women
receive Magick from men but do not return it when a
working is done. This is directly opposite my own experiences where I have found the
presence of women to Powerfully enhance the working of Magicks. He also states that
male Druids did not marry and were celibate. That may be true in Wales, but the
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Irish Druids married and had many children. Abstaining from sex would have severely
depleted the Magickal "gene pool"! The Druids were not stupid! I doubt seriously if
they abstained from sex or procreation! Sex Magick is Big Magick! (As I'm sure we
will all agree!<G>). So Monroe does make mistakes....so do it.<G> Time and
experimentation are the two best tools to evaluate any system and the systems of
this book will be analyzed fully before we are done in this series of Workshops.
Now I would like to briefly summarize what is in "The 21 Lessons of Merlin":
1. The 3 Rites of Assumption

This lesson refers to the manner in which a student can first develop
the ability to tap Power and to receive inspirations from the Higher Consciousness
that exist around us. Monroe uses the "Song of Amergin", "The Song of Taliesin" and
the "Song of Blue Star" to introduce us to Druidic imagery and visualization.

2. The Pelen Tan

In this lesson, Monroe says that the "Pelen Tan" or a

kind of glass globe with a candle or light inside of it was used to create a lighted
space under trees that literally caused the area to glow with a "blue light" (used
by male Druids). He also says that the white robes of the Druids emphasized the
"black light" effect of these fire globes. He says that the female Witches of Avalon
used "red lights' when performing their ceremonies, giving rise to the association
of "red light" districts with prostitution in later ages.

3. The 4 Symbols of Mastery

This lesson is concerned with the development of Magickal

symbols, arch types and correspondences. The concept of "Mastery" over the elements
is introduced and the need to be creative and original in all occult work is
emphasized.

4. The Summoning

A complete rite of Magickal evocation is described here.

Monroe tells how to call the shades of the dead from their graves. He introduces the
use of herbs and incense into ritual. The specific shade being evoked in this
ceremony is that of Merlin.

5. The 4 Signs of Portal

This lesson shows how to form a Magickal Circle, to call

forth the Guardians of the 4 portals to the Otherworld. Symbols are given for each
Quarter (Air, Fire, Water and Earth) as well as the symbols for the "Sign of Three
Rays" that represents Spirit or Akasha (similar to the Pentagram). The Old ones
called are Uscias, Semias, Esras and Morfessa of the Magickal cities of the North.
The God in the form of Herne is also invoked.

6. The 4 Sacraments of the Earth

The concepts of sacrifice to the elements upon a "Sun" day is

presented. (Not human sacrifice BTW).
7. The 8 Grove Festivals

The eight major grove festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Beltaine,

Lughnasadh as well as the Mid-Winter, Mid-Summer Solstices and the Equinoxes are
described. Some of the special items associated with each festival are given.

8. The 16 Leeches of Diancecht

The use of herbs in Druidic ceremonies and practices is

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introduced. A discussion of Reincarnation is given and a Magickal journey is
undertaken using these herbs.
9. The Rite of 3 Rays

A means of achieving protection is described. The rite is

likened to the Ceremonial Magick rite of the Banishing Rituals of the Pentagram as
practiced by the Golden Dawn.

10. The Battle of the Trees

The Oghams are discussed and the "Battle of the Trees" is

described. A battle between wizards occurs and the Magick of the trees is used to
defeat Merlin's adversary, just as the tree Magick was used to defeat invaders
during the Cad Goddeu (circa 400 BC). One of the nine draughts of inspiration is
described that will allow the Druid to commune more thoroughly with the spirits of
the trees.

11. The 8 Songs of Cycle

The correspondences of the Oghams to music and the use of music in

Magickal acts is presented. The use of musical instruments is described for the
various elements and a tie between the Druids and Atlantis is suggested.

12. The Herbs of Continence

This lesson centers around Monroe's belief that Druids

segregated by sexes for education, Magick and workings. He describes a concept
called "Duality". He uses a trip to the Sisterhood of Avalon (Glastonbury) to
present his case. He also advocates celibacy for male Druids but not for the Sisters
(beyond Maidenhood). Four herbal concoctions are presented that enhance male sexual
powers.

13. The Gateway Rite

A visit to Stonehenge is described. The history and lore

of the site is mentioned with references to Atlanteans, Hyberboreans and even the
Tuatha de Dannan. A method of merging with the consciousness of inanimate objects is
also described.

14. The Dragon's Eye

The act of creating Druid fire is mentioned during a visit to the Isle
of Wight. The ley lines and the Power of the Land are called Dragon Power during
this lesson. A rite that allows one to "call the Dragon" is presented and the symbol
for the "Dragons Eye" is drawn.

15. The Rite of Inspiration

The use of meditation and Magickal Circles is described to allow one

to receive enlightenment to the Awen (the inner spirit that is illuminated). Two
rituals are given and the connection between the Sun and Awen is given.

16. The Wild Hunt

The use of the Mandragon herb is described during a shamanic contest

between the Druid and the forces of Nature (usually done during Samhain). The gains
and losses of such a competition are mentioned.

17. The Life Board

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A Magickal symbol for the Three Circles of Existence
(Ceugant, Gwyned and Abred) is given. Fionn's ladder is discussed. The use of such
an empowered Magickal Symbol for makings and pathworkings is described.
18. The Rite of Libation

A variety of Druidic draughts is given.

(2-10,Trailstalker) RE #16: I thought that Druids were in alignment with Nature.
What are they contesting?
(2-22,O'Dubhain) This particular lesson is about being in the Woods during the
Wild Hunt of Gwynn ap Nudd when the raw primal forces of Nature heighten one's inner
fears.
(2-22,O'Dubhain) It's a rite of Mastery whereby the young Druidic Initiate
masters himself and faces the power of Nature, the winds, the Darkness, the
lightnings and such. So it's really a test to see how in tune you are with Nature.
19. The Threshold Rite

The use of herbs and incense to enhance a journey to the Otherworld is

given.

20. The Triscale Stones

Divination using stones is presented. A pathworked trip to the

Otherworldly city of Caer Idris is made to show the origins of the technique. The
suggestion is given to find one's personal "oracle tree" under which divinations
will be optimized.

21. The Rite of the Active Door

The secrets of color and the concepts of invisibility are given along
with a ritual that opens all occult knowledge to the Druid. This Ritual is the rite
of passage to the Inner Mysteries.
If you read this book, you'll see that the Druids are presented doing Magicks that
harm others at times. Some of the Druids even do battle! This certainly violates
the Wiccan Rede that states "Do what you will if you harm none"> The fact is that
Druids were not Witches and they frequently did battle as well as aiding their clans
and kings in war. The great Druid Amergin aided the Mileseans in their battles with
the Tuatha de Dannan. Many other examples exist of Druids harming plenty, least of
all none. Druids were definitely not Wiccans. Monroe's book follows this philosophy,
so some may call it "unethical". He also advocates the use of a variety of naturals
drugs to aid in Magicks,
meditations and Illuminations. I personally think these practices are a matter of
individual judgement and neither recommend nor reject them. Do what you will. The
choice is yours.
"The Rite of Three Rays"
This Ritual is similar to the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram and
the Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram performed during Ceremonial Magick and Ritual
by the Golden Dawn as outlined by Donald Craig or Israel Regardie. Monroe gives his
version of this ritual in his book "the 21 Lessons of Merlin". I haven't found any
historical support for it in my Celtic references but it seems to be typical of what
I think a Druid might do. (The Ritual smacks of Egyptian/Thelemic Magickal practice
IMHO). Monroe likens the 3 Rays or gestures in this ritual to the first 3 Rays of
the Mid-Summer Sun over the horizon (the Celts called this Awen as well).

This ritual is primarily used to generate Power within the Druid for
protection or receiving "illumination" according to Monroe. It uses the vibratory
energies of sound coupled with the physical act of deep
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breathing and communing with the Sun to create an "altered state" within the Druid.

Here's the basic steps of the ritual:

1. Stand in direct sunlight (noon if you can do it).

2. Close your eyes and breathe deeply to relax and start the path to
a meditative state.

3. Once you are relaxed, exhale then breathe in deeply as you raise
your hands above your head.

4. Slowly lower your arms while intoning loudly, "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" or

"I" (The name of Isis in CM or Golden Dawn, this is the invocation of the Goddess
Power). Bring your arms to your sides.

5. Repeat this step while intoning "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" or "A" for

Apophis the Destroyer. Monroe calls this the "Crystal Ray" or Ray of Balance and
Separation. He says this represents both Male and Female energies and also neither
(sounds a lot like the Book of the Law).

6. Repeat again while intoning "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" or "O" for the Male

God Osiris. This invokes the God Power to your aid.

7. repeat the arm gestures a final time while intoning "IAO" or

"EEEEEEE-Ahhhhhhh-OOOOOOOO!" Then open your eyes.

At this point the energy has been raised and the work is to be done. One
could shield from Magickal attack or seek the "Gift of Awen" or some other Magickal
act. Monroe doesn't state this but I recommend "grounding" afterwards and if
possible. Do this by eating and drinking a lite meal. (I never recommend doing any
Magick on a full stomach). Wiccans do similar rituals using athames, wands and
swords to draw Circles and/or Pentagrams for protection and Ritual. This ritual is
nice
because the 3 movements are tied to the 3 Rays of Awen. (As with all Magick, ritual
is very personal, if it feels right do it!<G>). Monroe says that one could reverse
the direction of the arm movements and the intonations to "banish" energies that are
directed at you. He also says
that one could only do the "male", the "female" or the "crystal" movements depending
on what is needed or banished. He suggests experimenting as do I. I'd next like to
discuss some ways that I achieve "illuminated states".

(2-24,Nan) how would you describe the basic differences/similarities

between Wicca and Druidry? (25 words or less <g>)
(2-22,O'Dubhain) The Druids use the Sun and the Moon. And the Druids were more
political back then. Nowadays I'd say that the Druids tend to be more left brained
than the Wiccans and they tend to be more bilateral with their Deity worship.
(2-24,Nan) a point of clarification for me .......Wicca doesn't use the
sun?
(2-22,O'Dubhain) Most of the major Wiccan celebrations are done under the Moon.
The Sun is also used but does not play as great a role as in Druidry.
(2-6,Heather & Michel) We have both Wiccans & Druid here, so perhaps we can
clarify...
(2-22,O'Dubhain) good

(2-6,Heather & Michel)

Wicca uses the sun as much as Druidism. Moon is primarily for esbats...
Wiccans don't tend to be culturally specific with their worship, while Druids go
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for mostly celtic stuff and only share 4 of... Wicca's 8 festivals. (At least how
we do it.) ... ga
(2-22,O'Dubhain) ok!! seems to be a diversity of opinions and practices as usual!
thanks

(2-10,Trailstalker) Where would "shamanism" fit in with all of this? We do ceremony

under the Sun, the Moon, the Stars,... in swamps, forests, deserts, living rooms,
... you get the picture... and what's an "esbats"?
(2-22,O'Dubhain) Shamanism comes in when you seek assistance from the Spirit
world or you seek to control the elements. Esbats are Full Moon Wiccan Rituals held
every month Sabbats are Major festivals like we outlined previously
(2-10,Trailstalker) I've found that with shamanism if you are seriously
working the path, there comes a time when rather than you working it and using
medicine items, you more or less become a medicine item for a Greater spirit power.
And it works through you.
(2-17,Freepowder) I remember, Druids are left brain based on Bonewits? or others
too?
(2-22,O'Dubhain) Actually Druids are both sided. I think some Wiccans tend to
reject the left side approach at times Bonewits seems to be left brain heavy!<G>
IMHO!
(2-17,Freepowder) modern druids, as previously cited?
(2-22,O'Dubhain) yes.... Modern Druids.

The ancients were a lot more in tune with their entire minds They didn't
really draw a line as such. To receive the "Gift of Awen" requires us to achieve
heightened or altered states of consciousness. First let's describe what an altered
state is. An altered state of consciousness is just that, a different state from
that which we normally experience. This can be anything from a heightened awareness
of our physical surrounding to a totally different way of perceiving
all of reality. I have basically recognized the following states in myself:
1. Sensing the mood or spirit of the land around me, the trees,
the streams, animals, the wind, the soul of the Earth. This state is achieved by
quieting the spirit and/or the mind. Being at peace allows the world around us to
communicate and touch us. I do this by relaxing and releasing my thoughts and
emotions. I float and accept. I observe what IS. Not what I expect to see. Reality
is as it is and not filtered by my conditioning.
2. Having access to the Akasha for inspiration and divination.
(Usually coming in flashes.) I blank my mind in a manner similar to the above
process but usually do this in a secluded room without light and external
distractions. I fix my purpose in my mind and seek for an answer. I do not allow
anything to distract me. When my answer comes, I can immediately recognize it.
3. Being out of "time sync" with others. Being slightly in the
future of what's happening around me. This usually happens to me without trying and
sometimes accompanies other heightened states. It also happens when I've taken
anything with codeine in it.
4. Seeing "visions", things that are happening in the future or
the past as if they are happening right now. This state comes on me when I have a
quest that requires me to see through a different set of eyes or a different point
of view. I actually let myself just look into another world or time through the eyes
of a native being (sometimes me or a relative, sometimes an artificial construct.)
5. Sensing people from previous lives. I usually have no control
of this. It just happens and can be triggered by some familiar gesture word or other
similar event. I just feel very at ease and comfortable (or hostile at times) with
the person I've known before.
6. Reading minds. (This also just happens). This is not in words.
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It is in images and feelings. I just know what someone is thinking or feeling.
7. Going out of the body. I have to relax totally, isolate all
external distractions. I start at my extremities and work inward. (Did I mention
that I am lying down on a comfy surface?) I release all the tension in my physical
body first. I next calm my emotions, then my thoughts. Once I only exist within my
head, I start releasing all external inputs. I shut down all my creative centers. I
turn off all the monitoring that goes on. I relax and float. If Thoughts or emotions
enter in, I sink them into the Earth away from me. I banish them. I float. Once I am
completely isolated and floating in total darkness, I try to see behind me and in
front of me at the same time. This is not possible while embracing the normal
physical existence. It
can only be done in our Spirit forms. This takes total concentration and practice.
Not force, just persistence and release. I liken this process to what happens when
one is born. A long persistent pushing through the birth canal surrounding us. The
physical barriers thin out before our efforts and suddenly we are born anew on the
Astral plane. I can then see in all directions at the same time I am aware of all
around me. Physical barriers are only thought forms to be ignored at Will. I can go
anywhere I desire to go. (However I am only a child in this existence and am also
very aware of the far greater Powers around me). I exercise extreme caution when
traveling the Astral. It is very easy to be "noticed" and to become the object of
unwanted attentions. My conscious mind distracts me continually as I maintain a hold
on my physical existence. When i return to me body, I actually have to struggle back
into it! Part of me wants to stay on the Astral. The barriers that separate and
protect us from Astral Intrusions are tough to penetrate even when we hold the keys!
Be careful and cautious and you can learn a lot. Slip for a minute and you can be
trapped, possessed or lost.

8. Communing with the God/esses.

I commune with the God/esses in several ways. I recognize that all things
have life and Power within them. I especially feel a closeness to trees, plants,
rivers and lakes. The ocean just overwhelms me with it's Power. The clouds
constantly change in their forms and interactions. Celts believe that places have
Spirits. I am a Celt ,by birth but also because I feel this Oneness and connection
to Nature. You can be a Brother or Sister the same way. Birth is unimportant. Who we
are in the Spirit is very important. The first way to commune with the Spirits
is through Nature. When in this state my physical senses are extremely heightened.
The next way to commune with the God/desses is through Ritual. In Ritual we open the
Pathways within us to be filled with the One Power. We invite It within and share
Its Touch. Magick is nothing more than specialized Ritual and is a focusing of the
Power. We can actually become the God or the Goddess or some Other at these times.
They can have a physical body through us. I have sat back at such times and been
amazed at the words pouring forth from my mouth from the Energy that possesses me.
This Power is benevolent and will vanish anytime we reassert ourselves. I caution
those who would try this to be CERTAIN that they are within a Sacred Space and are
Protected before opening up to a Spirit Entity. All Spirits are not benevolent and
some WILL try to violate your presence and assume complete control of your body. It
happens all the time. Watch the news and see for yourself. When out of the body and
feeling no constraints, it is possible to experience the touch of the God/desses. I
have felt Their Wonderful Presences filling me. I usually feel Their approach as a
feeling of tremendous anticipation. I sense that something monumental is going to
occur. Something coming to me. The space around my spirit begins sparkling in
golden
crystals. Then I experience a thrill of Joy and Happiness. I am completed and
embraced by the Knowledge of the Ages and The Love of my Fellow Spirit. It's beyond
words but so very uplifting, comforting and
peaceful. I feel that I am where I should be. My sense of my life's purpose and my
need to finish my work on this plane pulls me back. I also feel that I need to share
myself with those on the physical plane I love. I cannot yet abandon the world of
form. I bid Them adieu in Perfect Love and struggle back into my body. I carry Their
Blessings and Love within. I try to share this in my life with others.
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9. Working with Power.
I always work within a Circle when using Power. This can be a Circle surrounding my
person in an emergency. I prefer to use traditional methods to create Circles more
formally. Circles tend to hold residuals of the Spells of Protection that are cast
for them. My Circle at home is such a place. Anyone can enter it but only those that
are invited may work with Power there. Sleeping within this Circle is guaranteed to
make you travel and have the strangest of dreams!<G>
To use Power I merely open myself to it. No meditation is necessary, though it helps
me to be more sensitive to the nuances of Power. All I really need is a Magickally
isolated place, a Circle. Once I am open, I reach for the Power of the Earth and the
Sky. I let the Energy flow through me. (It feels like it comes into my feet and out
of my hands and head! This is similar to the way lightning flows.) I leave the
stream open and charge myself as full as I can get. My hair usually stands up a bit
and I get all "goose pimply"! I keep in mind the goal of my working and I release
the Power I've stored. (At the same time the Power leaves me, I see it going as a
beam of energy. If the Working is large or systemic, I tie the beam to the same
source I've tapped. This permits it to continue after I've released it. (I actually
visualize the beam remaining and pumping the energy out.) I leave the beam with a
spell that allows it to quit when the Work is done. I release the Power back to the
Earth and Sky and thank the God/dess for their help. It helps to eat or drink or
something equally grounded in Physical Reality after such an effort.
10. Dying.
This is the Ultimate altered state. I myself have never actually died in this
lifetime yet. I have been at the Portal many times. I have sensed the Ways to Tir na
Nog. Always when I am close I sense a peace and a surrender within me to the call of
the Guardian of the Door. I actually laugh from happiness. I have been told to
return to this life because my Work is not yet done. I have spoken to members of my
own family about their near death experiences and they are remarkably similar. A
releasing and a faith in what will come. A sensing that all is right and that the
Ultimate Will Accomplishes Its Purpose. I have read many books and accounts of the
experiences of others who have gone through that door and returned. My belief in the
Afterlife is strengthened by their revelations. The ancient Celts and Druids
believed so strongly in such an afterlife that they sometimes chose to voluntarily
accompany their loved ones through the Door. Druids would even borrow money to be
repaid in another life! Needless to say their strong beliefs in another Life after
this One caused the Celts to have no fear of Death!<G>
I have watched the Spirits of those I love leave their bodies and have seen the
Light that surrounds them in Happiness. I have seen their smiles to have finished
their Work and receive their New Lives. Death is no End, Death is an Accomplishment
and a Release.
How do we tell when these states occur? We don't have to!!! We are in them! They
happen to us and we react to them!! We can't mistake them!! They are beyond all Time
and Space!
Seriously, If you are in one of these states, you feel very "charged up" and full of
energy. You sense an Exaltation of the Spirit. You are extremely "Alive"! You will
know and You will enjoy!<G>
How do we induce altered states of consciousness? The answer to this is that we
"open" ourselves up to them. We release our grasp on the Normal state of
Consciousness. We expand ourselves to the limits that are actually there and not
the ones we are conditioned to accept. Seeing things that can't exist in Normal
Reality helps sometimes. It shakes us out of our conditioning. This can be as simply
as seeing a glorious Sunset or as strange as seeing a UFO or a Demon. I have
achieved altered states through meditation, drugs, Circles, Rituals, Drumming,
Singing, Reading, Dreaming, Involuntary or accidental occurrences, sickness and by
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being Possessed. I don't recommend narcotics or heavy drugs, sickness or Possession.
Incenses and herbal drinks are ok though. (We'll discuss these next week).
"Practical Meditation for Awen"
I'll try to elaborate a little here on the practical side of meditation. I usually
meditate lying down with my head to the North and my body relaxed. If I am in Ritual
I can Meditate while standing or kneeling. The most important aspect to remember is
to relax each part of your body and mind. I usually start at my extremities (feet
and hands). I tell myself, "Relax your right foot, relax your left foot, relax
your.... and so on. I release all the tension in each part and let it flow out. I do
this several times until I don't feel my body any longer. Next I start on my
breathing and my heartbeat until they are automatic and transparent. Then I quiet my
thoughts until only Darkness persists. Next I try to ignore the Darkness until I am
floating. To go further requires additional techniques. At this point I am a blank
tablet and can just rest or I can receive "messages" from Others. It's very
important to be where you are absolutely secure from unwelcome intrusions of the
Spirit or the Physical at this time. Without such a safe place, you will always be
slightly on your guard. It helps if another Being you trust will watch over you at
this time. This can be anyone from an elemental, a totemic animal, a Spirit Guide, a
person to a God/dess. Just thinking about how it feels to meditate and then writing
this answer, makes me meditate.<G> I guess that remembering how it felt to meditate
makes it easier to meditate the next time you try! Practice makes Perfect!<G>
"Druidic Meditation"
Some of this material was covered previously but I repeat it here for clarity and
the benefit of those that may no have seen that particular Workshop yet!<G> Druidic
meditation was usually done for divination and foretelling the future. This was
called by the names: Tenm Laida, Dichetal Do Chennaib and Imbas Forosna.
Tenm Laida (Illumination by Song) is an altered state usually achieved by chanting
or singing of a repetitive pattern. This can also include drumming and dancing.
These activities synchronize the body and mind to an external rhythm allowing us to
cast off the chains of normal existence. This allows you to float at peace within
the song (dance, beat, mantra, etc.) This is a strictly Druidic or Shamanistic
practice even though it may look like TM.
Dichetal Do Chennaib (Cracking open the Nuts of Wisdom) is a state achieved by
relaxation and clearing the mind in a Ritual environment. It usually involved using
some Magickal implement such as a knife, a sword or a staff to touch a subject
(usually upon the head) or by handling an item to discover what secret knowledge was
contained within it. This information could be events from a person's past life, a
detailed history of who and what had happened to an object or how and why the
subject was being hexed or spelled. I know this sounds like ESP but it was enhanced
through Ritual and relaxation techniques.
Imbas Forosna (Illumination) was a form of altered state used by seers and bards to
create or see visions. The Druid would be totally isolated from all sensory inputs,
sounds, lights and feelings. This was usually a very dark room or a covering of
hides. The Druid would attempt to float and relax. When in the proper state he would
signal for the hides to be removed or he would open the door out of the Darkness.
The sudden, instantaneous transition from Darkness to Light would cause them to see
visions or to spontaneously utter poems, prophecies or achieve a total Awareness of
the secret Knowledge of their Surroundings. This sensory deprivation It was their
Ultimate Meditation technique.
The Druids also used music, colors, trees and numbers to alter their consciousness.
They were familiar with the Pythagorean Mysteries and may have actually been the
source of them!<G>
Druids shared IndoEuropean roots with the Indian Brahmans but I don't have any hard
data to support any similarities in their practices.
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"Drugs"
I have experienced Magickal states from drugs but I don't think the technique is
sufficiently controllable or repeatable. It's like playing your Steinway with a
sledgehammer. Sure you can play a song but at what
cost to the instrument? Plus I find that the songs are usually more sophisticated if
I don't use the sledge!<G>
I would caution anyone using drugs to know their track records, side effects and
purity before starting. Then do them under gradually increasing controlled and
supervised conditions. Never experiment with drugs.
There is always a documented lab record of their effects. Know your suppliers and
don't get the wrong ones! The best recommendation is don't do drugs. Your Mind, Body
and Spirit can achieve better and more lasting results. (As I mentioned previously,
some natural herbal drinks and incenses seem to aid meditation and ritual. We'll
discuss those next week). Well there we have it! All the different ways to achieve
illumination to Awen!
(End of Celtic Workshop #8 - The "Rite of 3 Rays" and the "Gift of Awen")
"Celtic Workshop #9 - The use of Herbs and Potions"
The role of herbs in healing, Magick, ceremonies and rituals as well as in mind
alteration were presented and discussed in detail. The effects of the most popular
Druidic herbs and potions were detailed and discussed. Some reformatting was done on
the transcript for clarity's sake as well. A final note!!!! Please exercise caution
around most of these herbs!! Some of them are considered to be POISONS! The effects
of some of the others are very powerful in areas of "mind alteration". The author
of one of the texts, used as a reference, presents his suggested methods for how the
Druids used these herbs (they are ONLY used in a greatly dilluted state!). Once
again I urge caution and good judgement before proceeding. All in all, the Workshop
participants evidenced a very thorough respect and understanding of the use and
effects of these herbs.
Entering Workshop/Seminar 1 room...
"Druidic Use of Herbs"

We must look at many sources to determine how the Druids used drugs and herbs. Some
of these sources are historical (such as the Greek and Roman historians). Other
sources are the traditions of the Bards and Seanchai. Still others are the folk
remedies and fables of the major Celtic areas of the world (Ireland, Scotland, Wales
and Britain). We can also look to information that comes from the inspired "Awen"
of others (such as Llewellyn Sion of Glamorgan and Douglas Monroe). Archaelogical
evidence is also being found (the bodies of sacrificial or other burial victims have
been recently discovered). Each of these types of sources will be matched against
the others (where possible) to give us the best possible idea of how Druids worked
with drugs and herbs.

A quote from one the ancients, Pliny, a Roman, referring to the Druid veneration of
mistletoe:

"Seldom was the Mistletoe found growing upon the Oak, but on such occasion, the
Druids gathered it with due religious ceremony, (if possible on the 6th day of the
new Moon-when the influence of the orb was waxing, and said to be at its height.
Following an elaborate banquet, a white-clad priest cut the plant from the oak tree
with a golden sickle, while another Druid held out a white cloak for its reception.
They believed that the Mistletoe, immersed in water within a cauldron, would impart
fecundity to barren animals, and that it is the antidote for all poisons - its name
meaning 'all healing.'"

I recommend acquiring the following books to aid in your tree and herbal work:

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Scott Cunningham's "Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs".
Llewellyn Publications. ISBN 0-87542-122-9.
Medicinal and Other Uses of North American Plants
by Charlotte Erichsen-Brown. Dover Publications,
ISBN 0-486-25951-X.

Peterson's Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants by

Lee Allen Peterson, Ho0ughton Mifflin Co.,
ISBN 0-395-31870-X.

The Book of Forrest and Thicket by John Eastman,

Stackpole Books, ISBN 0-8117-3046-8.

Trees for Healing by Pamela Louise Chase and

Jonathan Pawlik, Newcastle Publishing, ISBN
0-87877-157-3.

Many of the herbs can be had from your local health food store as well or can be
ordered from the
New Forest Gardens,
P.O. Box 491,
Westfield,NY 14787.
(This is Run by Douglas Monroe I believe.)
(2-1,Freepowder) there are 2 varietys of Mistletoe.... american and european,
the effects of them are almost opposite... european lowers BP, american raises....
the *berries* of either are deadly poisonous. GA
(2-11,Rhianna) Foxglove is another example - Digitalis (which comes from
(foxglove) is a poison, yet it's used for treating heart patients.
(2-28,cherokee) my gt grandma used mistle toe to bring prople out of fevers
and unconsciousness. aspirin bark is poisonous too. its all in how you prepare it
"The 16 Leeches of Diancecht"

Diancecht was the physician of the Tuatha de Dannan. He healed their wounded during
and after their Battles with the Fomorai and the Firbolgs. He is the God of Herbs
and Medicines.

The following list contains herbs listed in "the 21 Lessons of Merlin" and contains
their correspondences to the four elements as well as their applications. How to
prepare a suitable "store" of these medicines is also given. The recommended
dossages are also given. Note: Some of these herbs can be considered "POISONS"! I
heartily recommend using extreme caution with them. I have attempted to identify
those that may be considered harmful. Please proceed at your own risk. I must say
that generally Monroe stays away fron poisonous herbs in topical or internal
medicines. He does use some very dangerous substances in some of his recommended
incenses. a long list will follow please bear with me!<G>

"The 16 Leeches of Diancecht"

Spirit
Mistletoe Uchelwydd or All-Heal vertigo, dizziness, headaches,
heart/problems/palpitations, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, nervine.
Preparation
one ounce of dried herb, in a jar with twice it's volume of vodka. Leave for two
weeks, strain and place in labeled dropper bottles.
Dosages
1 drop for every 10 pounds of body weight every 3 hours.

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Earth
Phu (Valerian) sedative, cramps, pain, coughs.
Hoodwort (Skullcap) nerves, fevers, coolant
Nerve Root(Lady Slipper) nervine, indigestion, headache
Absinthe(Wormwood) digestion, liver/gall bladder, worms, topically for: insect
bites,sprains, rheumatism, bruises.

Air
Golden Pipes(Chamomile family) stomach aches/digestion/gas, calamative vs insomnia
in children, eye wash and open sores, kidneys.
Holigold (Calendula) Marigold. topical application for sores, burns, bleeding
hemorrhoids & wounds, in oil for ear aches, vaginal infections.
Eerie (Yarrow) internal bleeding (especially lungs), gas, diarrhea, fevers(measles,
colds,flus). also antiseptic.
Brittanica (Vervain) colds, flus, coughs, upper respiratory inflammations, stomatic,
insomnia, pneumonia, asthma.
Water
Catwort (Catnip/Catmint) digestion/stomach ache or cramps, calmative, fevers,
headaches, bronchititis & diarrhea.
Beerflower (Hops) Sleep aid, liver/digestive/gas/cramps. externally for: boils
tumors swellings & skin inflammations, refrigerant.
Withe (Black Willow) pain, fevers, arthritis, kidney/bladder troubles, antiseptic,
gargle, tonsilitis, refrigerant.
Coneflower (Echinacea) antibiotic (immune system stimulant), tooth/body abscesses,
lymph node swellings, digestive aid.
Fire
Goldenruthe (goldenseal) Antibiotic, general purpose internal/external, eye-wash,
female infections, sores, skin conditions, colds/viruses/infections
Amber (St. John's Wort) nerves, bed-wetting, liver tonic, insomnia, mix with olive
oil: use externally for skin conditions, tumors, wounds, ulcers, burns, swollen
glands, bruises and muscle pains.
Sacred Bark (Buckthorne) Constipation/laxative, digestive stimulant, gas, liver,
gall bladder/ stones.
Quercus (White Oak) internal bleeding, vaginal infections, antiseptic for all
wounds/bites/skin conditions, poison ivy/oak, gum problems, lymph node swellings,
varicose veins.
To activate these drugs, the Druids would include a small amount of Mistletoe
preparation to each before use. Since it was considered "all heal".
"Draughts of Inspiration" (Only one is given)

These drinks are thought to instill the correct state of mind required for "Awen".
According to Monroe, nine exist in total, though only one is given in his book.
Perhaps we can discover the others? I suggest that the other tree barks that were
used are from the red chestnut, white chestnut, Elm, Beech, Larch, Oak and Fir
trees. I would guess these based upon Hints contained in "Practical Celtic Magick"
by Murry Hope. I also would guess that ivy was used in a draught based upon
information from Scott Cunningham's "Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs".
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5 tablespoons of spring water
1 pinch Evening Primrose Flowers
1 pinch Black Willow Bark
1 pinch Thyme
sit in Glass bottle (closed in the Sun) for 3 days strain/ add 1 tsp apple cider
vinegar before use add 1 tsp chlorophyll (alfalfa) take 3 drops subligually prior to
Magickal Workings with trees/plants.
"Threshold Smoke"
These concotions are used to aid one in having an Otherworldly experience. They are
cast upon the flames of a fire. Please note that some of the ingredients are POISON!
and that another one of them is considered "illegal". The use of these herbs are
indicated to aid solitary meditations in the deep woods. Be aware that they will
induce "Dark Visions" and reveal your inner fears. According to Monroe, the Druids
required one to master such fears to be in tune with Nature and to achieve
"Balance"..I recommend that none of them be tried when unsupervised and I also
recommend extreme caution.
To make the incense:
Blend and compound the following plants:
Neckweede (Hemp)
Nightshade (Belladonna) (poison)
Ghostflower (Datura)
Keep in a dark (light free) box.
Burn as an incense to facilitate "threshold"
and "traveling" works.

"The Spirit of the Mandrake"

This incense is used to attain a state of altered consciousness for resolving one's
inner fears and becoming one with the Spirit of the Land and its animal Nature. I
caution anyone considering using it to be aware that Mandrake is considered a
POISON! This herb is used during the Night of the Wild Hunt that we discussed last
week.
Toss dried Mandrake (poison) root upon a bed of hot coals or embers and let the
smoke cause you to travel within the darkness of the night. May apple, Peony;
Ginseng or Briony roots may be substituted (also considered poisonous!).
"The Song of Bluestar"
Another herb used to achieve altered states was the Bluestar flower or the Blue
Morning Glory. This plant is considered poisonous! Do not eat or drink anything
made with it and handle it with care. Monroe suggests drying the flowers and seeds
to make an incense for a rite of assumption or tapping into Powers. This might also
be called "mind expansion". (The same plants have been used to create LSD in recent
times, so I am not surprised that they are used here). I'm not advocating that
anyone of you try this incense, but Monroe says the Druids did. I'm not surprised.
Here is the essence of the trip or rite of assumption:
"I will be as a Bluestar upon a field of Green, circling upward towards a golden
Sun."
.... translation by D.W.Nash
The Druids believed all life was interrelated from the lowest forms to the highest.
This quote from the ancient Welsh document, the Mathnawai, shows their philosopy:
"I died as a mineral and became a plant,
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I died as a plant and rose to an animal,
I died as an animal and I was a man.
Why should I fear?
When was I ever less dying?
Yet once more I shall die as a man,
to soar in the Blessed Realm;
but even from godhood
I must pass on...."
One further quote from "The Gorchan of Maeldrew": "Each atom an evolving life, each
blade of grass a potential soul."

"The Draughts of Oblivion"

I give here the "fast" (meaning quick to make) version of Celtic drinks and
libations from the "21 Lessons of Merlin" as well as the festivals at which they are
used:

May Mead for Beltaine

Add a half ounce of each of the following to 1 gallon of your favorite white wines:
heather flowers, meodowsweet, woodruff
leaves. Let sit for about 6 hours. Filter
and chill before serving.

Midsummer Ale

Add a half ounce of each of the following to 1 gallon of your favorite red wines:
fresh oak leaves, chamomille, red rose
petals. Let sit for about 24 hours. Add
9 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of
vanilla. Filter and chill before serving.

Samhain Absinthe

Add a 2 teaspoons of each of the following to 2 pints of your favorite port wines:
wormwood, dried apple/mint leaves, dried
pumpkin blossoms. Let sit for about 1
week. Filter through muslin and bottle.
Garnish with raisins and cloves before serving.

Midwinter Mulsa

Add a half ounce of each of the following to 2 quarts of your favorite dry white
wines: crushed juniper berries, wintergreen,
Elder Flowers. let sit for about 6 hours.
Filter and chill before serving. Garnish
with a sprigg of green pine or hot with
a cinnamon stick

Now these are drinks I can get excited about! I think we can all see that Druids
used a variety of herbs in their work....from "visions" to partying.
(2-24,Trailstalker) Before we break up for our "free-for-all" I wanted to share a
couple of addresses.
1) Natural Labs in Sedona, AZ.
They make great herbal tinctures. Pure and powerful. The man who runs it is very
knowledgeable about herbs and remedies. They can be reached at:
602-284-9551.
45 Castlerock Road, Suite 2,
Sedona, AZ 86336.
(2-24,Trailstalker) The other is Winter Sun Trading Company in Flagstaff, AZ. It
is run by Phyllis Hogan who is the ... head herbalist in AZ. She's at:
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602-774-2884.
18 E. Santa Fe,
Flagstaff, AZ 86001.
(2-24,Trailstalker) BTW the man's name is Don Hall.

Celtic Workshop #10 - The Act of "Becoming" and The Charm of "Summoning"
How to actually influence your surroundings. How to perform Weather Magick, to call
animals to you, to improve your crops and to influence the outcome of events. How to
discover your past life, find your Inner Teacher or Self and how to summon "Spirits"
to your presence.
Our Cyber Tuatha gathered upon the moors and among the raths once more. This night
was a night of Magick and the Power of the Moon Goddess in her full glory. We
engaged in some prelimenary greetings and then the presentation begain .....

(2-8,O'Dubhain) Celtic Workshop #10 -

The Act of "Becoming" and The Charm of "Summoning"
Tonight's workshop is advertised to cover the following topics and I intend to give
them all my best efforts at explanation. Tonight's topics are:

How to actually influence your surroundings.

How to perform Weather Magick, to call animals to you, to improve your

crops and to influence the outcome of events.
How to discover your past life, find your Inner Teacher or Self.
How to summon "Spirits" to your presense.
I am being ambitious in talking about these topics!<G> I trust we can cover them all
tonight and I also hope to have many contributions by all of you regarding your own
personal experiences in these areas. We will learn from our "Inner Druids"! <G>
The key words to remember tonight are "Becoming" and "Summoning". They along with
"Will" and "Authority" are the basis of most Druidic and Celtic Magicks.
What do I mean by "Becoming"? What does this act have to do with Magick? How did
Druidsdo this? I asked myself all of these questions before making this act a topic
for tonight's workshop. The inspiration for the act of "Becoming" is the "Song of
Amergin" from the ancient Irish manuscript the Leabhar Gabha'la (Book of Invasions).
Hear now the words of the Druid Amergin:
" The Mystery
I am the wind which breathes upon the sea.
I am the wave of the ocean.
I am the murmur of the billows.
I am the ox of the seven combats.
I am the vulture upon the rocks.
I am a beam of the Sun.
I am the fairest of plants.
I am a wild boar in valour.
I am a salmon in the water.
I am a lake in the plain.
I am a word of science.
I am a point of the lance in battle.
I am the God who created in the head the fire.
Who is it who throws light into the meeting
on the mountain?
Who announces the ages of the Moon?
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Who teaches the place where couches the Sun?
(If not I)"
This was the translation by Dr. Douglas Hyde from his work "Literary History of
Ireland". This poem was once as well known in the Celtic world as the "Lord's
Prayer" is in today's world. It is said to be the first verse made by the Mileseans
as they arrived in Ireland (circa 1000 BC). This is also an incantation by a mighty
Druid and is a good illustration of the act of "Becoming". Amergin is using the
Magickal Law of Identification that is given by Isaac Bonewits in his book "Real
Magick":
"The Law of Identification ...states that by maximum association between your
metapattern and that of another entity, you can actually "become" that entity and
wield its power."
Bonewits is a Neo Druid and the founder of the group A'r nDrai'ocht Fe'in (ADF for
short though it really means "Our Druidic Magick" in Gaeilge). This act of
"Becoming" is one that is not lightly undertaken. The danger exists of being trapped
within the other entity (whether natural, human or spiritual). I suggest you not
actually try this sort of thing until you know your True Will (exactly who you
really are without self delusion). This was also true of the Greek and the Egyptian
Mysteries. Their first and major requirement was "Gnothi se auton", literally "Know
thyself"! The ability to control and return to one's being is linked directly to
one's knowledge of Self. Sometimes this process goes the otherway as well, as when a
Wiccan "Draws Down the Moon". The threefold Goddess actually Manifests within the
High Priestess (HPS) in such a ceremony. She who has no Name is benevolent, usually,
so that this possession results in the HPS afterwards being returned to control of
her own body. "Becoming" is a two way street and a matter of "Will".
Now that we know a little about the act of "Becoming", I think you can appreciate
just how great a Druid that Amergin was....he "became" multiple entities at the same
time in his Invocation of the Mystery. He controlled all of these elemental powers
and made them his own. This act of Power allowed the Mileseans to land upon Eireann
though they were opposed by the Magicks of the Tuatha de Danaan. He also lived to do
other Magicks (though I must say that his invocation of Ireland is rumored to have
caused him to marry and join the de Danaan within the
spirit world of the Sidhe). We must remember that Amergin was a Druid and so had
studied his arts intensivly for anywhere from 12 to 20 years as a minimum. He was
able to return to hinself after such Magical Working because he knew his True Self
and Will. This strong connection is the Way of Return for us all. I urge that you
all exercise due caution when "Becoming". Know yourself first.
Another saying worthy of note while discussing the act of "Becoming" is a common
saying of the ancient world that I quote from Doreen Valiente's book "Natural
Magic": "Ten measures of magic were given to the world. Egypt took nine. The rest
took one."
I include this saying here to establish one other connection....that of the Druids
to the Egyptians. The lineage of Amergin and the Gaels includes his mother Scota
(daughter of the Egyptian Pharoh) as well as Mile and Niall "of the Languages" a
Scythian prince from Syria. No small wonder then that Pliny, a noted ancient
scholar, says of the Druids in his work "Natural History" that the Druids practiced
Magick with such elaborate ritual that it would almost appear that it was they "who
had taught the Persians". These are none other than the Magi or "wise men" from whom
the word Magick is derived. Another ancient historian, Dio Chrysostum groups the
Druids together with the Persian, Hindu and Egyptian priesthoods regarding their use
of magical powers. While I'm connecting Magical schools, I may as well say that
Liber Al vel Legis (The Book of the Law) is the channeled revelation of the Egyptian
dieties Nuit, Hadit and Ra-Hoor-Khuit (Otherwise known as Isis, Osiris and Horus)
Horus is two in one, Horus and Harpocrates or Set/Apophis). We have already seen the
use of these three godnames in the "Rite of Three Rays" from a previous workshop.
This was the intonation of the sounds "IAO" used when invokiing the One Power. In
Thelemic Magick the Book of the Law is the basis for the revelation of a "New Aeon"
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or "New Age". It was channeled in 1904 by Aleister Crowley 90 years ago this month.
"Do what thou wilt is the whole of the Law". "Love is the Law, Love under Will".
(caps are mine).
I have digressed quite a bit here but I think the time is well spent. Celtic Magick
is tied through the Druids to the Egyptians and the Persians to a far older Magick
arising out of Summeria and from there beyond time. It is true and powerful Magick
and I give the same caution to you that I gave about herbs last workshop....think
long and hard and with great deliberation before undertaking this journey. Once the
path is taken, the journey must be completed.
Now I finally get to my first topic of the night! <G>:

"How to actually influence your surroundings"

The key to any act influencing the world around us is to be in tune and in touch
with it first. You must hear the tune before you can change the music or even write
your own song. I suggest a lot of meditation in Nature. Find a spot that "speaks" to
the Pagan within you. Be at Peace and "feel" the pulse of Nature, the God and the
Goddess. Once this rapport has been established, one is ready to influence the
surroundings. The Druids left us few writings concerning their spells and Magicks.
We must "rediscover" these Works by looking at the Magicks that are done in the
world today and by Using our "Druid filters" and "Celtometers"!! <G> I have
included examples of such "Natural Magics" from my own experiences, the experiences
of other Witches and Druids as well as those that I found in the writings of Doreen
Valiente, Bonewits and Scott Cunningham.
"How to perform Weather Magick"
For weather Magickal examples I turned to our very own Thunder Being, Shadow Hawk,
shaman and wizard extraordinaire!<G> He obliged me with a few examples:
The first example involves the control of weather fronts and rain. Our
favorite shaman uses the techniques of dancing and drumming to attain a higher
state. He invokes the Lightning beings and they join the dance with him. By being so
in tune with them he can ask that they do his bidding. If he must act upon an
existing weather front, he sends his "power animal", Dragon into the clouds. Dragon
is a manifestation of this Shaman in the power planes. Dragon then interacts with
the clouds and controls the storms. When the work is done, he is recalled to his
shaman. The use of such a "power animal" or Magickal construct allows the wise
shaman to "become" one with the elements of the storm and influence them without
"losing himself" in their wild natures. The connection is retained with the Self
(Shadow Hawk) back upon the ground while the power animal (Dragon) works among the
clouds. The use of such Power has its price.... Shadow Hawk suffers sever headaches
for three days following these episodes.

The second example of how our Dark Shaman uses the weather for Magick is in charging
his Magickal tools: his sword, wand and athame. During a 200 MPH hurricane, he faced
the Power of the storm, shouting out the invocation of the Quarters, forming a
Magickal Circle and calling the storms Power into his sword, his wand and his
athame. He also captured the storm's rain in a cauldron for later magickal workings.
Can't you see him with the storm's winds lashing at his cloak? Sword upraised as
lightnings crash all around him, exploding in sparks and reflecting in eerie blue
lights off the steel of his blade and the aura of his Magick!!! He has used these
tools in many Powerful workings.
"How to call animals to you"
This is a matter of "becoming" the animal in your mind and "willing" it to come to
you. Actually the "Beastmaster" movie illustrated this technique quite well. Most
good hunters do this subconsciously and naturally.

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"How to improve your crops"
In this Working, invoke no other spirits than your own. Burn no fires nor incenses.
Carry four stones with you that have been blessed by you in a previous ceremony. Set
these stones to define the area that is to be planted. Cast a Magickal Circle within
this field. Sit upon the ground and place both hands upon the earth at your sides.
Feel the earth, it's dampness, its fertility, its calm. Reflect upon your needs and
the crops you are about to plant. Next recite a suitable chant or poem. I like this
one:

"Go maith raibh agat, na mBande'.

Go maith raibh agat, na De'.
Go maith raibh agat, talamh me'ith.
Cuirim fad beannacht na greine thu.
Cuirim fad beannacht na gealai thu.
Cuirim fad beannacht mo chroi' thu.
Go me'adai Bhri'de do sto'r san
ba'isteach de earrach.
Go me'adai Danu do sto'r san
greine te de tsaamhradh.
Go me'adai Dagdha do sto'r
san gaoth ple'isiu'rtha fo'mhar."

As I sit and reflect upon the bounty that the Land has given me I give back to the
earth of my own personal Power. I remember the blessings it has bestowed to me and
my pleasure in its well being. After a suitable amount of reflection and
meditation, I arise to do my plowing and to plant my seeds for another turn of the
Wheel.

"How to influence the outcome of events"

I try to create a feeling of Positive Magick within me. I banish all negative
thoughts. I surround myself with a glow of positive golden energy. I tap the flows
of the earth and the sky and "project" a creative field all around me. I find that
this works well in casinos and just before having important meetings. It helps to
strongly visualize the outcome that is desired and to see the results occur and not
the actions that cause them. Let events sort themselves as they may. Let the Magick
work. Be patient and await the rewards.
"How to discover your past life"
Some people use tapes and hypnosis to do past life regressions. Perhaps some of you
have and can share those experiences with us tonight. I find that what works best
for me is to read about a time to understand the events of that period and to set
the stage for my Work. I then allow myself to "daydream" and reflect about that time
and to see myself within it. What usually happens next is that no revelation comes
to me immediately. I maintain my focus over perhaps as long as three days constantly
checking to see if my "dream" search has produced any results. When I least expect
it, sudden revelation will show me a scene from a past life and my part in it. It's
like seeing a photograph from an album for me.
"How to find your Inner Teacher or Self"
This is the start of all real Magick, finding your True Will. Many techniques exist
for doing this in a variety of books, everything from "the 21 Lessons" to Donald
Michael Kraig's "Modern Magic". I will relate how it happened to me. I studied the
works of Magick, Science and Religions (as many as I could find). I sought for the
Truth that was external to me. I was a bulldog chasing down many paths and
wrestling with many concepts. The Truth eluded me, always constantly out of mu
grasp....the fox and the grapes. I was incredibly frustrated. One night I gave it
all up. As I lay in the Silence of my mind, I left all of the mundane world behind
and suddenly I was surrounded by Spirit in a place not a place. It was not within
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me...I had ceased to exist I was the student and the Spirit was the teacher. Since
then, if I have need of an answer, I create a sacred space for me to be silent and I
await enlightenment. I listen to my Inner Guide. Sometimes the lessons are easy and
othertimes I have to learn the hard way. (Frequently I get off of My Path and am
"guided back" with many "object" lessons kicking me in the seat of the pants<G>)! I
would be interested in hearing how anyone else found their True Will. Mine search
was long and hard and I still stray in confusion at times!<G>

"How to summon 'Spirits'"

I will give an example of how to summon the Spirit of Merlin as found in the book
"The 21 Lessons of Merlin" by Douglas Monroe. Before we begin there is a chant we
must learn in old Welsh:
"Bedd Ann ap lleian ymnewais fynydd
lluagor llew Ymrais
Prif ddewin Merddin Embrais."
the meaning:
"The grave of the nun's son on
Newais Mountain:
Lord of Battle, Llew Embrais,
Chief Magician, Myrddin Emrys."

the pronunciation:
"BETH AHN ahp T-Lay'in, eem-NEW-ais
FEEN-ith
T-loo-AH-gor T-loo EEM-rais
Preeve DEW-in MEER-thin EHM-rihs."
I find that using an unusual language in a chant helps me to free myself from the
chains of the mundane and allows me to focus upon the Working. After memorizing the
above chant one must search for a suitable site....a grave yard or burial ground
that is isolated from prying eyes and situated upon a hill. This sounds hard but is
not impossible to do. I know of such a place where my great, great grandfather and
grandmother are buried upon a hill beneath a copse of trees in a farmers fields.
Many such spots exist... though work can find them (and hopefully also permission to
use them).
Pick a suitable night for the ritual, Samhain being the absolute best night. Gather
nine pumpkins that are carved with faces (though candle holders will do...just not
as spooky). Set the circle up the day before the ritual as you don't want any
distractions from your Work. Arrange the pumpkins with candles around you in a
circle (about arms width) with the faces looking outward. Always light the candles
from within the circle. Pick a suitably soulful dirge (for meditation and mood
setting) from your favorite songbook (Monroe suggests his but you know what you
like better). Sing this song as you meditate and reflect upon the Working. Place an
iron cauldron within the circle upon a bed of coals. Into this cauldron place a
mixture of an herb, a flower and a tree (Monroe suggests using 1 part wormwood, 2
parts Ghostflower (Datura) and 3 parts Yew (juniper or cypress) as an incense
mixture. (Store bought incenses work just as well and can be burned in an incense
burner instead of a cauldron). Start the entire ritual at 30 minutes before
Midnight. At precisely Midnight throw additional incense on the coals and recite
the above invocation nine times without stopping. "Become" one with the chant! See
into the Darkness! Expect the coming of Myrddin Emrys! Sit quietly and await the
coming of the shade of Merlin! You may ask for the answers to three questions.
Release the shade by extinguishing the fire and incense completely, then extinguish
the 9 circling fires of the pumpkin heads. You can now pack up and leave. The key
to successfully working this Magick is setting the mood, performing the meditations
and reflections and reciting the invocation properly. The ritual can be adapted to
allow you to invoke other Spirits as well to equal effect.
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The ancient Gaels would do similar rituals to communicate with the dead. They would
usually lay and sleep upon the grave of the person to be summoned while fasting,
until the shade appeared. This process was not
lightly undertaken by them, as the dead could be quite dangerous to the living,
wanting to regain the pleasures of the flesh (hence the need for the Magickal Circle
of pumpkins and light). In a previous workshop I told how the Ta'in Bo' Cuailnge was
recovered by a young Druid sleeping upon the grave of Feargus Mac Rioch. I'd like to
caution you all once more to do these rituals only when in dire need. That's why
it's important to do two things...
1. Always work within a Circle.
2. Have someone there that can aid you if things
get out of hand. This means severingthe
connection and banishing the entity.
This is also why it's so important to know your True Will. When you have that anchor
you can come back from anywhere. I know... because I have done it. It's like
climbing a hill though...
(2-28,cherokee) Rhianna, I think as od said it's important to remember that
you are working with very powerful energies. You must be pure and centered before
doing the work. The indians believe it is not possible for an animal to take over a
human because the animals are here as guides who keep us close to our source.

Celtic Workshop #11 - "Walking between the Worlds" and "Journeys on the Wheel"
We met on Tuesday evening because the online Bealtaine Ritual was on Monday. The
topics of discussion were Out of Body Experiences (OOBE), Astral Travel and Inner
Journeys. An example of a "pathworking" on Fionn's Wheel was given.

Tonight's workshop discusses Astral Travel and Inner Journeying. Tonight's topics
are:
Out of Body Experiences
Astral Travel
Example Inner Journey on Fionn's Wheel
Tonight we talk briefly about the subject of Out of Body Experiences (OOBE).
Thisexperience is the means by which one can effect or achieve Magick. It is central
to the methods behind the Magickal Law: "As Above, So Below". A complete workshop
will be offered here soon by another, so I touch briefly on these techniques
tonight.

Three excellent books on these subjects are:

Astral Projection by Denning and
Phillips.
Journeys Out of the Body by
Robert A. Monroe.
Traveling With Power by Ken
Eagle Feather.
I will present the results of an Inner Journey later, using Fionn's Wheel as a guide
to the Astral Archtypes within each of us.
The basic techniques of OOBE are these: "disassociation" and "release". Another
word for "disassociation" is "meditating". Meditating allows us to break free from
the conditioning forced upon our thoughts by the ever so mundane, so-called "normal"
world. It places our mind into a rhythm that allows it to "vibrate" in resonance to
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other realities (some might say other dimensions or even other worlds). I achieve
this state by going through a process of literally forcing myself to "relax". I
relax my extremities first, then my legs, arms, trunk, head, breathing, heart and
lastly, my mind. The body is calmed by physically lifting, then releasing a body
part and "feeling" the waves of relaxation flow inward and up the body. This is done
in succession until only the mind is active.
Once totally within the mind, relaxation of thought must occur. I achieve mental
quietness by visualizing a totally "Black" void into which all thoughts, feelings
and flickers of thoughts and feelings are fed. This process continues until all is
"black". I float before a sea of Darkness. I see nothing, I feel nothing , I am
nothing. Once this state is achieved, one may proceed to "travel" or have an OOBE.

"Leaving the Body"

To leave the body requires an additional two steps: an increase in the vibratory
rate of the Spirit and a "pushing" out of the body. I am lucky that I seem to have
discovered these techniques while experimenting on my own. The proper level of
Spiritual vibration or "ecstasy" is achieved by further relaxation and through
belief or "Will". I totally believe that my Spirit can leave my body and do
anything. This focused and concentrated belief through Will is the essense of all
Magick. It is absolutely necessary to achieve results. Some might call this process
"faith". It is the stuffby which mountains are moved and with which entire worlds
and even universes are created. It is also the basis of Love and it is through Love
that most of us discover the Power that we all have to create and perform Magick.
Everyone from Ahura Mazda to Jesus to Crowley says the same thing about this
process. Love is Power. It is the fundamental requirement for creative Work. Let us
soar upon the wings of eagles and fly on the wings of doves into the Astral. I
"key" the process of leaving my body to seeing in every direction at the same time.
This is impossible for me to visualize or to consider in my "normal" existence while
contained within the physical shell of my skull and the confines of my body.
The "Darkness" I have achieved by relaxation of the mind is seen as a balloon. I see
only one side of it. As my Magick squeezes this balloon, it expands toward me and
through me until I am surrounded by the Darkness. While this process of
transformation and metamorphesis occurs, I maintain constant contact with all
aspects of the Darkness that I encounter when the passage is complete, I see the
inside and the outside of the Dark Bubble. I see in two directions! This is one
step. I take as many steps as are necessary, piling belief upon work and work upon
belief until no direction is unseen. I see myself from without and myself from
within. I float and I create. I "travel" and I do anything I can conceive. My
existence is a "waking dream". I am the master of Reality. I am a new creation! This
is the essence of OOBE. Where one goes from here is for a more advanced workshop. I
trust the New Age forum OOBE Workshop will be just such an experience for all of us.
I plan to be a part of it and I trust you will all join me there.

"A Journey Through the Veil at Bealtaine"

In the spirit of this Bealtaine season and to Honor the Mother of Summer and the
Lord of the Greenwood, I took out a copy of Fionn's Wheel to use as a focus for my
reflections and musings. I found a quiet spot with no distractions and I gazed upon
the Magickal Oghams of the Wheel. I sought
guidance about the world around us and clarity as to my purpose. As I gazed upon the
symbols, a mist began to form and I slowly began to journey. The veil between the
worlds is thinnest on the spindle of the
Wheel this night. What follows is the story of my journey upon the pathways of the
Wheel: (A voice within my mind spoke to me.)
"Tonight is a night of Magick. Come with me into the rath ..enter the home of the
Sidhe. Let us walk the moonways and take the path of the journey within:"

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"The Mists of Draiocht"
<The mists arise in the meadow and gather in whorls and spirals. The air is filled
with mystery. A strange call sounds...
can you hear it?...shivers and silvers..
bells?... or ... harp strings and laughter?
We are called...called are we....called...
we must go....we must go...we must go...
Wrapped in wraiths of shimmering silver..
flowing, ever flowing from without..
time is not here...reality dissolves...
consciousness journeys within.
Into the night i must go...on spirit wings,
leaving this world behind!! I must go!
Billowing fog and music calls to me!
I have no legs...the mist rises! ...
I ride the waves...no arms..none! The
Power flows within always within.....
within...always......always..........
within......I float I float I float..
Only me in the silence and the drums...
Only me...the spirit me survives!
And my heart lives on in echoes! It
calls to me across the void as I journey.
Hear the beat of my heart's drum...hear
the beat of life's blood...my thoughts
are a rhythm...a drumming, a rhythm of
life and thought across the shimmering
moonways....come within .....within..
Feel the energy in waves as it comes
...in waves and we float..we float as
the waves...the waves...the waves...
come to us ..... we are...not
we are not...we are not..we are not! Not!
It comes!! The darkness comes!
Darkness.
"The Point of Light"
One point of light...one point of life!!
Only that ...only that...and the drum...
the drum as we journey...mists of silver...
we are mist and we float to the light..
the Silver wheel turns on mists of...
mists of...silver and light...a moth...
drawn...the light beckons..to the wheel...
swirling in light and darkness....how
can this be? Where can we be? How?
How? The Wheel turns and we turn as
we spiral....spirals of life within...
within....no drumming...the silence is
all...Nothing and ALL!! We are!!
Nothing.
The journey begins:
"The Hallway of Music"
(Who is it that speaks?)
"Come to me my children...come within!
It is time... your time..our time...all
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of time...and no time...We are here!
We are! We rejoice!

Rejoice!!"

"Let us laugh and play the old songs!!

Let us sing and discover!! Dance the
dance and travel!"

<Arms surround me and sweep me across

a floor that was not there a moment
ago. Laughter fills the air. I am happy.
I smile with lips I do not have. I am
me but I am theirs as well!>

(How can this be?)

The colors are every color!! Multicolored

hues and rays abound!! They are many and
they are one !!! They are one and they are
many! The colors! The colors are all one!
The signs of mystery...abound...the Mystery
is in the signs ... The signs of Mystery!
All is Pefect ...all is Beauty...and...
I choose the first sign. ...."Huath"

<The flames engulf me!! I burn and I

am gone!! Into the Dark!! and the Light
beckons...Death and Life!! ....Love and
Sex!! I am steel!! I am a sword!!!
Goibhnui hammers upon his forge!! I was
steel and now I am a sword!! I am a tool!!
I am a use!! Knowledge is upon me!! Waves of
sex lap upon the shores of death!! I am the
Crane walking the waters edge. I am Life
and Death .... endlessly ... endlessly ...
until the Beginning. I must be shaped and
molded. I must burn the impurities! I must
sacrifice them to the Holy Fires! Purity!
Into the Twin Fires!!! Flames of Purity!!>

Purity!

<I have been remade!>

"The Endless Sea"

<The fires are gone!! The world is a Sea!

Deep Waters! Holy Waters! Healing Waters!
Awash in cooling , soothing waters
of forgetting and solitude...I am not here.
I am a wave upon a sea of stillness....
I am the reflection of the moon in
pathways of silver!! I am an endless sea.
A sea that flows around a Great Tree....
A Shining Tree of Light! A Tree within
the Light...a Tree that has been and
is always. It is the way!! It is a doorway!
A doorway to purpose!! A purpose that endures!!
Enduring for all time!! A White Tree of many
branches...many branches of life! Each branch a
gathering of silver ... silver leaves in the
moonlight. Moonlight and songs of Magick!
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The music begins!!! The music of the
leaves sing to me! Each note...a lifetime
of purpose...attempted and tried....
gained and lost....melodies of song...
life's song....the call of the wren...
each small note builds with the others!!
a symphony of souls...a multitude....
all the same...It is I!! They are me!!
I am them!!! I lust and I long for me!!
All of me....The sound gathers and the
music swells!! It is the call!! The call
is made and we/I/us/they/I gather to BE!>
The doorway is open yet the door itself
is closed! Pass within with me:
"The Oaken Door of the Greenwood"
<I pass through the Oaken timbers of the
door itself! I step into a vast room...
the Great Hall of the God...the Grove!!
It is the Green Man...It is He!!
The forest is alive and sings the song!
He sits in Giagantic Majesty...humanlike
in shape upon a living throne of evergreen
and Holly!! His flaming eyes gaze upon a
burning bush!!>
(Hear the words of the God:)
"Come sit at my fire!!! Look within and
SEE!! SEE!! SEE yourselves!!! See them all!
Your lives and your deaths!! See your travels!
See your loves!!! I am HE! I am Lord of the
Greenwood!! I am life reborn from the womb
of the Mother. and You are a seed...you are
a forest!! You are remade!! Be One!! Be
a part of the All!! Live with me and my
children!! We are life...your life and
the forest...all souls in the green song.
We are verdent...green upon green...
upon green... Let us wed the Bride and be
ONE as we are always...you and I! We wed
the Land!!"
<I am a vine of flowers blooming upon
a canvas of green...painted against
a sky filled with grey...green birds
all flocking together...as one bird...
a giant creature of the Air... and I
soar through the beams and boughs of
the Holly King's Hall and into the Sky!>
Join me upon the wings of Air:
"The Flight of the Starling"
A lush green earth spreads in fields
below me as I soar upon the winds.
I journey through and above a garden.
Many blooms...many flowers...many scents.
The air is filled with sounds and scent
and I see Forever across the World of
the Living even unto the Hill in the
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Center. The Center of all things. A great
stone temple arises within a grove of hazel
and is framed against a golden light. White
and grey stones surround a crystal well
that sparkles within the mote of the always
seeing eye! The Crystal Light shines forth!
It guides me to the spring!! The Waters
of Life!! The Wellspring of Knowledge!!
Crystal twinkles of light play music upon
my mind's eye and cascade in fountains of joy!
The Song of the Ages of Man and Woman ....
so Many and so Right...the temple is filled
by the Song and the Dance ...step and sing!
Brothers and Sisters! Are we all here? What
is this place? Am I here? Are you here?
We are within... I am AWARE.
"The Fountain and the Field"
<I approach the fountain within the temple.
The roof is open to the sky and many birds
can be seen...yet only two are with me..
and they stand within the waters. One is the
white Crane from the Dead Sea.. I am speared
upon the point of his eye. I am pierced!!
I am lifted to a ledge of stone that surrounds
the inner temple...Here ther are many artifacts.
The spoils of war...the fruits of labor...the
ancient Magicks and Alchemies!! Tools of
Magick!! Tools !!! >

"Choose wisely....do not waste this spin upon

the spindle of life!! Now is the time of
change!! One choice only can you have!! Choose
wisely.... or be gone!"

<A rounded shield fashioned from hazelwood ....

gilded and bronzed with a covering of symbols
catches my eye...and I choose...wisely...
wisely...wisely I trust!!! Guide me!! I cry
out....Guide me my Guide!!! Aid me now!!>
This is the answer that appeared:
"The Fruit of the Tree"

<A small voice croons to me..the voice of the

querc....small and brown ...common....yet..
It is Beautiful!! and it sits in a tree of
White.
White Blossoms above the Eternal Fountain.
Perfect Beauty and Promise!! I approach the
querc and the Tree.>

I ask,"What is this Tree that grows within

this Sacred Place oh small brown one? What
is this Tree and why am I here? Guide me!
Let your Spirit show me the way!"

<The bird hops along a branch to where a

fruit of greens and pinks swells forth in
its ripeness.>
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"Take...eat...SEE...and know life!!!Here

are the five points of Eternity!!! Here
are the seeds of Life itself!! Eat only
if you are wise! Live only if you are pure!
Endure only if you are strong and return
to choose wisely once again!! Now is the
time of the Five Pointed Star!! You must
become a Star child and grow!!! Be a
Point of Light in the Darkness!! Be the
Darkness and the Light!"

<I reach up and take the fruit. I split

it into two halves...one more pink than
green ... the other more green than
pink. Within are the star shaped seed
chambers of life. The Star is born!!!
I bite into the Quert, the fruit of Life!!
I am BECOME!>
The World Beckoned to me once more:
"The Light in the Darkness"

The point of light recedes rapidly into

the night, a shooting star across the skies.
I am alone once more looking at the wheel,
wondering about myself...Who am I? What
does this mean? What awaits me? What awaits
us all? We are alone and the Wheel turns.
Once more I gaze upon Fionn's wheel...
and know my journeys continue....It's
knowledge is my shield. I am a sword and
the fires of summer beckon to us all.
Such is the nature of an Inner Journey. I continue to see this journey and to
reflect upon its meanings to me and to who I am. I recommend that each of you also
undertake such journeys for yourselves. Go within to your Inner Guide and travel the
Wheel. Journey the pathways of Fionn to Wisdom and Knowledge. Beannacht libh! That
was my experience in an Inner Journey.

Celtic Workshop #12 - The "Outer Darkness", the "Dragon's Eye" and the
"Many Speckled Rainment"
This Workshop was presented and hosted by Searles O'Dubhain. We covered
the basis of Druid Magick or Drai'ocht. We discussed the "Dragon" or
"Serpent" Power that is inherit in the Land. We touched on the many
different areas of knowledge and discipline necessary to be a Druid. We
also discussed the Mysteries of "Death" and "Rebirth". Some preliminary
socializing soon gave way to the formal presentation and discussion:

Here is what I hope to cover tonight:

The Road to the Grove.
The Druidic concepts of Being.
The use of the Power of the Land
in the Rite of the "Dragon's Eye".
The "ley lines" and the "death roads".
The attainment of Druidic enlightenment
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(Initiation to the Inner Mysteries)
Authority and the "Many Speckled Rainment"

"The Road to the Grove"

There are many paths to Magick though only One True Magick IMHO. The Grove is a home
to this Power as is the Circle and the Temple. How do we attain the Power to do
Magick for ourselves and for all of humanity? Let us look to see what the Pathways
were for others.

"The Ancient Druidic Orders"

I have discussed the Ancient orders or levels of Druids in a previous workshop. I
include them here for the sake of our current discussion.

Druidic Bards studied for 15 to 20 years to learn the epics, chants, spells and
histories of their peoples and clans. These works were memorized exactly and were a
requirement for advancement to a higher or inner level of the Druidic ranks. The
works had to be rendered with feeling so that the listener would be spell bound and
consequently could relive the event. The Irish Druids had the following classes of
Bards:

Class # of Epics
__________________________________________
Driseg 20 (the Beginner)
Foclaic 30 (Advanced beginner)
Cili 100 (Journeyman)
Anraid 175 (Master/Warrior)
Ollomh 175+ (Doctor/Judge)

It is to be expected that the lawyers, seers, scientists, judges, and clergy of the
Draoi underwent similarly lengthy training periods.
"The Cloak of Many Colors"

In the Christian Bible, Joseph was awarded a cloak of many colors by his father
because he was beloved among all of his brothers. Due to the jealousy and greed of
his brothers, Joseph was also sold into slavery in Egypt and suffered a "death" to
his old way of life. Because he was open to wisdom and could perceive the meanings
within signs and dreams, he became the chief counselor to the Pharaoh and rose above
his death to "new life". Just as the history of the Gaels is tied to Egypt, so the
rites of Druids are tied to this idea of "many colors" and rebirth. Please recall
that the Mileseans descend from the Pharaohs of Egypt and that their Druids were
said to be better Magi than the Persians. To be as good a Druid as Joseph, one must
learn the art of interpreting dreams, divination and eloquence. This is a mighty job
and worthy of us all!
"My Own Personal Paths"

When I embarked upon the quest for my roots and for the nature of Drai'ocht, I was
immediately impressed by two things:

1. The Druids were acute and patient observers

of Nature.

2. The Druids were the scholars and scientists

of their day.

Using these two ideas, I created a color-coded series of educational levels for
myself in my quest into the secrets of the Draoi.

I believe there are five areas of knowledge in the Mysteries:

Knowledge of Self,
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Knowledge of the World,
Knowledge of the Spirit,
Knowledge of Magick,
Knowledge of the ONE.

The entire process of learning and growing never stops. As a minimum I have required
myself to know the following:

Knowledge of Self (The Blue Level)

__________________________________________
The Student must be able to meditate until he/she can know their inner voice. The
Student must know truth and abstain from lying. The Student must be able to love
and be loved. The Student must know the limits of self. The Student must identify
their Sexuallity. The Student must know their life goals. The Student must know
their bodies and how to
maximize and maintain their health.

Knowledge of the World (The Green Level)

__________________________________________

The Student must know the physical world. The Student must know how the laws of
Nature work. The Student must be Holistic with Creation. The Student must be able
to shape the forces of Physics and Chemistry. The Student must know the ways of
Botany and Zoology. The Student must study animals, plants, insects,
birds,fish,trees and rocks. The Student must hear the voice of the Waters and the
Winds. The Student must SEE within the Fires, The Student must be connected with
the Earth. The Student must know the history of civilization. The Student must
know the laws of man. The Student must learn Music. The Student must learn Poetry
and Writing.

The Knowledge of the Spirit (The Yellow Level)

______________________________________________
The Student must know the Spirit within. The Student must study the Religions of
Humanity. The Student must make a Spiritual Journey. The Student must leave the
body and walk the Moon Ways. (OOBE) The Student must see the origins and travels of
the Spirit within. (PAST LIFE REGRESSION) The Student must Know the Spirit in
Music, Colors, Symbols and Life. The Student must hear the Akasha.

The Knowledge of Magick (The Orange Level)

__________________________________________

The Student must read the Great Works (Cayce, Crowley, Enoch, Fortune, Hermes, Jung,
Ogham, Pythagorus, Qabalah, Science, Solomon, Thelema, etc.) The Student must learn
to "See." The Student must learn to "Divine". The Student must learn to "Shield."
The student shall learn to "Speak." The student shall learn to "Heal." The student
shall learn to "Travel."

The Knowledge of the ONE (The Red Level)

__________________________________________
The Student must create and lead a Ritual. The Student must focus the three Powers
(Earth, Self, ONE). The Student must perform the Great Rite. The Student must
change Reality. The Student must perform the rite of "Making." The Student must be
reborn and become ONE.

After passing through all levels successfully, the Student then becomes the Teacher
and can wear the White, Multi-speckled or the Dark Robes of their choice. This is
my path to Drai'ocht. You alone can choose the proper path to your Inner Light of
Whiteness or Darkness. All colors are one color. All Drai'ocht is ONE DRAI'OCHT!
"The Druidic concepts of Being"
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-------------------------------
I would like to quickly touch on some Druidic concepts about states of being. These
states of being correspond to the previous cosmology that we discussed in workshop
5. (Time does not permit me to make a complete discussion of these topics tonight. I
may add another workshop to cover them more completely in the future.)
"Barddas and The Circles of Being"
----------------------------------
The Welsh Bardic work "Barddas" contains a description of the three Circles of
Being:
1. Abred or the Realm of Matter
(The physical world of form)
2. Gwynyd or the Realm of Blessedness
(The Magickal Astral world of Spirits)
3. Ceugant or the Realm of Infinities
(That which is the home of the
God/desses and the Blessed)

These states of being are separated by three veils that must be passed:
1. Annwn or "Dark Forgetfulness"
(This is the gap or veil that must be passed to achieve birth and rebirth in
the Physical World.)
2. Cythraul or "the Ghost"
(This is the veil that must be passed to achieve enlightenment.)
3. Lyonesse or "the Isle of the Blest"
(This is the final veil that is passed when one has achieved complete
enlightenment and complete growth.)
"Awen" or "illumination" is like a lightning bolt that can come to us across these
veils and bring us knowledge and understanding.
The key to our Power and true wills is how well we are able to pass between these
states of being. I will discuss some of these techniques next.

"Circles of Thought" or, "The Cyclatron of the Soul"

One of the marvels of modern science is the atom smasher or particle accelerator.
Another name for these powerful devices is a "cyclatron". This is basically a phased
arrray of electromagnetic devices that take charged particles and accelerate them to
tremendous speeds around a circular field until they approximate the speed of light
or at least they approach relativistic velocities. The particles are then smashed
into a target and the history of the mutual destruction is observed and recorded so
that humanity may unlock the secrets of the Gods. I trust that most of us here
tonight have experienced this acceleration effect within the vortex of our thoughts
and Spirits. We strive mightily to increase the relativistic mass of our thoughts so
that we may observe their behavor as they approach God-like reality in their
manifestions. Whirr and strive as we might, we are doomed to the universal
restraints of our own humanity in much the same manner as nuclear physicists are
limited by the unvirsal limits of "C" or light speeds (warp Factor 1, Mr. Sulu!<G>).
Such are the limits of thinking.

"The Salmon Leap and the Shaman's Death"

I have gone through the process of questing for ultimate meaning in life many times.
Most of this effort has been exhausting as well as futile. Only through
extraordinary efforts have I actually attained results. These results came about
through quantum leaps of the mind and spirit across the "void". Since the salmon is
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the totem of knowledge, I call this leap the "Salmon Leap". It is very approprite to
name it thus since the "void" is actually "death" and the salmon "leap" up the
streams of it's birth to spawn new life from it's own death struggle. The ancients
also refered to mighty feats as a "Salmon Leap". We must experience the "Shaman's
Death" in order to attain our new life and knowledge. The "Salmon Leap" brings us to
a New Reality and altered state of Being. Included in the initiation rites to all of
the Great Mystery Schools was just such a rite of Death and Rebirth. Anyone care to
reveal their secrets now?<G> OTO'ers? GD'ers? Druids? Wiccans? AMORC? Freemasons?
Templars? Illumatti? Assassins? Channellers? Others? The floor is now open. Let's
hear the words of Life and the words of Death. Josey Wales faces Ten Bears in the
moment of Truth. The gauge is cast...the challenge is issued. The floor is open to
all comers!

"Enlightenment"

Coming through the "dark night of the soul" or the "Shaman's Death" purifies and
releases us so that we can experience illumination and enlightenment. Our "darkness'
and ignorance are burned away in the flames of the Phoenix as we are reborn into the
Light! Such a wonder! The Akasha and all knowledge are there to be received! Our
training and our quest are rewarded. We are a new creation!
"The Dragon's Eye"

The "Dragon's Eye" is another word for Earth Magick or the Power inherent to the
Land that is at the root of the Celtic Soul. This is the power of Excalibur or
Caliborn, the sword of Arthur. It is the "Dragon's Breath" that Merlin works with to
create a Magickal Mist while using the charm of "Making". We have already seen the
"Eye of the Dragon" in a previous workshop ritual. I would like to now open the
floor for a further discussion by everyone here as to how we sense this Power in the
Land and particularly how we sense it at many sacred sites such as "Stone Circles",
Raths, Menhirs, Hills, "Ley Lines", "Stonehenge", "Avebury" or any other site of
your experience. The floor is now open for Magickal discussion!
Anyone else have a good story for how they've sensed the Power of the Land? How it
just is laying there waiting for the call?
(2-10,Freepowder) Some time, when you can be alone for a while..
climb up into the moutains, my mountains are the Sierras get up high, above
treeline, and sit there, find a rock... where the wind blows all the time and just
sit. it may take a while maybe an hour, maybe a day... but you will feel it..
strength more than power, but power just the same
coming up form the rocks... singing in the wind... when you have got it right.. the
animals will come you may not see them, the conys and the birds but you will feel
them too if you are lucky. they will talk to you not in words but in thoughts. if
you are ready your totem will make itself known I have found that no great
preparation is neccesary but for an open heart and mind it happens for me everytime
I go there which is not nearly often enough oh! don't do this in a lightning storm
<G>
(2-8,O'Dubhain) Beautiful Freepowder! A hymn to the Mother!
We can all sing the song of the Health of the Earth! She is beautiful still in some
places and will be again in others as we....and I do mean we.... all get together to
release the Power of the Dragon! THAT has been safeguarded for us by our ancient
Shamans within the Earth. I sense that the keys for this Work are soon to be given
to us all once more.
(2-15,Nan) Well, I can think of many times that I've felt the Power of
the Land but I'll offer just a simple recent example:
Last week I gave my ankle a nasty sprain, I knew that one thing it needed for
healing was to walk barefoot on the land, so that's what I did <g> in general I find
that going barefoot on almost any ground allows me to feel the power of the
land......I don't do it long in the snow though <g>.

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(2-8,O'Dubhain) I'll bet!!!<G> Many of the ancient sacred sites are no
longer in active use. I think that the day is rapidly approaching where the Land
will call us to Work Magicks at such sites. We will re-establish the "ley lines" of
Power that are now just echoes of their past. These lines and sites require a
Human/Dragon magickal connection to re-Power the grids that exist all across this
planet. Many events
occur today that point to this Work.
(2-15,Nan) I just wanted to comment that a few years ago I visited a
more obscure stone circle and noticed by items left behind that it had been recently
used..... so not *all* the ancient sites are inactive and I'm glad!
(2-8,O'Dubhain) That's true! I believe Shadow Hawk told about feeling
serpent lines of Power beneath Avebury's Circles during a visit there as well,
though Stonehenge seemed inert. He told me recently that he sensed that it could
come "alive" again for the right combination of persons working there. If that
happened, it would have to be tended on a regular basis. Too much of the Dragon
sleeps at that site. Myrdin Emyrs sleeps nearby himself! Anyone else have a
"Dragon" sense?
(2-17,cherokee/wwc1) Many of the american indians have the same legends only we
call it the serpent my great grandmother taught me to go out at night and to feel
the serpent move beneath my feet and to listen to the song it made in the wind. We
believe the time for the serpent to rise is here [it is in the] spirit of the people
and the land. I have been a healer in my past lives we used the crystals to awaken
the serpent when it was time. That time is soon and I feel the serpent singing to
me.
(2-8,O'Dubhain) Thank you My Princess!<G> Some legends say that crystals
were used at Stonehenge as well. They were placed upon the tops of the lentils there
to provide a Power connection. Perhaps the crystal skulls will provide an answer.
I hope to see one in Miami next month.
(2-15,Nan) All this talk of serpents reminded me of Australia, where
the Aborigines have the story of the rainbow serpent (I think it may be part of a
creation myth) there they call the ley lines songlines. Bruce Chatwin wrote a
wonderful book by that name that covers a lot about the Aborginal beliefs
(2-8,O'Dubhain) I want to check into that some more. Isn't it also amazing
that everyone connects the serpent to wisdom ....even the Christians do it!<G>
Though I must say they try to make out like it was a bad thing to get smart!<G>
(2-17,cherokee/wwc1) All peoples have stories of serpents many of them have head
cult legends where the skulls were used as resonators to focus energy and to sing to
the serpent to wake it up the aborigines believe this as did the mayans and the
cherokees and other native peoples
(2-17,cherokee/wwc1) ga
(2-8,O'Dubhain) Thanks!! ok Trailstalker M'lady ga!
(2-1,Trailstalker) Sorry... I'm coming in late on the conversation...
are we talking about snake/kundalini power?
ga
(2-8,O'Dubhain) we are talking about the power in the Land
ga
(2-1,Trailstalker) ok I just needed a ref. pt. for the conversation.
(2-1,Trailstalker) ga
(2-8,O'Dubhain) ok Freepowder ga
(2-10,Freepowder) The serpents are everywhere, but watch out! some of
them are snakes <G> couldn't resist, sorry <VBG>
"The Many Speckled Rainment" "The Song of Amergin"
This translation by Dr. Douglas Hyde from his work "Literary History of Ireland" was
as well known to the Druids as the "Lord's Prayer" is to todays priests. It is a
perfect example of the many different Magickal skills used by the Druids. It is one
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of my personal favorites as well!<G> I would like to use it to discuss the
"many-speckled" rainbow of Drai'ocht! Once again I give you the words of the Bard:
" The Mystery
I am the wind which breathes upon the sea.
I am the wave of the ocean.
I am the murmur of the billows.
I am the ox of the seven combats.
I am the vulture upon the
I am a beam of the Sun.
I am the fairest of plants.
I am a wild boar in valour.
I am a salmon in the water.
I am a lake in the plain.
I am a word of science.
I am a point of the lance in battle.
I am the God who created in the head the fire.
Who is it who throws light into the meeting
on the mountain?
Who announces the ages of the Moon?
Who teaches the place where couches the Sun?
(If not I)"
Let's just go down the line and list the Druidic attributes used in this one spell
by lines and in order (I also assigned colors to each attribute):
Attribute Color
_________________________________________
The Powers of: Wind, (Red)
Sea, (Grey)
Fire. (White)
Persistence. (all)
Death in battle. (Black)
The Power of the Sun. (Golden)
The Power of the Green World. (Green)
Courage in extremis. (Red)
Infinite Knowledge. (Yellow)
The resting place of the soul. (Purple)
The Knowledge of Science. (Yellow)
Focus through Discipline. (White)
The Gift of Awen. (Orange)
*Drai'ocht*. (White)
I could write an entire page on each of these attributes but not tonight!<G> "Fire
in the Head" is the name of an excellent book by Tom Cowan on the subject of Celtic
Shamanism. "The 21 Lessons of Merlin" by Douglas Monroe agrees with my assignments
for most of the above colors. A true Druid worn the Cloak of many Colors for
festive occassions, White or Black robes to conduct Magick and during ritual and a
bull's hide when in battle.

"Authority"
This the source or result of working with Magick for Druids. It is a measure of
their Power and the strength of their "True Wills". In the "21 Lessons" Monroe
states that the students of Drai'ocht were awarded colored glass beads (called
Gleini na Droedh) that were strung on leather cords for necklaces. These
multicolored necklaces were kept secret by each Druid and produced only to
demonstrate their Authority to other Druids. Magick knowledge, discipline and
practice determined the level of Authority thus attained.

"Into the Light"

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Fionn's Wheel can also be multicolored. I have made the one in the library that
way!<G> (Make it so Number One!<G>) Seriously, to become a Master Druid, one must
transcend the separation of colors and walk into the Light. This involves knowing
the many fold paths of the Wheel and primarily the Inner Mystery of the relationship
of Life and Death, White and Black, Balance and Action, Being and Not being. The
Initiations into most of the Great Mysteries included this Dualism of Transcendancy.
(An excellent book on this topic is "The Great Initiates"by Edouard Schure,
translation by Gloria Rasberry.)
What does this mean?
What is this Initiation?
What is the Mystery?

What follows is what I envision COULD have happened during such an initiation. Hear
the words a modern day Druid might hear as he achieves his full Knowledge:
<the Initiate will have been fasting and meditating within the total darkness of a
cave or a dark room for at least a night. Just before the rising of the sun or the
lighting of the fires he/she would hear a loud female voice cry out!>

"I am Arianrhod, Queen of the Heavens! You who approach me must now
ask yourselves these questions:
How can you achieve the Inner Knowledge?
Where can you find the Signs that show you the Way?
Heed My Words!
I am Arianrhod, Queen of the Stars,
I am She of the Silver Wheel!
My crown spreads across the Vault of the Heavens!
Your dreams shall be filled with the Secret Ways of the Night!
It is I that will show you the Paths of Knowledge!
It is I that will fire your Spirit in sparkling crystals of
Wonder!
I am Arianrhod! Come to Me My children!
Be filled with Expectancy for what is yet to come!"
<The chief Druid could follow these words with the following caution.>
"Hear the Words of the Ard Druis:"
"You who seek the Ways of Power must dare to approach the
Queen of the Stars!
You who seek the embrace of Wisdom must approach Her Presence
without fear!
You that seek for Love must first know your True Selves. What is
your Authority?
Are you truly Human? Speak now if you dare!"
<Then the Initiates should ask for entry to the Inner Mysteries.>
"Oh Arianrhod of the Silver Wheel!
Bless us in Your Mysteries!
Fill us with Your Spirit!
Let us place no limits upon Your exalted Being!
You are Infinite!
You are the Unknown! The Darkness!
Admit us into Thy arms!
Grant us Your Blessings!
Our speech is confounded!
Chaos is upon us!"
<Once again, the Ard Druis would charge the Initiates.>

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"Now is the Great Re-awakening!
Now is the time of enlightenment!
Those who are untrue shall be cast out
into the depths!
Cleanse yourselves through trials of fire
and fasting! The way is long,
Only the strong shall attain Knowledge!"

<A flame or beam of sunlight should be produced to shine upon an open doorway,
admitting the Initiates into the Inner Sanctum.>

"Behold the Flaming Door!

Behold the Burning sword of Gorias!
Enter if you dare the halls of Lugh!!
Wear the many speckled cloak of Samildanach!"
"Hear the words of the Sun!"
<A male Druid dressed in Robes of Gold and bearing a torch should address the
Initiates.>
"I am Lugh Lamfadagh!!! I am Samildanach!
I am thy burning desire for Knowledge!
I am the Power that illumes the Heavens!
Life is my gift to you, even as your Death is the Mother of Life.
To know Me is to know yourself completely, even beyond Death!
Enter if you dare!
Approach the fires of Life!!!
Die and live again!"

"I, Lugh am the focus of the Power and you My Druid are its Manifestation!
Enter the Flaming Door!
Cead Mile Failte!
Maith an Drui!"

<At this point the Initiate should be robed in the multispeckled robe and presented
with a golden sickle and a staff fashioned from the wood of the tree that is his
"soul tone". Standing before the gathered assembly,He should recite his geneology
and the many achievements of his necklace of Gleini na Droedh. The ceremony should
then be completed by the conducting of the Initiate's personal ritual (from his work
on the Red Level).>

Such is the end of a long journey.

An Fhi'rinne Roimh an Saol!
We must awaken the Dragon Power within us all!!
DRAI'OCHT LIVES AGAIN!
TA' ME' DRAI'OCHT!!
Celtic Workshop #13 - The "Charm of Making"
This Workshop was presented and hosted by Searles O'Dubhain. We covered
some concepts touching upon the beginings of all things. We also covered how symbols
are used to describe reality and Magick. We discussed the necessity for *belief* in
performing Magick. I led a discussion about a ritual that was centered around the
Charm of "Making". The arch[e]types and the Quarters used in Celtic Magickal systems
were also discussed. Some preliminary socializing soon gave way to the formal
presentation and discussion:
Opening Remarks
Tonight I attempt to tie together the beliefs of the Celts in Cosmologies and Magick
or Drai'ocht to what we know of the world and reality through the study of modern
science and more recent Magickal systems and their resulting Cosmological models. It
is my hope that all of this discussion will clarify the history of the Celts and the
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workings of the Druids. The highest form of Drai'ocht was the Charm of "Making".
This is the essence of creation by the use of the Will. It is into the Cauldron of
Primodial Creation that I plunge tonight as a Midwife to Magick. Drai'ocht shall
live again! The Dragon will once again be reborn!

"Chaos"
In many mythologies and some philosophies, Chaos is the void that existed in the
begining of all things before even time existed and from
which all things have arisen.

"The notion that creation came from nothing (creatio ex nihilo) appears in several
accounts of creation. The biblical story of creation contained in the Book of
GENESIS begins with a formless, watery chaos that God shapes into the ordered world.
The hymn of creation from India's epic Rig Veda (see VEDAS) describes the primordial
situation as one of neither existence nor nonexistence and further states that no
one, not even the gods, knows who produced the universe. In marked contrast is an
Egyptian myth attributing creation to the deity khepri. In this myth Khepri states
that when he came into being, being itself came into being; all other beings were
then produced from his actions and his body; but before him there was only nonbeing.
Among the Polynesians, creation myths emphasize the dimensions of void space and the
qualities of darkness as the primordial structures of creation. In these myths, the
initial state of darkness and void in which the deity dwells is later transformed
and the forms of the universe then emerge. Creation is thus predicated on a void or
a nothingness--a reality totally different from any form or substance of the created
order. In addition, the deities who create from nothing or emerge from this void are
given a new and special kind of power; for though creators of the world, they remain
distinct from it in their originative form." .......quoted from The Online Edition
of GROLIER'S ACADEMIC AMERICAN Encyclopedia, Copyright (c) 1993, Grolier Electronic
Publishing.

Magick is the ability to cross the void of Chaos and to create order in the universe
that surrounds us. The primary way in which this creation occurs is through the
focus of our own Wills.
"The Void was without Form"
"Chaos theory, a modern development in mathematics and science, provides a framework
for understanding irregular or erratic fluctuations in nature. Chaotic systems are
found in many fields of science and engineering. The study of their dynamics is an
essential part of the burgeoning science of complexity--the effort to understand the
principles of order that underlie the patterns of all real systems, from ecosystems
to social systems to the universe as a whole." ..quoted from The Online Edition of
GROLIER'S ACADEMIC AMERICAN Encyclopedia, Copyright (c) 1993, Grolier Electronic
Publishing.

The BIG BANG theory of the creation of the universe is widely accepted by
astronomers. "It holds that the universe began with the explosive expansion of a
single, extremely condensed state of matter. A further development of this model,
known as INFLATIONARY THEORY, describes the original condensed matter as arising
from virtually empty space. Whether the universe will expand forever, slow to a
halt, or contract again and continue to oscillate indefinitely from one big bang to
the next is the subject of ongoing speculation....." Charles Long .......quoted from
The Online Edition of GROLIER'S ACADEMIC AMERICAN Encyclopedia, Copyright (c) 1993,
Grolier Electronic Publishing.

"Order"
Out of Nothingness was Reality formed. The diversity of Reality is due to the two
great forces of separation: projection and reception (the male and the femine
aspects of Power). From this duality of all things, the rest of Creation is
manifested. This manifestation can be described and modeled in many ways. I have
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chosen to limit myself briefly to two such descriptions during tonight's workshop.
The first such model or description is the science of "quantum mechanics". According
to this area of science, everything is composed of waves and the interaction between
wavefronts. With two primary and distinctly different sources of waveforms, we get
interference patterns. These lines of intersection have their own "nature" and give
rise to other "quantum effects" in their own localized area of the space/time
continuum. This ongoing process of interaction and manifestation can create Infinite
Combination in Infinite Diversity (IDIC). I will discuss this concept later.
The other way in which two differing states can create their own "reality" is
through the laws of Boolean Logic and Algebra. In digital design and simulation
techniques, this fact is well known. I work in such areas and can reduce any system
to a series of "min" and "max" terms of inputs and "truth tables". This Boolean
discipline of using "min and max terms" has given birth to the CyberSpace that we
currently inhabit. I suggest that our present existence is no more than a
"real-time" simulation in a greater system and that our creative/destructive
interactions are constantly birthing new realities and new creations. We are each a
"star" as some Magickal systems teach.

All Physical and Magickal systems have hidden controls that operate from outside the
program flow (another word for this flow might be called "life"). This outside
intervention might be what appears in the form of "Magick" to an internal observer
of that system. The operating system for the host platform, such as DOS, determines
the form of the relationships between all programs, files and other processes. A
magickal way of stating this might be, "As Above, So Below". Tonight, I have
discussed only two ways that some realities are postulated and created. In the wide
variety of the Infinite Cosmos, Diversity is carried to the extremes. Anything CAN
and DOES happen!
"Symbols"

One way man has attempted to understand and quantify his universe is through the use
of symbols. The most often used symbols are numbers, letters and sigils. The Jewish
Kabbala, the Celtic Oghams and the other Magickal alphabets are good examples of the
use of such symbols to order and understand most physical, spiritual and Magickal
relationships. I have talked about Oghams and Fionn's Wheel/Ladder in previous
workshops. I have also talked about the Celtic Cosmology. Tonight I will briefly
touch on numbers and math. Please refer to the previous Celtic Workshops #1, 2, 3, 5
and the Online Wicca Kabbala Threads for more information in those areas. Another
kind of symbol that can describe our reality is a relatively new form of mathematics
called Fractals.
"Fractals"
"A modern mathematical theory that radically departs from traditional EUCLIDEAN
GEOMETRY, fractal geometry describes objects that are self-similar, or scale
symmetric. This means that when such objects are magnified, their parts are seen to
bear an exact resemblance to the whole, the likeness continuing with the parts of
the parts and so on to infinity. Fractals, as these shapes are called, also must be
devoid of translational symmetry--that is, the smoothness associated with Euclidean
lines, planes, and spheres. Instead a rough, jagged quality is maintained at every
scale at which an object can be examined. The nature of fractals is reflected in
the word itself, coined by mathematician Benoit B. Mandelbrot from the Latin verb
frangere, "to break,"
and the related adjective fractus, "irregular and fragmented."

The science of fractals has been found to exist within many natural formations .
Fractals are found everywhere we look, from the shape of
coastlines to the geometry found in cellular divisions. Most dynamical systems that
change their behavior over time become CHAOTIC in nature and can also be described
using fractals. The reason I mention fractals tonight is twofold. First, fractals
show us mathematically how reality and life are manifested. As I said earlier,
fractal geometry and mathematics are a fairly recent discovery. One important type
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of Fractal that is found in nature is called a Mandelbrot set. This particular set
of fractals becomes inheritly unstable as one looks closer at it's component
fractals. What is so interesting about this fact and study is that FRACTALS in the
FORM OF MANDELBROT SETS have been appearing as CROP CIRCLES on the Salisbury Plains.
This is the same area that is located close by both Stonehenge and Avebury. What is
the source of these symbols? Where is this information coming from? Are these crop
circles some sort of Magickal alphabet or symbols? Are they communicated to us
across time and space from other Magicians or other Entities? If they are such
symbols, has this phenomena occurred before in the past? Did the Druids observe,
record and understand this type of information during their times?
My second pointis that our knowledge of Magick is itself like a fractal. With each
piece of information we receive from our searches into the nature of Magick, we
discover more and more questions. This gives rise to more and more associations and
consequently more questions and disorder. Our attempts to totally understand Magick
by close inspection
consequently results in chaotic thinking. We see fractals everywhere when we look
at the world. This world seems to be a fractal. Everything from shorelines,
earthquakes, cell structure to computer graphics have been found to obey the laws of
fractals. Perhaps Magick and the heavenly cosmologies are fractals of the Higher
Will? Perhaps our True Will is a fractal? Maybe fractals are the new Ogham, the new
Wheel of Fionn?
"Transformations"
If an idea can be reduced to mathematical or Magickal symbols, then it can also be
manipulated or transformed. These relation-ships are called "veils" or
"pathworkings" in Magickal works. In mathematics, such
transformations occur frequently. What is complex in one domain is simple in
another. Engineers use such techniques as vector and
tensor analysis to handle complex systems all the time. Magicians use the principle,
"As Above , So Below" to aid their Magickal Workings. Sometimes this Magickal work
is also done while using symbollic logic to aid in the act of manifesting or
"making" a new creation. We will next discuss how some of these Magickal
transformations are done.

"Vibratory States"
The addition of external energy to a molecule or the introduction of additional
molecules into a solution causes its electron configuartion to change. The electron
"jumps" across an energy barrier to obtain a different orbit or geometry. The
Molecule changes its behavior, sometimes with amazing results. This change in
electrons through levels or states of energy is directly analogous to the levels or
states of vibration that a Magician goes through to "resonate" with other spiritual
forces. These principles of resonance and vibration are the keys to the techniques
of OOBE and energy transfer in Magickal systems. To discover how we as
Magickal/Spiritual entities can go through these types of transformed states, I
looked at my own experiences, once again.
"Personal Experiences"
The keys to working Magick are BELIEF, DISCIPLINE and FOCUS. Focus is a matter of
personal ability and is sharpened through practice and effort. Discipline is
inherit to our very natures. Belief is absolutely necessary to any Magickal Work. I
have had three types of personal experiences that are the foundation of my BELIEF in
MAGICK.
"The All from the None"
This experience I have discussed before. It is the first veil that must be passed to
obtain BELIEF in Magick and the resulting Powers. Briefly stated, I was able to
detach from the ordinary (while conscious) and encounter Spirit and Magickal Beings.
These experiences have reinforced my ability to work Astrally and Magickally. The
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secrets to this experience are meditation, inner quietness and the increased
vibrational level of the spirit or "ecstasy".

By going into the "void" of Nothingness, I was touched by the Power of the Akasha!
Anyone can do this, if they are willing to put in the time and effort to meditate to
achieve inner "quietness". The "Void" is the place where the Will can focus to
create and produce all Magick!

"The None From the All"

These are experiences I have had from "lucid dreaming". I have basically been able
to go anywhere and do anything in my dreams. I have had many revelations and Super
Normal experiences in these dreams. I guess the most outrageous experience was
experiencing "death". Some deaths were just an abrupt end to one existence while
manifesting into another body and another existence. One particular "death" was at
the center of an exploding sun or bomb. I was literally blown into Nothingness and
Non-Existence. I "floated" there in endless time without thought or being. I just
was. Only my Will still existed and through the exertion of my Will I was able to
awaken into my body once more. This was not and ordinary dream. In fact, I'm not
really sure this is the Reality I started out in! <GGG> A Powerful incentive to
learn more about Magick (to prevent such a thing from ever happening again)!!!!!
"IDIC"

IDIC is borrowed from the Vulcan, Mr. Spock. It stands for Infinite Diversity in
Infinite Combinations. This basically means the Universe
is filled with possibilities and that anything can (and will) happen. This is all
those strange events that can be dismissed if taken one at a time but will stagger
you if you keep a log of them. This includes such things in my life as: Flying or
"floating" in the air by myself, reading minds, seeing the future, seeing creatures
that are in another plane, hearing the music of the Sidhe and incredible feats of
strength and speed (that could not possible have happened). All these many events
taken together point to a variety of techniques that people can do. The secret is in
remembering how we did it!!! Or maybe in finding a really excellent teacher. I am
the worst of students but I am very persistent!<GGG>
"The Charm of Making"
The following is the merest sketch of an outline for performming the Charm of
Making, the very same chant that Merlin was heard to use in the movie "Excalibur".
Much of this ritual comes from the following works:
"The 21 Lessons of Merlin", "Celtic Magic', "Witta", "The Irish Celtic Magical
Tradition" and the "Sacred Cauldon". Some of it is changed to suit my personal
(*Irish*) preferences!<G>

"Circles of Drai'ocht "

Druids' Circles are very similar to other Magickal Circles. Each direction should
have a candle and color associated with it. (I use Red for East, White for South,
Grey or Blue for West and Black for North). I also have candles for the God and the
Goddess. these are usually Green and Red respectively. I light the candles as the
Spirits are invoked.
"The Guardians"

"Air"

The Guardian of the East Quarter is Esras associated with the Power of Air. The
sacred city of this Spiritual realm is Gorias. The Celtic Deities usually associated
with this Quarter are Nuada and Scathach. The sacred treasure or weapon is the
invincible sword. The Magickal Deity for the elemental Powers or the wind singers
and sprites is Paraldas, ruler of the Sylphs, Zyphyrs and the Winged Sprites. This
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direction is most often associated with ideas, thoughts, inspiration and psychic
powers. Ritual work for this direction is associated with dawn, sunrise,
Spring, harmony, travel and freedom. A suitable invocation of the Guardians might
be:
"Tugaim cuireadh do Garda de Soir!
Tugaim cuireadh do Duile de Gaoth!
Tugaim cuireadh do Esras de Gorias!"
Translation:
"I give invitation to the Guardian of the East!
I give invitation to the Element of the Winds!
I invite Esras, Master of Inspiration!"
Pronunciation:
"TUG-im KIR-oo gu GAAR-du gu SKULL!
TUG-im KIR-oo gu DOO-li gu GWA!
TUG-im KIR-oo gu ES-rah gu GOR-ah!

"Fire"

The Guardian of the South Quarter is Uscias associated with the Power of Fire. The
sacred city of this Spiritual realm is Findias. The Celtic Deities usually
associated with this Quarter are Lugh and Bridgit. The sacred treasure or weapon is
the flaming spear. The Magickal Deity for
its elemental Powers or Salamandes and Firedrakes is Djinas, ruler of the
Consciousness and flames. This direction is most often associated with Action,
Passion and Change. Ritual work for this direction is associated with Summer, noon,
sexuality and purification. A suitable invocation of the Guardians might be:
"Tugaim cuireadh do Garda de O'Dheas!
Tugaim cuireadh do Duile de Tine!
Tugaim cuireadh do Uscias de Findias!"
Translation:
"I give invitation to the Guardian of the South!
I give invitation to the Elements of the Fire!
I invite Uscias, Master of Conscious Action"
Pronunciation:
"TUG-im KIR-oo gu GAAR-du gu OWE-yass!
TUG-im KIR-oo gu DOO-li gu CHIN-e!
TUG-im KIR-oo gu ISH-kah gu FIN-jah!"
"Water"
The Guardian of the West Quarter is Semias associated with the Power of Water or the
Sea. The sacred city of this Spiritual realm is Murias. The Celtic Deities usually
associated with this Quarter are Mannanan and the Cailleach. The sacred treasure or
weapon is the cauldron. The Magickal Deity for its elemental Powers or Nymphs and
Undines is Niksas, ruler of the depths of the Sea and the spirits of the waters.
This direction is most often associated with Emotions, healing and Marriage. Ritual
work for this direction is associated with Fall, sunset, plants, the subconscious
mind and dreams. A suitable invocation of the Guardians
might be:
"Tugaim cuireadh do Garda de Siar!
Tugaim cuireadh do Duile de Muir!
Tugaim cuireadh do Semias de Murias!"

Translation:
"I give invitation to the Guardian of the West!
I give invitation to the Elements of the Mystical Sea!
I invite Semias, Master of the Mind's Deep Waters!"

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Pronunciation:
"TUG-im KIR-oo gu GAAR-du gu SHEER!
TUG-im KIR-oo gu DOO-li gu MWIRR!
TUG-im KIR-oo gu SEM-ahs gu MUR-ahs!"

"Earth"
The Guardian of the North Quarter is Morfessa, associated with the Power of Earth.
The sacred city of this Spiritual realm is Falias. The Celtic Deities usually
associated with this Quarter are the Morrigan and the Dagdha. The sacred treasure or
weapon is the Stone of Fal. The Magickal Deity for the elemental Powers or Gnomes
and Dwarfs is Ghobas,ruler of the inhabitants of the Earth and a crystal spirits.
This direction is most often associated with Destiny, Prosperity and Fate as well as
Magick. Ritual work for this direction is associated with Winter, night, midnight,
self will and treasures. A suitable invocation of the Guardians might be:
"Tugaim cuireadh do Garda de O'Thuaigh!
Tugaim cuireadh do Duile de Talamh is Cloch!
Tugaim cuireadh do Morfessa de Falias!"
Translation:
"I give invitation to the Guardian of the North!
I give invitation to the Elements of Stone and Earth!
I invite Morfessa, Master of Destiny and Magick!"
Pronunciation:
"TUG-im KIR-oo gu GAAR-du gu owe HOO-ee!
TUG-im KIR-oo gu DOO-li gu TA-loo is KLOKH!
TUG-im KIR-oo gu MOR-fes-ah gu FAL-ah!

"Spirit"
The Center of the Circle is protected by the Power of the God and the Goddess and
the balance and diversity that They each manifest and control. This is the province
of the Goddess of Sovereignty, Macha, and the Horned God or the Hunter, Samhan. The
center is protected by the combined Powers of the Quarters and their Masters. A
suitable invocation of the Spirit might be:
"Tugaim cuireadh do Ana'l Fein!
Tugaim cuireadh do Duile de Anam!
Tugaim cuireadh do Grian agus Geala!
Beannachtai' DE' agus mBANDE' againn!"
Translation:
"I give invitation to the Souls of our Ancestors!
I give invitation to the Element of All Spirits!
I give invitation to the Sun and the Moon!
The Blessings of the God and Goddess be upon us!"
Pronunciation:
"TUG-im KIR-oo gu GAAR-du gu AN-aal FINN!
TUG-im KIR-oo gu DOO-li gu AN-um!
TUG-im KIR-oo gu GREE-un AG-us GYAL-a!
BAN-uck-ta JAY AG-us BAN-jay UG-een!"

"The Words of Power"

After the Guardians have been called, then the Words of Power Are Spoken and the
Rite or Sign of Three Rays is performed for each of the Quarters.

"IAO"
This is the name of the God/dess of All and is intoned three times while making the
appropriate hand gestures,

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"EEEEE-Ahhhhhh-OOOOO".
"EEEEE-Ahhhhhh-OOOOO".
"EEEEE-Ahhhhhh-OOOOO".
"Threshold Experiences"
If a portal to another plane or place is to be opened then the following Charm of
Making is to be said three times (this Charm uses the Power of Sea and Stone):
"A ELFNTODD DWYR SINDDYN DUW
CERRIG YR FFERLLURUG NWYN;
OS SYRIAETH ECH SAFFAER TU
FEWR ECHLYN MOR, NECROMBOR LLUN"

"Dragon's Breath"
If something is to be caused to happen or prevented then the following Charm of
Making is intoned three times (this charm invokes the Powers of Fire and Air):
"ANAIL NATHROCK
UTHVASS BETHUDD
DOCHIEL DIENVE"
At this point the Power has been raised. The Will of the Draoi' should be directed
and stated forcefully in the direction of greatest Power using the sign for that
Quarter. Once the work, is completed, the God/desses and Guardians should be thanked
and the Power Earthed by
lowering both hands to the ground while kneeling. The Circle is opened in the
reverse of its creation and the bounty of the Land and Tuatha
should be enjoined and enjoyed by all.
This is the end of the prepared presentation on the Charm of "Making". This and
"Pathworking" are the two most powerful abilities of a Druid.

Celtic Workshop #14 - "The Wheel of Elements or Seasons"

Forum member Freepowder noted similarities between the Plains Indian Medicine Wheels
and Fionn's Wheel from Celtics sources. His analysis and presentation on these
topics led into a discussion of other cross cultural similarities. I added some info
from a study of the indigenous peoples of the world as well as Celtic topics.
Tonight our man of many names, Freepowder, O'Ba'n,John White, Sir Freep, etc. will
give us his thoughts on the wheel and the directions as compared between the Plains
Indians and the Celts. It looks to be good!<GGG> I may have a few comments of my
own. I also have some info on thses directions compiled by a noted anthropologist,
Angeles Arriens,
for the indiginous peoples of the world. I hope we can discuss the use and meanings
of directions to all of us in our magical work.

"The Wheel of Elements or Seasons"

The world over, aboriginal religions have used the circle as a symbol of the world,
the cosmos and the spirit. Tonite I will attempt to draw some parallels between the
Celtic version, Fionn's wheel or window and the Plains Indian version, the Medicine
wheel. Both of these wheels are pictured as a circle bisected by two lines, one
vertical and one horizontal. In Plains Indian (PI from here on) the circle
represents the cycles of the earth, of learning and of life.
The lines represent the 'roads' one must travel to achieve enlightenment. The
points at which the lines intersect the circle signify the four directions, east to
the right, south at the bottom, west to the left, and north at the top. There are
qualities and totems (animal spirit guides) assigned to each direction. The totems
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and qualities
vary somewhat, tribe to tribe, and the following is an attempt to combine several,
mostly Lakota (Sioux) and Tsisistis (Cheyenne) .
East:
red, illunination, child, the sun, spring, the source of life,
eagle, hawk and birds generally
South:
yellow, innocence, youth, daylight, summer, fullness of life, snake, lizard, mouse,
horse, elk
West:
black or blue, introspection, maturity, sunset, autumn, waning of life, thunder
beings, Bear, buffalo
North:
white, wisdom, old age, night, winter, death, wolf, raven, buffalo
The PI speak of the guardians of the quarters as 'Grandfathers' or 'Grandmothers'.
Animals in mundane life are refered to as 'Little Brother or Sister.' At the center
of the wheel is,in Lakota, 'Wakan Tanka', the Great Mystery. The source of all life,
of all that is. Although Wakan Tanka is refered to as Grandfather, it has no sex, no
body, it is at once the creator and all of creation. Also at the center
is White Buffalo woman (or Sweet Medicine to the Cheyenne), the personification of
the earth, and the female aspect of Wakan Tanka.

The cycle of life as illustrated by the Medicine Wheel starts at the east. The PI
believe that as an infant a person knows all things, thus the connection with
enlightenment. As you grow into youth these things are forgotten so you may learn,
and grow, symbolised by the south and innocence. When you are mature you move to the
west and introspection. Here you take your vision quest. As you approach old age
you achieve wisdom in the north and, if you survive you return to the enlightenment
of the east.
On to the Celts!

The Celts use either a four spoked wheel, identical to the medicine wheel in
apearance or enhance the image with 'cross quarters' making an eight spoked wheel.
One differnce in the Celtic version of the Wheel, is probaly due to the variation in
weather patterns between the Britsh Isles and the Great Plains. The Britsh Isles are
around 1000 miles north of the Plains causing several things to happen. The sun,
even at midsummer will rise far further to the north in Britain. Britain's proximity
to the trade winds cause the prevailing winds to come from differnt directions.
Therefore the Celts start their journey of life in the north. The qualities of the
quarters areremarkably similar if somewhat skewed as to direction. (Note: the
animals assigned to quarters and cross quarters are approximate and individual
impressions as to what animal goes where are most important IMHO)
They are:

North:
black, winter, wisdom, clarity, death, earth, animals, minerals, fallowness,
darkness, winter solstice, salmon, wolf, the Morrigan,
East:
red, spring, inspiration, life, birth, renewal, air, birds, smell, dryness,
germination, spring equinox, otter, crow
South:
white, summer, spirit, humanity, change, power, fire, sun, light,
vegatables, summer solstice, bear, hawk,
West:
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grey, autumn, creativity, ripeness, fertility, compassion, love, emotions, hearing,
water, moon, twilight, fish, autumn equinox, stag,
hound

The cross quarters mark the seasonal festivals, have associated animals and are used
to represent the ages of mankind:

Imbolc: 31 Jan, child, eagle

Beltaine: 30 Apr, youth, sow
Lughnasadh: 31 Jul, adult, horse
Samhain: 31 Oct, elder, heron
The Celts assign Gods and Goddesses to the quarters as well. The following courtesy
of O'Dubh, and subject to interpretation. God/esses are directional <G> as follows:

North:
Master Morfessa of Falias, The Morrighan, Goibhniu, The Dagdha, Epona, Eriu, Macha
(The Land, the Lia Fal, Magick, Soveriegnty)
East:
Master Uscias of Findias Danu, Anu, Lir, Lugh, Bridget, Scathach, Ogma, Nuada (The
Invincible Sword, Wisdom, Strength, the Winds)
South:
Master Esras from Gorias The Dagdha, Lugh, Bridget, Danu (The Flaming Spear, Action,
Fire, the Sun or Shining One)
West:
Master Semias from Murias, Manannan mac Lir, The Dagdha, The Cailleach, Cerridwen,
Danu, Dianecht, Arianrhod (Rebirth, the Undry, the Sacred Cauldron, the Sea, Water)

Many of these God/desses are assigned to more than one direction because they have
more than one aspect (The Dagdha, Danu, Bridget, Lugh, the Morrighan). The best way
to associate them with a particular direction is to base their direction upon their
role in your Working or upon their use of the magickal tool involved.

The Celts have this multi-faceted diversity in the nature and directions
of their God/desses due to their travels across Europe and their incorporation of
the local Deities into the Deities of their respective clans. When they finally
stopped their travels, these Deities were then more fixed in their associated
directions and attributes. As modern day Celts, we have the use of all of these
Archetypes to aid or worship and to enrich our Magicks!
(2-21,cherokee) the cherokee say that all ancient cultures descend through
the plieades and that the druids and the cherokee have origins in atlantis the
cherokee calendar as are most medicine wheels are based on the mayan system of time.
The Dogon of W. Africa say the same. which is very similar to the celtic most
ancient cultures say they got the wheel from the stars
Also some of the first sailors to come in contact with North American Indians were
Welsh and they could converse with some of the tribes! Seemed the Indians were
speaking Welsh!<G>
(2-21,cherokee) the cherokee also claim twelve tribes came out of atlantis
when it was destroyed and populated the areas of the earth bringing this ancient
wisdom to other cultures like the 12 tribes of israel there are 12 clans in the
cherokee matrilieage. There was contact betwweeen the nordic vikings and the
indians after contact with the celts too.
(2-9,M&J) As to the NA Indians speaking Welsh, I attended a Celtic
League symposium a year or two back, and this was one of the talks. I'll have to go
back and review my notes, but as I recall this is heavily debated. The accounts go
back to a Welsh prince who supposedly sailed to America. Whether or not this is
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true is highly uncertain.
(2-8,Freepowder) The Welsh Prince was Madoc, and I believe...
he was supposed to have sailed in the 11th century.... there were records of his
sailing away.... but nothing on where he ended up....he most certainly never
returned to wales.... One possible explanation for the 'Welsh' Indians is the
occurance of grey eyes in some of the southern tribes, notably... the Choctaw and
Cherokee.... There are some similarities in the languages, but it is possible.. that
this is due to some wandering Celt .... heading east from the orient. <G>

Ok Thanks FP!<G> There are many other similarities...notably the common

belief among both sets of peoples, the Cherokees and the Celts, that springs were
doorways to the Underworlds and possessed their own spirits. There are other
similarities... The Irish have legends about the first settlers coming from the west
after a flood.
This was later Christianized to be the daughter of Noah Ceasir....but it was first
thought to be Atlantis. Also some of the alignments of the
stone circles are on the Pleides. In fact, The two major hubs of the Celtic year
are connected to when the Pleides first ascend into the constellation of Taurus That
is when Bealtaine and Samhain actually occur.
As to use in your magickal workings, given the eclectic nature of most American
Mages, introduction of the Plains Indian version of the attributes of the quarters
is allowable. Perhaps even justified given our geographical location. I personally
use the Indian colors and animals in conjunction with the Celtic God/esses. As they
used to say in the Toyota comercials, 'It just feels right.' <G>
Ok I have another set of values for directions. Then a brief discussion of future
topics. I know everyone is suffering from too much Holiday!!!<GGG>
Here's my blurb on directions: The "Four Fold Way" by Angeles Arrien a survey of
sacred directions and paths of the indigenous peoples of the world gives the
following characteristics to the directions:
North:
The Way of the Warrior, Direction of Power, Element is Air, winged creatures,
Standing Meditations, Right Actions, Dancing, instrumrnt is the rattle and season is
the Winter.
East:
The Way of the Visionary, Direction of Vision, Element is Fire, dessert and no
legged creatures, Walking meditations, Truth telling, Singing, instrument is the
bell and season is Summer.
South:
The Way of the Healer, Direction of Love, Element of Earth, All four legged
creatures, Meditating while laying down, Right Speech is the way of living, Paying
attention, Story telling, instrument is the drum and the season is Spring.
West:
The Way of the Teacher, Direction of Wisdom, Element of Water, All Water
creatures,Sitting meditations,RightTiming in life's actions, Being Open
minded to outcomes, Silence is the best wisdom, instruments are sticks and bones and
season is Autumn.

"HOW TO USE MAGICK with a Straight Face"

(C) 1989 by Scot Rhoads, all rights reserved
MYSTIC MOON Metaphysical Books, NEW MOON RISING journal & BBS
8818 Troy St., Spring Vly, CA 91977 (619) 466-8064; BBS: 466-5403
"People that eat blowfish are stupid.
People that do not eat blowfish are also stupid."
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--Japanese proverb

With the advent of the New Age, many people are airing great
new ways to change your life for the better. These ideas are
based on the premise that we have total control of our lives on
some level. All we need do is reach that level with our desires.
This is, of course, the big challenge. You can read millions of
words on that subject. Why is there so much information? Because
achieving this kind of control is a very individual thing. There
are so many different ways that each person could write his own
book. To succeed, each must find his own path. The reason there
are instructions at all, though, is because each can find
guidance in the successes of others. Magick is one of these many
guides.

This file is relatively short because it concentrates less on

the myriad details of magick and more on how to find your own
path. The task is never as easy as it sounds, but it is not
complex, either. With straight forward exercises (good, honest
work on your Self) you will achieve whatever you desire. We all
have this power. The way we use it is not by gaining a new
ability, but by getting out of the way of the ability we already
have. This book outlines the basic blocks and the kinds of things
to do about them. But, as with any advice, it is up to you to
honestly assess your own situation and discover what works best
for you. Remember, achieving your personal Power is everyone's
path in life. You will succeed, it is only a question of when.
This book is designed to bring that success more quickly and,
overall, more easily.
Many people these days still appeal to the "booga-booga"
aspect of magick: "We will grant you incredible powers to use on
whomever you please if you send us money." As we enter into the
New Age of understanding, people are learning that occult powers
are actually a natural part of everyone's life. It is our goal to
help this process along. We hope to teach newcomers what magick
is about. This book is written not only to inform, but also to
circumvent the psychological barriers set up by living in a
mechanistic society. The mechanistic paradigm (the idea that each
person and object is totally separate from the rest of the
universe except through physical interaction) precludes magick (non-physically
affecting one's environment). The magickal
paradigm states that your beliefs create your reality. This
choice is like contemplating eating blowfish-- when you analyze
it, you can conclude that adopting either paradigm is stupid.
Since you can't please everyone else, pick the one that you like
best. If (and only if) the magickal paradigm appeals to you, then
choose it. Then the trick is to get out of the mind-set that says
that magick is impossible. We hope that you will try some
exercises to prove to yourself that magick works. Once you have
done so, then you are on the way to achieving anything you
desire.
POWER
Power can be a very misleading term. The way most people mean
it is in the sense of "power-over." People recognize power as the
ability to get others to do what you want, especially when these
others have different ideas. This is not Power (with a capital
'P') at all. When you rely on someone else to do something for
you, you give your Power to him. This is very different from
doing something *with* someone, then both parties gain. But, to
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believe that you must force or trick another is to say that you
need this person to do something that you cannot. You may steal
their power (lower case) but you give away your Power.
Power is, among other things, the innate ability to bring
whatever you truly desire into your life. When you "make" others
manifest them for you, you create blocks in your own mind. These
blocks say "I cannot do this myself," which obstructs your Power.
This is "giving away your Power."

When you "take your Power," you accept responsibility for your
life. This is not guilt or martyrdom, it is honestly assessing
your life and recognizing your successes and failures. Give
yourself credit for even the smallest success and recognize that
you can overcome every obstacle. Then you allow your Power to
express itself. What you need comes to you; projects work for
you.

We often think of many obstacles as insurmountable. For

instance, many believe the lottery to be their only desperate
hope of escaping poverty. Such people give away their Power. And
why shouldn't they? Everything they've experienced tells them
this. Our whole society is rooted in the mechanistic paradigm
(all causes and effects have a physical link), which precludes a
belief in Power. How is one to know that this concept works? How
can this be real when it is so different from what we are used
to?

Our society has a concept of "Reality" as an objective

existence of which we are all a part. When two people have
different ideas of the nature of some detail, then at least one
is Wrong. We all have a fear of being Wrong. When we are Wrong we
miss out on things and people don't like us as much. Therefore we
desperately strive to be Right. It turns out that Right is what
ever those around you happen to feel that it should be. It's as
if they all took a vote when you were out of the room. But
"Right" changes all the time: from preservatives are harmless, to
preservatives cause cancer; from Stalin is a great leader, to
Stalin was a monster; from Ptolemy explains the forces of the
universe perfectly, to Newton explains the forces of the universe
perfectly, to Einstein explains the forces of the universe
perfectly. The philosophy of science this calls this evolving
better (or at least different) explanations. Yet, while these
ideas hold sway, people call them "Reality."

Just how reliable is Reality? We all live our lives using our
individual concepts of Reality to get along. We update them as we
see fit. But few will fundamentally change their concepts. We are
sure that, although we may not have the details, we certainly
have a feel for the basics. Anyone who disagrees with the
mechanistic paradigm, for instance, must be missing at least a
few marbles. Such a person is irrational in a universe that we
know to be rational.

But is the universe truly rational? Science has pursued the

mechanistic paradigm down to the smallest scale, particle
physics; here it fails to explain the universe. The building
blocks of Reality do not behave rationally. If you drive a car
from one side of a mountain to the other and you have a choice of
two tunnels, you will drive through one of them. If a single
electron has a choice of two holes in a plate to pass through, it
will go through both. You can plot the speed and position of your
car to the limit of the accuracy of your instruments, but you
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will never be able to do both to that electron.
When you observe this mythical car, it is a solid object. If
it were not, it would not be a car. If you drove it around, then
tested to see if the car were not solid and discovered that it
wasn't, what would you think? Around the turn of the century,
scientists figured out that light acts like a wave when you test
for a wave, and like a particle when you test for a particle. In the regular world
it must be one *or* the other. The two are as
mutually exclusive as a non-solid car that you can none the less
drive. Mysteriously, light was behaving like both. Eventually,
scientists concluded that light doesn't work like the universe we
are used to. The act of observing light defines its character.
This is called wave-particle duality. Later in the century,
scientists found that atomic particles, the building blocks of
all matter, behave this way, too.
Now imagine that you can find no evidence that this car
crosses the space between where you see it and where you saw it
last. Suppose the car isn't actually "there" when you're not
looking-- the act of looking brings it into "existence." What
would you think if noticed that your expectations seem to have an
effect on where it turns out to be? This is awfully strange, but
it is the kind of universe that particle physicists find.
"Looking at" a subatomic particle "brings it into existence."
Also, scientists are finding that whatever kind of particle they
expect to find in an experiment, tends to be there. This is
starting to look less like brilliant theory and more like an
effect of the observers. They are no longer separate from their
experiments. It turns out that the universe doesn't actually work
the way we've always assumed it does.
This is the nature of matter on the smallest scale, and it
doesn't make sense in every day life. This does not mean that we
should abandon our present ideas of how to live. Keep what works
("If it ain't broke, don't fix it"). Particle physics won't
affect how you drive through tunnels, for instance. But, if you
accept physics, the epitome of the mechanistic paradigm, this
means that our mechanistic ideas of how the universe works are
fundamentally incomplete. In other words, the mechanistic
paradigm is not the whole story.
Big deal. What does this mean in a practical sense? The world
seems to work just the same as it did when the mechanistic
paradigm was unchallenged. But what if our preconceptions dictate
what we are aware of? It is a common trick to set up a group of
people for startling event and see how many will overlook a
strange inconsistency. In one instance, a teacher took a student
off into an adjoining room on a pretext. There was the sound of
an argument and a crash and the student ran out through the room.
One of the other students suspected a set up and she was the only
one who noticed that the teacher's accomplice was carrying a
bone. A much more dramatic example is the story of Magellan's ships.
When the explorer landed on a particular island, the natives, who
had never seen europeans before, recognized them as funny looking
men in funny looking little boats. But Magellan soon found that
the natives were unaware of the large ships that carried them
there, though they were impossible to overlook. The natives had
seen men and small boats before, but they had never seen a large
ship. Such a thing was outside of their experience and therefore
outside of their comprehension. Their eyes must have seen the
ships, but their brains did not. The natives gathered to try to
see them, staring intently at where they supposed to be anchored.
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Soon the local shaman could discern the barest outline which he
described to the others. Eventually they could all perceive
ships.
Who can say what we make ourselves unaware of? It is only
after we've expanded our perception that we learn how limited it
was before. But we can't go around indiscriminately "expanding
our consciousness." What we choose to believe is based on our
desires. If you are happy with what you believe, the is no reason
to change. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Change is
challenging and even if you succeed, it may well be unpleasant.
But if you feel unable to overcome obstacles in your life (and
you *really* want to), then you have nothing to loose. Magick
will only expand possibilities. If it's all a crock, you've lost
nothing. If it's true, you can do anything you're willing to work
for. It is a draw-win situation. The only way you can lose is to
make your choice out of fear. Don't let the opinions of others
influence what you choose to believe. Don't give away your Power.
Everyone else is in the same situation you are, so when it comes
to your own life, there is no greater authority than yourself. If
you're interested in magick, try it and see for yourself if it
works for you.
WHAT MAGICK IS
Magick is a way of using your Power. More technically, magick is
the process of non-physically affecting your environment through
messages consciously impressed on the subconscious with a system
of symbols. (This will become clear later.) This is the broadest
definition and it can include such things as prayer, meditation,
chanting, positive thinking, subliminal tapes, programming and
hypnotism.
Some think that magick is unnatural and evil. It is no more evil
than any tool. A knife, for instance, is "good" or "evil"
depending on its use. It can be invaluable in many beneficial
projects, yet it can also harm. Nothing is immune to misuse.
People even try to use prayer against others. Such potential is
not a reason for fear, but for respect. The idea that magick is
unnatural is a modern misconception. Magic has only recently come
to mean Hollywood special effects or pulling rabbits from hats.
It is often spelled magick in order to distinguish it from this
new meaning. For millennia magick has been a path to
enlightenment and self mastery or just plain getting what you
want. It is nothing supernatural. Magick uses natural powers and
the natural flow of the universe to bring about the changes you
desire. We are so immersed in magick that, like still air, we are
unaware of it. We all use this power without thought, like
breathing. Magick is using these powers with awareness.

Magick involves placing a message of your choosing into your

subconscious. This is all that is necessary to achieve any goal.
The power of the subconscious is awesome. When you unite it with
your conscious will, you can do anything you want. Remove the
internal barriers and the external barriers melt away. Oriental
philosophy would call this "following the Tao." Achieving this is
the challenge of magick.
HOW MAGICK WORKS
How can programming the subconscious affect the world around
us? What are the mechanisms involved? According to the occult
view, it works because that is the nature of the universe.
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In the West, we use the mechanistic paradigm. A paradigm is a
pattern or model, in this case describing the way the universe
works. We use paradigms to function, usually without even
realizing it. The mechanistic paradigm is one of the most basic
that underlie our culture. This model states that there is an
objective reality in which objects interact solely through
physical contact. Science has updated this to include fields like
gravity and magnetism, but the principle is the same. The result
is a universe in which the individual is nearly powerless. You
can only make real change through physical action. Magick is the
act of making such changes non-physically, so it does not fit in
with the mechanistic paradigm.
Most westerners are unaware that the magickal paradigm
represents a majority view among the world's cultures. Basically,
it is the antithesis of the mechanistic view. It states that
there is no objective universe, only subjective universes. These
universes are the perceptions of each individual. You couldn't
possibly do any experiment that would show your universe to be
either subjective or objective. You must be an objective observer
in order to tell the difference. You are automatically a
subjective observer because you are in the universe. That's life.
At this point, there is no practical difference between these
views. The universe looks the same either way. But the magickal
paradigm also states that the universe is an expression of your
perceptions and your perceptions are that part of yourself over
which you have control. When you change your own attitudes and
preconceptions, the universe will follow. This gives an
individual as much power over the universe as he has over
himself.
Metaphysics
We obviously don't exercise infinite power. There is more to
magick than merely having a desire or belief. That is because we
have many conflicting desires and beliefs on many levels. There
is a level called, among other things, the Little Self. This
roughly corresponds to the subconscious and the super ego. The
ego, the part of ourselves which we think of as "I," is called
the Middle Self. The Little Self is the gateway to the High Self,
our connection with godhead and the universe. Infinite power lies
with the High Self, but our access is through the Little Self
which has its own ideas. The Little Self is aware of and accepts
everything around it and everything you think, even when you are
not aware. These perceptions build up very strong ideas in the
Little Self. When these ideas are different from yours (those of
the Middle Self), your ideas loose. To succeed, you must unify
your will.
Of course, people rightfully complain that even if we do
create our universe, it's still tough to make changes. That is
because there is quite a bit of inertia to ideas that have been
strongly supported since childhood (or before, if you accept
past-lives). In an extreme example, the original "Peter Pan" had
to be changed to keep from harming children. In the original
version, the characters flew because "they believed." Many
children attempted to fly and discovered the hard way that their
Little Self did not agree. Things like a belief in gravity may be
possible to overcome, but no one will argue that it's commonly
done.

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This example sounds silly because our experience of gravity is
so compelling that it seems ridiculous to consider it to be
"merely a thought construct." But another belief that is nearly
as widespread is that of poverty. This is a significantly less
daunting belief which many have overcome. As long as you believe
you are poor, you will be. This is often a very strong belief.
Many cannot even genuinely imagine themselves as being wealthy.
But, because it is not beyond reasonable comprehension, it is
possible to reprogram your Little Self-- much as it's possible
for left-handers to learn to be right-handed. Magick is an
effective way to do this.
If you are unconvinced, consider how many little messages you
heard when growing up, which you now believe on some level.
Frequent messages, especially with children, usually become true.
If you have heard all your life that you are poor or dumb or
unsuccessful, eventually you believe it and eventually it's true.
You probably know many people with an unjustifiably poor self
image. This is an image which their Little Selves accepted,
probably during childhood when they couldn't protect themselves.
That is how messages to the Little Self work against you. And the
Little Self is aware of everything, even when you are asleep. It
also believes everything it hears. So the next time that you hear
that you're not good or that you need to buy a product that you
don't really want, consciously give your Little Self a different
message. Talk to it and tell it what you want to believe. This is
what makes your universe, so make it the way you want it. When
you have a particularly powerful belief to overcome, then you
must send a powerful message. That is the role of magick.

Religion
The religious rendition of magick is prayer. Although they are
different things, the principles are similar. Techniques that are
effective for one will work very well in the other. In fact, they
use many common symbols. One could say that magick is secular
prayer.
Prayer works when "God answers it." This is entirely in line
with the metaphysical explanation. You can say that the Higher
Self is God or your connection to God. This is simply a different
way of expressing the same ineffable principles. You can adapt
anything here to fit into your views. Don't let the way these
concepts are phrased put you off. Feel free to interpret this as
much as you like in order to make it acceptable and usable to
you.
Psychology
The explanations so far require new way of thinking about the
universe, but those entrenched in the mechanistic paradigm need
not miss out. Psychology has enough respect as a science to offer
hope. If you replace Little Self with subconscious, the principle
is the same. Although there is no longer a source of infinite
power or non-physical change. But influencing the subconscious is
the next best thing in a mechanistic world.
Psychologists would say that magick directs all your
unconscious efforts toward your goal. It also eliminates those
unconscious efforts keeping you from your goal. This may not
sound like much, but it is primarily these efforts that determine
success or failure. It is easy to overlook because, for the most
part, the conscious will is the same as the unconscious will.
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Thus, we succeed at endeavors such as waking up, getting to work
on time and fixing dinner. This may seem silly, but when your
subconscious doesn't share a goal, even simple tasks are
exceptionally difficult. The power of the subconscious can either
fight you or help you. Where ever you succeed, it's almost
certainly helping. Where ever you fail, it's almost certainly
fighting.
The subconscious represents everything the mind does that we
do not think about. This involves a most of what we do. When you
are driving on a familiar freeway in good conditions, you are
usually thinking about the music on the radio or salient
problems. At such times it is your subconscious driving. If you
notice something strange in the road, it was your subconscious
that brought it to your attention. This is very helpful, but that
isn't necessarily the case. The subconscious can throw up all
kinds of barriers, preventing even the simplest tasks. It can
make you late for work when it doesn't feel like going-- you can
wake up late, feel ill, misplace car keys or even have an
accident. This influence sometimes goes to the extremes. People
can even be paralyzed by hysteria, a condition that lies entirely
within the mind. Pathological fears are another example. An
agoraphobe, for instance, can have such an extreme reaction to
being outdoors that he cannot leave his house no matter how badly
he wants to.
The subtle action of the subconscious can be almost as
profound. Even when the influence of the subconscious is
indistinguishable from chance happenings, on larger scale the
effect is dramatic. Psychologists try to ensure that experiments
are "double blind" for this reason. They must set up an
experimental group and a control group. In the latter, there is
only the single element, the target of the experiment, that is
different.

In drug testing, experimenters use placebos on a control

group. The act of administering a substance can have a profound
mental effect, even when that substance is inert, a placebo. When
they expect effective drugs, people can have great results with a
placebo. But the "placebo effect" is purely psychological. If
either the experimenter or the subject think that they know which
is being administered, that is enough to throw off the results.
The subconscious of the subject reacts to what the subject
expects. If the experimenter knows what he is administering, then
the subject's subconscious reacts to cues from the experimenter's
subconscious. This is sometimes called the "Clever Hans effect"
after a horse which seemed to be able to do math. In reality,
clever Hans but was reacting to cues from the people around him.
When someone near him knew the answer, the horse could sense that
person's expectation. It was sometime before researchers even
considered these nearly invisible clues. Although such
subconscious actions are very subtle, they can dramatically
change the results of an experiment.
The subconscious similarly affects results in your life as
well. Magick programs the subconscious to work for you. This is
not as potent as the metaphysical concept, but it will make you
as effective as you can possibly be in a mechanistic world. A
unified will directs all your efforts, conscious and otherwise,
toward your goal. Since the subconscious can present
insurmountable barriers, working out these barriers is all it
takes to be on the road to success.

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Some may be disturbed to think that magick may be
misrepresenting how it works, but that should not be a problem.
In one experiment, scientists gave placebos to a group of
subjects. After the placebos "took effect," the scientists
explained what they were. Even when the scientists made it clear
to the subjects that the placebos had no biochemical action, many
subjects still wanted a prescription for them. (It would be
interesting to see how much more effective prescription placebos
are versus over the counter placebos.) Were these people stupid?
Or were they wise to stick with something that worked?
New Science
Those that cannot extricate themselves from old mechanistic
views need an excuse to allow the placebo effect to bring them
success. Ironically, the same discipline which made magick so
difficult can now provide this excuse. Scientists are exploring
some new ideas which depart from the founding mechanistic
paradigm. Ideas consonant with the magickal paradigm show up in
Jung's synchronicity, quantum physics, the Gaia hypothesis and
the morphogenetic field hypothesis (see Rupert Sheldrake's "A New
Science of Life"). When these views obviously challenge the
traditional mechanistic paradigm, they are a source of hostility
or amusement. When the challenge is more subtle, people ignore
it. Never the less, the West is gradually turning toward a view
more in tune with magick. With greater frequency, people are
willing to consider the idea that we affect our universe on more
than just a physical level.
Scientific evidence now supports the idea of non-physically
affecting your environment. Quantum physics suggests that an
experimenter's goals seem to create whatever particle he's
looking for. The morphogenetic field hypothesis suggests that
actions affect all other actions to the degree that the
circumstances are similar. This explains why it becomes easier to
grow a certain type of crystal over time and how new animal
behaviors "jump" from one isolated population to another. Science
is continually finding support for things that metaphysicians
have said for millennia.
If your respect for science is such that you cannot take
magick seriously, do some research into these areas. If you can
find an acceptable explanation, then you can respect magick. This
respect is essential for success. But don't look for "proofs."
The concept of magick is nebulous. It's designed to explain the
way things are. "Contrary evidence" only shows that you
misunderstand. Change your definition to include the new
evidence.
Magick can never be proven wrong because it can't be pinned
down. Since it explains a subjective reality, it can never be
proven right, either. The magickal paradigm will confirm any
preconceptions, so the mechanistic paradigm will look "true" if
that is what you expect. Since it also postulates so many
unknowns in the mind, this paradigm states that what you get is
what you expected. As with so many things, you will believe if
you want to and you won't if you don't want to. But when you're
on the fence, the right explanation can help you accept the
possibility. Only then you can honestly try magick. If you
experiment with a negative attitude, it is the nature of magick
to confirm this. Magick works best for those practical enough to
be skeptical, but open minded enough to give it an honest try. If
a part of you is genuinely interested in magick, work to become
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comfortable with it. Start with simple and harmless work. Leave
the embarrassing stuff for later, after you've seen it work and
you don't care so much if your friends find out.
Avoid getting too involved in the "explanations." If you need
one, pick whichever you like. It doesn't have to be any of those
here. Each has to build his own models. In any case, reality
transcends the understanding of waking-consciousness, so any
expressible explanation is "wrong" in the traditional sense,
anyway. For a good illustration, try to "understand" wave-
particle duality in any but a mathematical sense. It's as
impossible to picture as a four dimensional cube.
However the universe "actually is," always act in a manner
that is responsible in an objective universe. If this were not
essential, people would have abandoned the objective universe
long ago. Objective or subjective, there are many empirical rules
of behavior that we all know. Magick doesn't change these rules.
Don't drive crazily because you've done a protection spell. Don't
spend unwisely because you've done a prosperity spell. Don't jump
off a building because you've done a flight spell. Remain within
these rules and you loose nothing by acting as though the
universe is subjective. You should not be doing anything you
don't want to do in the first place, because such acts are
pointless in either universe. If the universe is objective, then
you have had some harmless fun. If the universe is subjective,
then you have the chance to get anything you want. If you
approach it properly, you can't lose.
THE EMPIRICAL RULES OF MAGICK
Karma, the golden rule
So far you have read a few possible explanations of how magick
works. This is to open your mind to the fact it *can* work. But
any explanation puts a limit on the possibilities. The
possibilities which a model rules out are much harder to achieve
while you use that model. Please don't limit yourself
unnecessarily. But remember, no matter how much you may try to
believe that you can fly, it's not likely you'll succeed. The
obvious lesson here is, be careful: test the waters of your
subconscious, act responsibly (but not over cautious). Don't jump
off a cliff after your first flight spell. Don't quit work after
your first job spell. Start slow and find out how your Little
Self works before you do any life changing work.
There is a hazard so universal that you should treat it as
fact: Karma. This is the old saw of, "what goes around, comes
around." You attract things of a similar nature to what you
concentrate on (similar to morphogenetic fields). And remember,
when you concentrate on something, your Little Self does so at
least as much. The mechanistic reason for this may be "the
subconscious mind directing subtle actions to bring about
circumstances in tune with its thoughts." Metaphysicians often
explain it as "like vibrations attracting like."
Everything has a "vibration." This is similar to the vibration
of musical notes, though obviously not the same. As with musical
notes, one vibration can start a sympathetic vibration. One
vibrating piano string will start similar strings vibrating.
Karma is the word for this principle in magick. There is a
certain vibration associated with any act. If you hit someone,
the emotions and actions involved are of a certain vibration.
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This will tend to attract things of a similar vibration,
primarily violent acts. You will tend to attract someone to hit
you. It turns out that everything you do to others you
essentially also do to yourself, and vice versa. It sounds trite,
but being nice to others and yourself truly makes the world a
better place for everyone.
It doesn't matter how you understand karma, or even if you
believe in it-- you are warned. Many people don't believe. The
action of karma, particularly on such people, is often too slow
to notice. It can easily take lifetimes for a soul to work
through karma. But the soul will, so avoid bad thoughts. This is
impossible, but you will get better with practice. Each
unpleasant thought has a negative effect on you and others. This
brings negative things into your life. This is pretty rotten, but
remember that each positive thought brings positive things-- that
can be pretty good. In any case, you needn't respect karma to
find yourself a happier person for trying to live this way.
If you are just learning about karma, you will probably find
that it is now a little more obvious in your life. But sometimes
it's difficult to figure. If you do a spell to heal someone, you
would expect to be attracting good things. But what if
immediately afterward you receive a transfer back home to live
near your scummy relatives? Hardly fair! Yet that's the kind of
result you can expect if you do anything to a person without
permission. People have enough difficulty with their own Little
Selves, it's nearly impossible to divine the desire of someone
else's. The most beneficent act could violate someone's will on
some level. If the person asks you, then you are free to act.
But, even if you are absolutely sure that the person would want
it, if he hasn't asked you, don't do it.
Another fantastic example is the love spell. Do a spell to
attract the kind of person you want, not a specific person.
Exercising your will on others without their consent is always
nasty-- doing so magickally has an even higher cost. Watch
yourself. Many people working with magick do so under a
"threefold law." This means that any karmic response is tripled.
This is to keep people particularly scrupulous when they are
fooling around with this stuff. Take it seriously.
Know Thyself
Karma is best described by the golden rule, "Do unto others as
you would have them do unto you." The other major rule of magick
is just as common place, "Know thyself." This is essential
because of the Little Self. Magick is the science of expressing
your will. Because there are many aspects to your will, it
follows that you must be aware of all these aspects to be an
effective magician.
"Know thyself" means be aware of the thoughts and feelings of
your Little Self. Learn how it feels about the things you want.
Learn it's beliefs. You must know your starting point to
effectively change negative beliefs. To do this, you have to pay
attention to all the subconscious cues that your Little Self
gives you. Explore your feelings, keep track of your dreams, look
at your past. One of the best clues is your own life. If you
create everything on some level, then part of you "wants" each
thing in your life. You must not deny this, but work with it. The
goal is healing because destruction is at best temporary.

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Different desires on other levels interfere with your
conscious desire. Your Little Self picks them up everywhere. You
must be aware of this so that you can counteract it. Every ideal
commonly in the mass media impresses itself strongly. When
Madison Avenue spreads the word that young and thin are the
ideal, your Little Self will accept this if you are not careful.
If you are not young and thin, this message undermines your sense
of self worth. The resultant sense of undeserving works against
your success. There is so much exposure to these messages that it
is a real battle to avoid them. Particularly in childhood, when
we can't protect ourselves, others deeply ingrain ideas that can
be with us for life. You must work hard to discover these
feelings and counter act them. If part of you feels undeserving,
genuine success seems impossible.

There are other aspects to this problem. Not only might you
feel undeserving, but you could even desire failure. There are
many reasons for this, usually based in childhood. Whatever the
cause, you must look at your failures to see if there might be
some reward. Many people are subject to chronic illness, for
instance, because of the attention they get or an unpleasant
situation they avoid. If you really want to succeed, you must
consciously release your desire for the rewards of failure.
You must also look at the fear of success. Many times we do
not consider the problems associated with what we are striving
for, but the Little Self does. It may be afraid of the
responsibility of a better job or a new spouse. Think through
your goals very carefully. What would life be like if you had
what you desire? You will have to address any new tasks and
responsibilities. You will have to be aware of any sacrifices.
Once you are sure that you want not only your goal, but the
sacrifices and responsibilities that go with it, then release
your fears. People fear change, because it is unknown. You must
be aware that you are taking a leap and welcome it. Have faith in
your Self. When you know your Little Self well enough, you will
be able to trust that it will bring you what you desire. When you
don't know it that well, work on that. If you fail, it's time to
work harder.

When you and your Little Self have the same goals, and you
have healed all the blocks to your success, you *know* that what
you want is coming. When you know, you do not feel desperate. If
you are feeling desperation, you are blocking. In that case, back
to work! When you have worked hard enough, then you are ready for
the easy part, the spell or ritual. When you enter ritual you
should know what you want and why you want it. You should have
healed all feelings of failure and undeserving and you should
know that your spell will bring it. Work to cultivate this
feeling of calm expectation, it is an important key. When you do
a ritual, you will release all the power you have built to do its
work on the universe. You should not even have to think about it
again.

Once you achieve this, though, there is another caveat. Many

people have something unpleasant happen to them and later
realized that they had asked for it. "Be careful what you ask
for, you just might get it." Always think carefully about what
you want and how you ask for it. Once again, solid background
work is the key.

USING MAGICK

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Magick is a field with many different disciplines. There is
sympathetic, Earth, Ceremonial, Enochian, Celtic, Egyptian and
Kabbalah magick just to begin. These are occasionally different
in their basic techniques, but mostly they differ in the symbols
they use to achieve their goals. The principles are the same,
however. Whichever form you prefer, it is how you observe these
principles that determines your success. Beyond that, it is only
personal preference.
Preference is very important, too. It is your Little Self that
you are addressing, and it is as individual as you. You must
learn what works best for you. The first clue is what appeals to
you most. Once you find the best methods for you, you build your
own personal magickal system. It is up to you to find these
methods, through research and experimentation. There is so much
information that it is impossible to give more than a sample
here. The information in this book is enough to get started. It
is your work that will complete it. If you are happy with what
you get on your own, you need never open another book. But you
must at least pay constant, careful attention to your work to
fine tune it. As with anything, the more work you put in, the
better your success.
The first principle is to take what you're doing very
seriously. This is not so easy when you're struggling with
society's negative attitudes. Ignore any intrusive thoughts you
might have. Concentrate on what you are doing. You must passively
avoid any distractions. Do not try to actively avoid them for
that usually becomes an even bigger distraction. As long as you
enter with the right attitude, the rest will come with practice.
Magickal ritual is a very special thing. You must set it apart
from your ordinary functions. When you do this, your Little Self
is aware that you have that an important message to give it. Not
only is the message less cluttered by stray thoughts, but it
proceeds more directly to the Little Self. The more special
things you have surrounding your ritual, the more effective it
is. (As long as you don't have so much that these things become a
distraction in themselves.)
Pick a time when you are relaxed and awake and not under the
influence of any drugs (e.g., alcohol or medication). Take the
phone off the hook and see that you are not disturbed. Create a
"sacred space" that is only for ritual. If you can set up a
regular time or place which you use for nothing other than
ritual, this is ideal.
Before you begin, take a bath or at least wash your hands and
use this to symbolically wash away all other thoughts and
distractions in your mind. Relax your body and mind. Remove
watches and tight clothes. Make sure the time of the ritual is
clearly separated from your usual day. Use a symbolic act like
knocking three times to open and close the ritual. Anything that
you can add to the ambience will help: incense, special or no
clothing, candle light, silence or meditative music (or whatever
music is appropriate to the spell-- be careful of any lyrics!).
If you know a second language that you don't ordinarily speak,
such as hebrew or latin, you may want to use this. Alternatively,
you can use the Thee's and Thou's of archaic english.

During the ritual, concentrate on your goals. Make sure that

your ritual is not so long that you can't keep your mind focused!
It is better to repeat a ritual over days or weeks than to have
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an enormously long one in which you spend most of your time
thinking about balancing your checkbook. Know what you will do
before you start. You may ad lib, but your purpose must be
completely clear before you start. Don't be surprised, however,
if a ritual goes differently from expected. You may, for
instance, gain an insight as you work that seems unrelated to
your goal. It is important to consider this! It may be the key to
what you are trying to achieve. It may also be a distraction, so
be aware.

The Attitude

Since magick is the science of controlling your Self, the

entire key is in attitude. Not only must you take it seriously,
but you must also cultivate the right feelings. You must want and
expect your goal.
Wanting seems easy, but this is deceptive. That is because the
many facets of a personality often want different things. You
must unify your desire just as you must unify your will. A person
who grew up abused may learn, on some level, to associate this
with love. That person's Little Self will seek out abuse as an
expression of love. It will want abuse even if the individual
does not. Changing the desire of the Little Self to that if the
individual is the challenge.
An even bigger challenge is that of expectation. According to
the magickal paradigm, you not only get what you want, but you
get it in the way that you expect it. Thus, if you do a spell for
money and you think "I'll never win the lottery," the money
cannot come that way. If the spell is to work, the money must
come from another source, such as finding a better job. Too often
we rule out all possibility. When you do a spell, you know that
has already worked. If you do not know this, it has not worked.
This is the ideal. It may well take some time before you work up
to this point.
For these reasons it's usually best to start slow. Remember,
to be completely successful, you have to want and expect on every
level. Begin with a project easier than levitation! Work your way
up to something life changing only after you have proven
yourself. And don't look for dramatic results. Don't rule them
out, of course-- you can win the lottery or even have ET hand you
a suitcase of money. But remember, this is dealing in what you
believe, and people rarely believe that dramatic things can
happen to them.
Look at magick as an extra push-- something to make the random
events break your way. In addition to magickal means, strive for
your goals on the earthly level. Preliminary results usually tend
toward things like improved success in your ordinary pursuits:
business picking up, a bonus, getting that job interview. Also,
the energy you put into these mundane efforts also supports your
magickal work. Even if you concentrate on winning a lottery, you
must at least buy a ticket. All your efforts help to build
expectation and gives a very strong message to the Little Self.
Affirmation
The message you give to your Little Self is the most important
aspect of Magick. The whole process is communicating the right
message. Desire and expectancy are the two most important
messages. But often these do not get across. The Little Self has
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the understanding of a child. There are certain messages that
work well and quite a few that work disastrously. You must learn
how to talk to your Little Self.
The Little Self understands images and feelings; it does not
understand negatives or time. When you say "I will not fail," the
image in your mind is that of failure. The message to another
person would be what you mean, because they understand the
negation, "not." The message to the subconscious is "I will
fail." Never, never, never use a negative when talking to your
Little Self.
If you change your message to, "I will succeed," you still
have a problem. Since the Little Self does not understand time as
we do, it will perpetually see success as being in the future.
Success will never arrive. The proper message would be, "I
succeed." This is not the way we are used to thinking, but it is
necessary for magickal work. Always formulate your goals this way
when you begin a ritual or spell. In addition, the more you think
in this way in everyday life, the more powerful will be the
positive messages to your Little Self.
Visualization
The images which you give your Little Self are even more
important. It is the images which your words conjure that
actually do the communicating. When you choose your goal, you
should try to choose one or more images to represent it. The
image must include you in it, either see yourself in a scene or
picture it as if looking out of your eyes. The scene should
represent to you exactly what you desire.
The more you imagine in your scene, the better. Details,
smells, sounds and textures all help enormously. The scene is
most effective when it brings up all the emotions that you would
feel if you were actually there. A drawing or picture is a good
aid. Surround yourself with as many things you can find that make
you think of your goal. Imagine you have what you want and know
you have what you want. That is a successful ritual.

Symbols
Over the millennia, people have discovered symbols which speak
to the Little Selves of nearly everyone. Various sets of symbols
form the foundation of the many different schools of magick. They
are often culturally oriented. Because our culture is far removed
from its magickal symbols, each must discover his own. There are
myriads of occult books that offer as many different symbols as
you could want. If you are interested, research them. Look first
to your religion or ethnic background for your symbols. Mythology
and astrology are also good sources.
One kind of symbol is the magickal tool. This is a physical
object which you have consecrated for magickal work. If you have,
for instance, a cross or star which you want to use for
protection, you must empower the object for that purpose in a
ritual. You will direct you will, through statement and
visualization, into to object. From then on it is a constant
tangible reminder to you and your Little Self. Treat it with the
greatest respect.
When you want to use a symbol, first explore your feelings as
you look at it. If it conjures the feelings you want, then use
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it. With symbols from a source, try do this before you read what
the "authentic" meaning is. Sometimes you can get new information
by not prejudicing yourself. Be careful if the meaning is very
different, though. If you are not entirely in tune with your
Little Self (and few beginners are), you may be missing something
that will affect your spell.
Chakra
To give you an idea of what to look for and a sample to try,
here is a simple set of symbols based on the Chakra. Chakrum
(singular) is Sanskrit for wheel, although vortex would be a
better word. Chakra refers to points in the body where certain
energies localize. These types of energies correspond to many
different things: herbs, stones, times, planets, moods, political
beliefs. It is possible to relate anything to a chakrum. This
chart gives points on the body, one of the many color schemes and
how one experiences these energies. This becomes useful when you
seek a reinforcing energy. You can use this chart to decide where
to apply a magickal oil or what color is best to use in a given
project.
RED ROOT Physical Health and Energy
ORANGE SPLEEN Sexual and Reserve Energy (Second Wind)
YELLOW SOLAR PLEXUS Mental and Emotional Energy
GREEN HEART Love, Prosperity, Fertility, Growth
BLUE THROAT Command, Creation, Will, Expression
INDIGO BROW Magick, Psychic Energy
LAVENDER CROWN Spirituality
WHITE Positivity, all colors combined, the Universal Deity (God)
BLACK absorbs negativity
PINK Filial Love, "Agape" (look it up)
BROWN Earthiness, Grounding, Hearth & Home
GOLD Wealth
TEMPLES Thoughts, mind

The blue is a very light blue. Indigo is a very dark blue, like navy blue.
Lavender is a mixture of the colors and the energies of red, indigo and white. It
is a very light color which you might be able to see at the edge of a gas flame.
The root chakrum is at the base of the spine. The spleen is a few inches higher
and to your left or along the spine (your choice). The Solar Plexus at the
navel (there is a major nerve nexus here). The Brow or Third Eye Chakrum is
associated with the pineal gland. On the skin, the point is on the brow between the
eyes. The crown is the top of the head, associated with the fontanelle (soft spot).
If you use something black (like obsidian) to absorb negativity, be sure to wash
it occasionally to get rid of the negativity. When you burn a black candle, this
creates a vacuum. This may be filled by for negativity unless you also burn a
white candle to bring in positive energy.
EXERCISES
Magick is not just an occasional exercise to bring what you
want, it is a way of life. It requires a certain kind of
relationship with your Self. This does not preclude any kind of
life style or religion, it is entirely separate. It isn't what
you do but why and how you do it. Magick demands that you love
and respect your Self and that you accept your Power. This is the
goal. "Getting what you want" is a small bonus.
Building a magickal relationship with your Self is much like
building one with a best friend. You learn all you can about its
beliefs and feelings. You help heal it and it helps you. You
achieve this through communication and love. You love through
learning acceptance. You communicate by learning and listening to
the language of the Little Self.
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Dreams
The Little Self expresses itself most clearly in dreams. You
should keep a regular dream diary. Have a journal handy by the
bed. As soon as you wake up in the morning, write down as many
details as you can. If you scribble down notes, transcribe them
into a clear, coherent text. If you remember no dreams, write
this down. You should have an entry for every day that you sleep.
It is best to record them in present participle (e.g., "I dream
that I am writing in my journal").
Once you have a dream recorded. Consider it and write down
your impressions. How does it make you feel? To what does it
pertain? What symbols are there? What does it tell you about
yourself and your life? After you have considered these things,
you may choose to look up the possible meaning in a dream
dictionary. It is best to do this afterward because someone
else's interpretation could prejudice your own. The advantage is
that many dreams are "contrary." Such dreams actually mean the
opposite of what they seem to on the surface. A dictionary can
help jog your awareness. Once you've tried on your own, it's not
a bad idea. Remember, though, your impressions are the most
significant.
You can make great progress during your dreams as well. The
more control you have in your dreams, the more Power you have in
your life. Try to develop this control. Remind yourself each time
before you go to bed that you will remember your dreams and
exercise your will in them. The ideal is called a waking or vivid
dream. In this you are consciously aware that you are dreaming
and everything, especially color, is very clear. The most
important thing to remember in a dream is to defeat everything
that attacks you. Attackers represent those things afflicting you
during the day. Don't let them beat you in your dreams. If you
need help, call for it. When victorious, make the attacker give
you a gift. The gift is the benefit that you can gain from any
situation. Defeat your dream monsters and you gain power to face
your real monsters.
From your dreams you can learn what your Little Self desires
and fears. You can also gain powerful symbols for your work.
These are all highly personal and it is up to you to divine this
information. But, don't try to interpret too much. Much of what
you dream is reviewing the events of the day and other items of
no great insight. Look at all your dreams and discover which ones
hold meaning for you. Don't worry when you don't understand. Your
Little Self will keep trying when it has something important to
tell you. As long as you keep listening, you will progress.

Diary
You should also keep a daily diary. It too, is a line to your
Little Self. Use this to record the events of the day and your
thoughts and feelings. These will reflect what is going on inside
you. Use it also for introspection. You must do a lot of soul
searching to learn about your Little Self, this is most effective
when written.
It is even more important to track the progress of your
magickal work. Each time you do a spell or ritual record your
goal, your feelings before and after and your methods. Before you
get to this point, you should also have explored all your
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feelings associated with it. Then pay careful attention to all
that happens to you (part of the reason for the daily diary).
Often, a spell will work and we will not even notice.
Since magick works with what we believe, things come to us in
the way we expect or allow. When you do a healing, it will tend
to look entirely natural, rather than miraculous. If you do a
prosperity spell, receiving a tax refund check the following
month could be the universe's response. Keep an eye out for any
hint of possible results. Even the weakest indication is very
positive. It may not be enough to satisfy, but it means that you
are being effective. If you keep working, you will be able to
improve until you achieve the result you desire. When you give
yourself credit for even the smallest success, you build the
relationship between you and your Little Self.
Pendulums
Another good way of communicating with your Little Self is
through pendulum work. You can use any object on a string, but if
it holds significance for you, so much the better. Hold your arm
steady and think about the pendulum swinging forward and back. It
should eventually begin to do so without you *consciously* moving
your arm. Next change the movement to left and right by thinking
about it. Once you can do this with facility, assign "yes" to one
direction and "no" to the other. If you choose forward and back
as "yes," alternate thinking the direction and thinking the word.
Eventually, even when you start cold, the pendulum will swing
forward and back when you think "yes." Repeat with the word "no"
for the opposite direction. Now you have a way of talking with
your Little Self. You can ask it questions directly.
Eventually, you can even get your Little Self to spell words
by holding the pendulum over a semicircle with the alphabet on
it. The direction of swing will indicate each letter. Another
method is automatic writing. With this you hold a pen and relax
and let "it" do the writing. (This may sound like an Ouija board,
but it is not. Do not try to use one for this purpose or vice
versa.) Whatever method you use, be careful. Your Little Self
wants to please you. It will tend to give you the answer you
want. Make sure you want the truth and that your Little Self
understands this. Always be friendly, as you would with a child.
Praise success and don't berate failure. After all, it is only
trying to please. As usual, this requires regular work over time,
but eventually you can have such a good understanding that you
need no tools. You will simply "know" how your Little Self feels.
This is the ideal.
Meditation
Another way to achieve this awareness is through meditation.
This is a method of calming the conscious mind. There many
physical benefits from the stress reduction alone. It also allows
your inner thoughts and feelings to express themselves. All the
skills you learn in meditation are very useful in magick. Not
only is it a line of communication with the little self, but it
teaches you to quiet the conscious mind which is essential in
ritual. You would do well take instruction in a meditation
technique such as yoga or self-hypnosis.
If you are learning this on your own, observe these rules:
Relax your body consciously and completely. You must be in a
comfortable, calm environment to do this properly. Starting at
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your feet, think about each part of your body and let it relax.
It may help to tighten the muscles first. Use a cue to tell your
mind to relax. This can be something like mentally going down
stairs or counting backwards. [Do not use a common cue. For
instance, "three, two, one" is something that you might encounter
on the radio while driving. This could be dangerous. It would be
better to use, "three, three, three, two, two, two, one, one,
one." This is less likely to cause a problem. It is dangerously
easy to get into a meditative state during automatic tasks like
driving. This you must avoid.] Once relaxed, you can use this
state to allow subconscious thoughts to float to the surface, or
you can use it in ritual to give a powerful message to your
Little Self. This mental state is another key to magick.
You will find that it is very difficult to focus your
conscious mind at first. See how long you can hold one word or
picture in your head without any other thought. It is probably an
astoundingly brief time. Watch commercials to see how many
seconds they show one unchanging scene. This represents the
average attention span. This is one of the reasons that magick is
so difficult, you must remain focused for the entire ritual. Be
aware of you concentration span. While it is short, you should be
working short rituals. It is better to have three five-minute
rituals than one half-hour ritual if you spend twenty minutes of
the latter thinking of other things.
In order to improve your concentration, spend some time each
day trying to hold a word or picture as long as possible. Another
good exercise is to pick a word and try *not* to think of it for
a week. Count how many times you think the word in your head, if
you think it again when counting it, count that instance, too.
This is very difficult, but eventually you will even be able to
hear or see the word without thinking it.
These skills immediately become useful in communicating with
your Little Self. You will want to hold positive thoughts, such
as "I am a loveable, successful person." You will want to dispel
negative thoughts, as when the T.V. tells you, "I was very
unpopular until I started using Crealm Toothpaste!" When you are
trying to reprogram your Little Self, feel free to use aids such
as subliminal tapes. Another good one is colored cards. Place
your simple, direct message, such as "I succeed," on a colored
card where you will see it each day. Put small pieces of the same
color where you will encounter them throughout the day. Each time
a bit of card comes in your field of view, your Little Self will
notice and remember the message, even when you don't.
Symbolic acts are also very powerful. When you clean out your
house and get rid of everything that you don't *need,* you make
way for new things to come into your life. This is a good thing
to do in concert with a major change in your life, quitting
smoking or graduation, for instance. It helps to tell your Little
Self that your old life is over and your new one has begun. The
more you can eliminate the symbols of your old life, the more you
can shape your new life to your liking. Be aware of all that you
do, for you can use ordinary acts to give messages to your Little
Self. Your morning shower can be a ritual to "wash away" all your
stress or yesterday's mistakes. If you do this, however, you must
*make* it a ritual. Develop a routine and concentrate on the
purpose of the act throughout. This is true of all magickal
works.
Once you have begun this work to focus your conscious mind and
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reprogram your Little Self for success, then you can begin some
small works of magick. You want to start small because most
people have difficulty accepting a great success on a deep level.
If start with a spell to win one million in the lottery and you
are not ready for this, your failure will set you back. If you do
prosperity spell and you get a small raise or win $10 in the
lottery, that is a start that you can build on.
One of the better starting goals is manifesting an
insignificant object. Manifesting means bringing it into your
life. Things tend to manifest in unremarkable ways, so keep a
look out. The blue feather is a classic. Set up a ritual in which
you concentrate on a blue feather. See it, feel it, smell it,
want it, then let it go. Then pay attention for the following
week (and keep track in your journal). You may find a blue
feather on the side walk. You may notice one for the first time
on a billboard that you pass every day. You may see one on T.V.
All of these are successes.
It is best to start with insignificant, uncommon (but not
rare) objects. An uncommon object gives you a good indication of
success. A rare object is a challenge you can work up to. An
insignificant object is easier because you do not have
interfering desires or fears. You have to be relaxed and
confident and let go of your desire as you complete the ritual.
You should be able to manifest such an object before you proceed
to a greater challenge. It is valuable to repeat this exercise
every so often in any case.
Another good spell to start with is a spell to do good spells.
That is, you can use magic to help remove blocks and fears. For
instance, if you have discovered that you feel unworthy, this
will seriously impair your ability to manifest what you want.
But, you can use your desire for self worth to empower magickal
work toward feeling worthiness. You can also do a spell to
support your ability to concentrate on your goal. This is just an
extension of all the other methods of getting messages to your
Little Self.
When you discover blocks and fears, when thoughts intrude and
your mind wanders, or when you find yourself thinking exactly
what you're supposed to avoid, don't worry! This happens as you
learn to control your will. The idea is not to avoid these
problems, but to *learn* to avoid them. You can't do this by
trying to force yourself. There are no instructions on how to do
this, only exercises. Just do your stuff and the rest will
follow. When problem surfaces, recognize it and go on. Don't try
to stop it and don't dwell on it, just continue. You may know
that you have "spoiled" a ritual with a stray thought, but
complete it anyway-- it's a good exercise. Sometimes you can deal
with stray thoughts by *trying* to think about them. Concentrate
on these thoughts and let your mind tire of them, then go on with
your work.
Work steadily, but not overly hard, on these exercises and
make magick a part of your life. Unify your will. Take and prove
your Power. Only after you have done this are you ready to do
magick. When you feel you are ready, develop the messages and
visualization which will be the most powerful for you. Decide how
you are going to set up your ritual area and how you will
orchestrate your spell. Whatever you feel best with is what will
be the most powerful. If you need an idea of how to start,
consider the examples that follow.
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SPELLS
Once you have discovered and addressed your blocks, you are
ready to do a spell. This is only a little different from what
you have already been doing. In a spell you do nothing new, you
do it differently. A spell is a ritual, an act carefully planned
to have the greatest effect. You must do the planning, for only
you know what will be the most effective ritual. Plan carefully
and completely. You may want to use a script (it would be best to
memorize it). You can ad lib once you're more experienced. At
this point, you have enough information to develop more powerful
rituals than you are likely to encounter in any book. However,
since this is so different from what most of us are used to, here
are some samples to give you a starting point. Feel free to use
and change these rituals as you please. They are here to give you
an idea of how you may want to approach things.
The ritual starts in a special place. It could be out in the
woods or in a special room. Ideally, you would never use this
place for anything but ritual, but this may be impossible. If in
the home, choose a quiet time and unplug the phone. Make sure
that you are not disturbed.
Before the ritual, carefully clean and arrange the area and
take a bath or wash your hands. Think about washing away the days
thoughts and cares. You are now ritually purified. You should not
engage in any mundane activity until after the ritual. Enter your
ritual area and knock three times, to mark the beginning. From
this point all your thoughts are on the ritual. Don't do anything
automatically. No matter how familiar, think about every action
and what it means.
Light candles and incense (only if there is no danger of
fire!). Imagine the ritual area surrounded in a circle of white
light. You may physically trace this circle to reinforce it.
(Traditionally, all such movements are clockwise when invoking
and counterclockwise when dispelling.) Repeat an act of
purification. This is like the bath only more symbolic. You can
hold your hand in the incense smoke and touch water from a ritual
cup to your forehead, for instance. Next, relax and aum-- that is
chant the mantra "ohhmmm" (or whatever works for you) to bring
your mind to the proper state of alert relaxation, ready for
work.
At this point you will state your will. Tell your Self and the
Universe how you choose it to be. This is not merely
verbalization, during ritual your word is law. What you say, is.
Feel your statement with your entire being, with every sense. Use
all the techniques that you have found effective. Then, let the
feeling go. It is going out into the universe to do its work. End
your expression with a statement like, "According to free will
and for the good of all." This helps to avoid problems with
karma, as long as you mean it. Do not allow other thoughts to
intrude at this point, it is now time to close the ritual.
Imagine removing the white light circle (counterclockwise).
Knock three times to end the ritual. Put out the candles, clean
each item and put it carefully away in a special place. The
ritual is only finished once you have completed all of these
steps. Only then can you resume thinking about what's on the T.V.
and how big a jerk your boss it. As a beginner, you should always
be prepared to go through this entire procedure before you start.
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Even in an emergency, you should at least remove the white circle
and knock (very quickly, perhaps, but do at least this much when
possible). Nothing in a ritual is mundane, so it must be clearly
delineated from your mundane actions. Otherwise you will dilute
your spell and give the wrong messages to your Little Self. When
ritual is obviously separate, your Little Self will know when to
pay close attention.
Once finished, do not talk about your work. Silence is another
important key to magick. If you discuss it with anyone else, they
cannot help adding their thoughts. This is almost always
detrimental. It is fine to work with people, then your energies
multiply. But never talk about specific spells that you have
done.
Destroying Your Enemies
This is one aspect of magick that attracts many. It is a big
mistake! Karma will get you every time. Don't try to rationalize.
Though you may be able to put it off, you will not escape karma.
In the mundane world, you might justifiably do violence in order
to defend yourself or another from physical attack. In magick,
this justifies only defense, never attack. Don't imagine yourself
to be an agent of karma or a martyr saving others at your own
expense. Who ever has done you wrong will get his. It's
frustrating to wait and we all want to be there when it happens,
but it is never worth trying to make it happen.
When you have any kind of relationship, particularly a
magickal one, you develop a karmic tie. You will want to avoid
such ties with people you don't like. Even if you get the best of
such a person, he will still drag you down. It's difficult to
resist when you feel that the person owes you. If you have been
swindled and left with no legal recourse, it's tempting to use
magick to get your money back. Trying to get even will develop a
tie with this person and probably set you up for some bad karma.
Don't worry about the money, either. You can get that from
anywhere (see "Prosperity"), In seeing this swindler as your only
source you give your Power to him. If you are brave, you can
demand justice in such a situation. This incurs no karmic debt,
but you, too, can expect justice. Not very many people genuinely
want this. Most prefer mercy because we have all done plenty of
things that we would rather not have to pay for. If you want
mercy, you must extend it to others. When you ask for justice,
all your debts present themselves. If you survive, great, but it
won't be fun. There are much safer ways of dealing with nasty
people.
Protection
Psychic attack can be a real problem because it is so
prevalent. When you make someone angry, the person is attacking
you. Simply directing angry thoughts is a psychic attack. (This
incurs bad karma, so learn to avoid this yourself!) We all have
natural defenses, so these attacks seldom have an effect. But if
someone has ability, or if he concentrates a lot of energy, you
are likely to suffer. Psychic attack usually comes in through the
neck and manifests as a headache. As you become a better
magician, you will be more sensitive to the energies around you.
You become more vulnerable to psychic attack. You also become
better able to defend yourself as long as you remain alert. This
work will also help protect you from physical threats. Keep in
mind that, though magic may help, you must still act responsibly!
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Affirmations: I am now safe and secure. All negative influences
are reflected off me into the Earth to be healed. I allow only
the positive into my life.

Visualizations: See an egg of white light around you-- because

this keeps in negative energy, also see it filled with violet
light, which will turn the negative to positive. Another good
visualization is three concentric circles around you (or whatever
you wish to protect) of white (outside), blue (middle) and pink
(inside). Also, you can imagine a mirror at the back of the neck
or encasing the whole body, reflecting outward.

Other: Religious symbols are especially good for this work.

Purification

Remember that the things you have in your life are those that
you have drawn to you. When someone upsets you, he usually has a
lesson to teach you. If you can learn this lesson, you can escape
the situation. If you escape without learning your lesson, you'll
probably be in a similar situation soon. Sometimes people often
make us angry by reflecting a part of our personality that we are
unhappy with. Also, the negative vibrations we pick up during our
everyday lives attract negative things. The purpose of the ritual
bath is to remove such influences. It is also a good idea to do
an entire spell for purification. This is not only good to do on
yourself, but also your home and wherever else you spend much
personal time.

Affirmations: The white light cleanses me of all negative

thoughts and energies. Only positive feelings remain in me. I
release all negative vibrations into the Earth to be healed.
Visualizations: See yourself being washed clean by white or
violet light from above you (your High Self). Each time you
inhale, take in pure white light. When you exhale, release all
your negativity. See this negativity go down into the earth to be
healed.

Other: Place a piece of rock salt under your tongue. Use incense
smoke or water to cleanse yourself. Again, religious symbols are
very effective.

Love

You must take love spells very seriously, for they are quite
dangerous. Never, never, never do a love spell on an individual.
This is often a great temptation, but don't even risk the
possibility of imposing your will on another. The karmic results
are severe. Even if you succeeded, you would still lack real
love, for you would have to continually renew the spell to keep
the person. What you want, among other things, is someone to help
express your love for yourself. As you will often hear, you must
love yourself first. This isn't a problem, for you already love
yourself-- that is the main reason you are alive. The problem is
when you block that love. Eliminating these blocks is the Soul's
goal. But don't despair, you needn't actually remove them to draw
love to you. Just beginning the work can attract that special
someone who will help.

Affirmations: I am a perfect manifestation of love and I draw

love to me. I now allow love to come into my life. I feel and
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express perfect love and draw other loving people into my life.
Visualizations: Picture yourself as a magnet, feeling and drawing
love. Imagine yourself bathed in green or pink or orange light,
depending on your goals. Pink is for filial love (agape) and for
that of a lover. Orange is for the sexual aspect (spleen
chakrum). Green is for both (heart chakrum). But the distinctions
are somewhat blurred, for love is a combination of all of these.
Other: Friday is the day of Venus and the waxing to full Moon is
a time of increase, so these are good times for ritual. The
ubiquitous heart symbol can be useful.
Prosperity
Money is not all there is to prosperity. What do you want the
money for? What kind of life do you want to live? What do you
want to have? Keep these goals in mind. You may get them instead
of the money.
As you work though your blocks to prosperity, you will
probably find that one of the biggest is guilt. Our society
functions under the assumption that a person can only gain at the
expense of others. Don't try to get money by taking it from
others through force or fraud, magickally or otherwise. That is
giving your Power away. In the magickal paradigm, you create.
When you understand this, there is no greed because you can have
whatever you desire and without taking from others. It is not
money that is a root of evil, but the love of money. It doesn't
matter how much you get, but how you get it. When you do a
prosperity spell, it should be a joyful expression of the
infinite supply available to you. If you are begging or hopping
to be rescued, you have more background work to do.
Another aspect to remember is that money, like all other kinds
of energy, flows. In order to get it, you have to spend it. There
must be an outflux for there to be an influx. This is not an
excuse to be irresponsible! It is easy for the flow to be too
much in either direction (especially out!). Don't be miserly or
wasteful, remember the flow. Use each bill you pay to remind you
that you've drawn the money to pay it and that more money will
come to take its place.
Affirmations: I allow prosperity to manifest itself in my life in
great abundance. I draw from the infinite source all the money I
need and more. In my life, I now express the infinite supply of
wealth around me.
Visualizations: Imagine yourself bathed in green light (heart
chakrum). This is a situation where visualization works
particularly well, because it's a tangible object. You can even
use a picture or model of the new home or car you want.
Other: Good times for a prosperity ritual are Thursday, the day
for increase, and during the waxing Moon. The $ (or approriate
regional symbol) has a great deal of power-- consider using it.
Health & Self Improvement
Your body is the most direct expression of your Little Self.
It is one of the most accessible, yet challenging things to
change. If you can find and address the root causes of health
problems, like heat disease, it is often relatively easy to do
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something about them. But self image problems can be very
difficult because of the way our society approaches the subject.
Over weight is a good example of a self image problem. Madison
Avenue bombards us with an ideal of beauty. It is almost
impossible to escape. If you are over weight and unhappy about it
for other than health reasons, you are probably a victim of this.
It is dangerously easy to make self love or approval contingent
upon losing weight. Until you've lost it, you may feel
undeserving and thus fail. You may succeed, only to have old
habits or new crises can throw you back into old eating habits.
You have made no fundamental change, so the cycle reinforces
itself. So many different problems manifest this way.
You will certainly want to deal with eating habits and
exercise, but this is often insufficient. People have different
metabolic rates and different body types. Do not make liking
yourself contingent upon your having a different body type! If
you dislike your body, you dislike your Little Self. You must
love yourself unconditionally. This is the same transcendent
spirit expressed in wedding vows: for better or worse, richer or
poorer, in sickness and in health. Love yourself not regardless
of how you look, but because of how you look. Wanting to improve
doesn't mean that you must dislike yourself as you are. If you
were given $900, you wouldn't despise it because it wasn't $1000.
Rejoice in your Little Self's expression of being alive. Until
you do, this lesson will hang over your head. Ironically, you are
most able to change your looks when it matters to you least.
Remember to be responsible. Always get good health care. When
trying to lose weight, follow a sane plan under a doctor's care.
But in addition, work to love yourself unconditionally. Strive
constantly to fight the messages from the media and those around
you. You are a loving, loveable person and your looks reflect
this. Make yourself aware of that. When you succeed, you may
eventually look like your ideal, but even if you don't, you will
see the beauty in yourself. You will be more able to defend
yourself from those small minds unhappy enough to attack you for
not conforming to their ideal. You will also draw those who can
see your beauty. As an extreme example, anorexics always feel
that they are too fat. They cannot lose more weight, for that
would kill them. The answer lies with truly seeing themselves.
Any time your goal is self improvement, the principle is the
same. In order to better yourself, you must first realize that
you are loveable, now and always. Never try to better yourself to
become loveable-- it doesn't work. The goal of magick is to heal
those things you do not like in yourself, not destroy them. You
better yourself by first bettering your self image. You change
your behavior by healing the hurts that cause you to do harmful
things. Recognize that all unhappy things are in response to
pain. Your Little Self can hurt you, much as a favorite pet may
bite you because it is in pain. Do not feel anger or misery but
love and healing.

Affirmations: I love myself completely as I am now. I surrender

to love. I know that I am a loving and loveable person. I heal
all hurts. I now express perfect health in my life. I bring
complete health into my life. My body is now a beautiful, healthy
expression of my Self.

Visualizations: Imagine yourself so close to the sun that you can

see nothing else. Visualize the area you want to heal bathed in
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blue-green light. Listen to or imagine the note F#. Concentrate
on the heart and throat chakra (green and blue, respectively).
The root chakrum (red) is another good focus for physical well
being. When healing someone not present, put a photo next to a
candle. Put the name of the subject on the candle and use this to
focus your concentration.
Other: Rituals to increase energy and health are most effective
during the waxing moon and at high noon. Rituals for eliminating
disease or losing weight are best done during the waning moon.
The five pointed star (symbol of Man) might be a good symbol (if
you do not have any negative associations with it).

Good Luck!
At this point you are on your own. It takes forty days to make
or break a habit, so you should concentrate on daily exercise for
at least this long. Magick is not a quick, easy way of getting
what you want. It is a long, hard road. Though it's quite
possible to have instant success, visible results can take
months. Real rewards can take years. But we all must travel this
road some time. Be cautious of those promising an easier path.
Though it may appear slow, magick is one of the fastest ways of
taking your Power. The difficulty lies not in feats of physical
or mental prowess, but in steady diligence. Do not try too hard,
or you will not last long. If you are not happy with the way your
life is going now and you desire to take your power, then commit
to the life changes which magick demands. If your commitment is
genuine, then everything will fall into place over time. Above
all, be patient.
Best of luck and stay on the path.
________________________________________
"HOW TO USE MAGICK with a Straight Face"
(C) 1989 by Scot Rhoads, all rights reserved
MYSTIC MOON Metaphysical Books, NEW MOON RISING journal & BBS
8818 Troy St., Spring Vly, CA 91977 (619) 466-8064; BBS: 466-5403

Nine Noble Virtues

(Written by Lewis Stead from the Raven Kindred's ritual book)
The Odinic Rite lists the 9 Noble Virtues as Courage, Truth, Honor,
Fidelity, Discipline, Hospitality, Industriousness, Self-Reliance, and
Perseverance.
It would be hard to get much argument on any of these values from
anyone. They simply and briefly encapsulate the broad wisdom of our
Gods and ancestors.
Courage
In virtually every statement of values applied to Asatru, Courage is
listed first. As Stephen McNallen has said, courage and bravery are
perhaps the values which the Vikings are best known for. However,
despite our history, few of us face such turmoil as a literal battle
for ones life. In fact, I believe it might be easier to manifest
courage in such a situation than to do so in the many smaller day to
day occurrences in which courage is called for.
The most common of these occurrences for modern Pagans, is the courage
to acknowledge and live ones beliefs. It is also, sadly, the one that
we most often fail at. While we may often be full of the type of
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courage that would lead us to face a shield wall, many of us quake at
the thought of the topic of religion coming up at the office or a
friend asking what church we attend. We won't offer easy answers, but
we ask this: if you toast the courage of your ancestors to fight and
die for what they believed in, can you trade away your religious
identity for a higher salary or social acceptance?
In an essay on values there is also the question of moral courage.
The way of Tyr is difficultto lose ones hand for ones beliefsbut,
Tyr thought the price worth paying. In a million ways modern society
challenges our values, not just as Asatruar who are estranged from
mainstream religious practice, but for religious people in an
increasingly not just secular, but anti-religious culture. Values are
also not in favor in modern society. Breaking or getting around the
rules is encouraged to get ahead. Living honorably is simply too
inconvenient. I think most people, Asatru or otherwise, find this
repugnant, but the only way to change it is to have the courage to
refuse to take part in it.
Truth
The second virtue, that of Truth, is the one that most led our kindred
to embrace the Odinic Rite's statement of values as our own. Early in
our discussions, we decided that no matter what values we chose to
hold out as our own, truth must be among them. It is a word that
holds so much in its definition, and includes such a wide variety of
moral and philosophical beliefs that we were all drawn to it as a
simple statement of what we stood for.
At least one of the reasons we wanted to adopt it was the simple issue
of honesty. As Bill Dwinnels said at a recent sumbel while toasting
truth and honesty: if you don't want people to know about something,
don't do it. Truth, in the sense of honesty, is essential to personal
honor and also to any system or morality that is not based on rigid
legalism. If one is to uphold an honor code, one must be brutally
honest with oneself and with others.
Truth is also the Truth that comes with a capital Tthe kind of Truth
that one talks about in terms of religion or morality. It's common to
talk of different peoples having different "truths," but it's equally
important to remember that while we acknowledge that each person or
people has their own belief as to what Truth is or where to find it,
there finally is a single Truth. This is not the Truth as we believe
it, but ultimate Truth. While we may respect other people's truths
and seek our own, we must never forget our search for The Truth. Like
the Holy Grail of Christian legend, it may never be ours to reach, but
when we cease to search we perish.
Honor
Honor is the basis for the entire Asatru moral rationale. If anything
comes out in the Eddas and Sagas it is that without honor we are
nothing. We remember two types of peoples from ancient times: those
whose honor was so clean that they shine as examples to us and those
who were so without honor that their names are cursed a thousand years
after they lived. Good Asatruar should always strive to be among the
former.
However, honor is not mere reputation. Honor is an internal force
whose outward manifestation is reputation. Internal honor is the
sacred moral compass that each Asatruar and God should hold dear. It
is the inner dwelling at peace which comes from living in accordance
with ones beliefs and with ones knowledge of the Truth of what one is
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doing. It is something deeply personal and heartfelt, almost akin to
an emotion. It's a knowing that what one is doing is right and
decent and correct.
In many ways while the most important of all the virtues it is also
the most ephemeral in terms of description. It is all the other
virtues rolled together and then still more. The best way I have
found to describe honor is that if you are truly living with honor,
you will have no regrets about what you have done with your life.

Fidelity
Fidelity is a word that is far too often defined by it's narrow use in
terms of marital fidelity. By the dictionary it simply means being
faithful to someone or something. In marriage this means being true
to ones vows and partner, and this has been narrowly defined as
limiting ones sexual experience to ones spouse. While I have found
this to be great practical advice, many treat fidelity as if there
were no other ways in which one could be faithful or unfaithful.
For we Asatruar fidelity is most important in terms of our faith and
troth to the Gods. We must remain true to the Aesir and Vanir and to
our kinsmen. Like marriage, Profession (the rite in which one enters
the Asatru faith, similar to Christian confirmation or Wiccan
initiation) is a sacred bond between two parties; in this case an
Asatruar and the Gods. In order for such a relationship to work, both
must be honest and faithful to each other.
Asatru, although currently being reborn, is at its roots a folk
religion and we also uphold the value of fidelity to the ways of our
ancestors. This is why historical research is so important to the
Asatru-folk: it is the rediscovering of our ancient ways and our
readoption of them.
Discipline
In any discussion of the values of Asatru, discipline is best
described as self-discipline. It is the exercise of personal will
that upholds honor and the other virtues and translates impulse into
action. If one is to be able to reject moral legalism for a system of
internal honor, one must be willing to exercise the self-discipline
necessary to make it work. Going back to my earlier criticism of
society, if one rejects legalism, one must be willing to control ones
own actions. Without self-discipline, we have the mess we currently
see in our culture.
Looking at discipline in terms of fidelity, we see a close connection.
Many Pagans go from faith to faith, system to system, path to path.
Asatruar are much less likely to do this. The discipline of keeping
faith with our Gods and the ways of our ancestors is part of our
modern practice. In this way, we limit ourselves in some ways, but we
gain much more in others.
Hospitality
Hospitality is simply one of the strongest core values at the heart of
virtually every ancient human civilization. In a community/folk
religion such as our own, it is the virtue that upholds our social
fabric. In ancient times it was essential that when a traveler went
into the world he could find some sort of shelter and welcome for the
night. In modern times it is just as essential that a traveler find
friendship and safety.
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In our modern Asatru community, we need to treat each other with
respect and act together for the good of our community as a whole.
This functions most solidly on the level of the kindred or hearth
where nonfamilial members become extremely close and look out for
each other. It can mean hospitality in the old sense of taking in
people, which we've done, but in modern times it's more likely to mean
loaning someone a car or a bit of money when they need it (that's
need, not want).

Part of hospitality is treating other people with respect and dignity.

Many of our Gods are known to wander the world and stop in at people's
houses, testing their hospitality and generosity. The virtue of
hospitality means seeing people as if they were all individuals with
self-respect and importance. Or perhaps from time to time, they are
literally the Gods in human form. This has profound implications for
social action in our religion. Our response to societal problems such
as poverty (that's poverty folks, not laziness) is in many ways our
modern reaction to this ancient virtue.

In terms of our modern community as a whole, I see hospitality in

terms of frontier "barn raisings" where a whole community would come
together and pool their resources. This doesn't mean we have to
forget differences, but we must put them aside for those who are of
our Folk, and work for our common good.

Industriousness

Modern Asatruar must be industrious in their actions. We need to work

hard if we are going to achieve our goals. There is so much for us to
do. We've set ourselves the task of restoring Asatru to it's former
place as a mainstream faith and by doing so reinvigorating our society
and culture. We can't do this by sitting on our virtues, we need to
make them an active part of our behavior. Industry also refers to
simple hard work in our daily vocations, done with care and pride.
Here's a few concrete examples. If you are reading this and don't
have a kindred, why not? Stop reading now. Go and place ads in the
appropriate local stores, get your name on the Ring of Troth, Wyrd
Network, or Asatru Alliance networking lists, and with other Pagan
groups. Put on a workshop. Ok, now you're back to reading and you
don't agree with what I'm saying here? Well, be industrious! Write
your own articles and arguments. Write a letter to the editor and
suggest this material be bannedbetter that than passivity. Get the
blood moving and go out and do it. That's how it gets done. The Gods
do not favor the lazy.

The same holds true for our non-religious lives. As Asatruar we

should offer a good example as industrious people who add to whatever
we're involved in rather than take from it. We should be the ones the
business we work in can't do without and the ones who always seem to
be able to get things done. When people think of Asatru, they should
think of people who are competent and who offer something to the
world.

This doesn't just apply to vocational work, but to the entire way we
live our lives. It is just as much a mentality. The Vikings were
vital people. They lived each day to its fullest and didn't wring
their hands in doubt or hesitation. We should put the same attitude
forward in all that we do whether it is our usual vocation, devotion
to the Gods, or leisure time.

Self Reliance
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Industry brings us directly to the virtue of Self-Reliance, which is
important both in practical and traditional terms. Going back to the
general notion of this article, we are dealing with a form of morality
that is largely self-imposed and thus requires self-reliance. We rely
on ourselves to administer our own morality.
Traditionally, our folkways have always honored the ability of a man
or woman to make their own way in the world and not to lean on others
for their physical needs. This is one of the ways in which several
virtues reinforce and support each other. Hospitality cannot function
if people are not responsible enough to exercise discipline and take
care of themselves. It's for those that strive and fail or need
assistance that hospitality is intended, not for the idle who simply
won't take care of themselves.
In terms of our relationships with the Gods, self-reliance is also
very important. If we wish the Gods to offer us their blessings and
gifts, we must make ourselves worthy of themand the Gods are most
pleased with someone who stands on their own two feet. This is one of
the reasons for the Asatru rule that we do not kneel to the Gods
during our ceremonies. By standing we acknowledge our relationship as
striving and fulfilled people looking for comradeship and a
relationship, rather than acting as scraelings looking for a handout
from on high. It takes very little for a God to attract a follower,
if worship simply means getting on the gravy train. We, as Asatruar,
are people who can make our own way in the world, but who choose to
seek a relationship with the Gods.
In mundane terms being self-reliant is a simple way to allow ourselves
the ability to live as we wish to. In simple economic terms, if one
has enough money in the bank one doesn't need to worry as much about
being fired due to religious discrimination. We can look a bigot in
the face and tell him just where he can put it. It's also nice to
have something in the bank to lay down as a retainer on a good lawyer
so we can take appropriate action.
On the other side of this is self-reliance in the sense of Henry David
Thoreau, who advocated a simple lifestyle that freed one from the
temptations of materialism. Again, here we are able to live as we
wish with those things that are truly important. Religious people
from all faiths have found that adjusting ones material desires to
match one's ability to meet them leaves one open for a closer
relationship with deity and a more fulfilling life. While our
ancestors were great collectors of gold goodies, they didn't lust for
possessions in and of themselves, but for what they stood for and
could do for them. In fact, the greatest thing that could be said of
a Lord was that he was a good Ring Giver.
Being self-reliant also means taking responsibility for ones life.
It's not just about refusing a welfare check or not lobbying for a tax
exemption, but also refusing to blame ones failures on religious
intolerance, the patriarchy, or an unfair system. The system may, in
fact, be unfair, but it's our own responsibility to deal with it.

In societal terms, we have become much too dependent on other people

for our own good. As individuals we look to the government or to
others to solve our problems and as a society we borrow billions from
our descendants to pay for today's excesses. Most problems in this
world could be solved if people just paid their own way as they went.
The final virtue is Perseverance which I think most appropriate
because it is the one that we most need to keep in mind in our living
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of the other values. Our religion teaches us that the world is an
imperfect place, and nothing comes easy. We need to continue to seek
after that which we desire. In this imperfect world there are no free
lunches or easy accomplishmentsespecially in the subjects we have set
before ourselves. If we truly wish to build an Asatru community that
people will hold up as an example of what committed people can do,
then we must persevere through the hardships that building our
religion is going to entail. We must be willing to continue on when
we are pushed back. If one loses a job for ones religion, the answer
is not to go back and hide, but to continue until one finds a vocation
where one can more forward and live as an Asatruar should.
Finally we must persevere when we simply fail. If one's kindred falls
apart because of internal strife, one should go back and start over.
Pick up the pieces and continue on. If nobody had done this after the
disintegration of the Asatru Free Assembly, this would probably never
have been written. We must be willing to continue in the hard work of
making our religion strongnot just when it is convenient and easy to
do so, but when it gets hard, inconvenient, or just plain boring. To
accomplish without striving is to do little, but to persevere and
finally accomplish a hard fought goal brings great honor.
DARK MOON
by Magus and Ariel

Chanting before and while entering circle. Soft background music when ritual
starts.

Priest: We are gathered here in recognition of the dark, to celebrate the dark
mother, the crone of time, grandmother of us all!

All ears hear! The circle is about to be cast, let none be present
but of their own free will! Be it known that we are in the
presence of the dark Goddess.

Priestess: circles deosil with the salt, casts the first circle.
I cast the circle thus! With salt, deep from the womb of the mother!
From oceans deep and cold! I consecrate this space! So mote it be!
Priest: circling deosil with water.
I cast the circle thus! With water, ancient and old; with the
life blood of the world! I consecrate this space! So mote it be!

Priest: circling deosil with censor.

I cast the circle thus! With fire and air, clean and hot!
I consecrate this space! So mote it be!
Priest: And ever it was thus!
All: So mote it be!
Calling of the quarters:
Priestess: Ancient one of elemental Air! I call and summon thee by name!
Raphael of the wide ranging air! Sylph of the endless skies! We
bid you come! Stand in our presence and guard this circle cast.
So mote it be!

All: So mote it be!

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Priest: Ancient one of elemental Earth! I call and summon thee by name!
Oriel of the fertile plain! Gnome of forests deep! We bid you
come! Stand in our presence and guard this circle cast!
So mote it be!

All: So mote it be!

Priestess: Ancient one of elemental Fire! I call and summon thee by name!
Michael of flickering flame! Salamander of scorching fire! We bid you come!
Stand in our presence and guard this circle cast! So mote it be!
All: So mote it be!

Priest: Ancient one of elemental Water! I call and summon thee by name!
Gabriel of oceans and streams! Undine of pools and ponds!
We bid you come! Stand in our presence and guard our circle cast!
So mote it be!
All: So mote it be!
Priest stands in the east, Priestess stands in the west.
Together with outstretched arms begin chant A U M !
<invoking Spirit pent>
All: So mote it be!
Priestess: And ever it was thus! From the beginnings of the world,
air and earth, fire and water weaved together with spirit and love!

All CHANT
We all come from the Goddess
And to her we shall return.
Like a drop of rain,
Flowing to the ocean.***
Isis, Astarte, Diana,Hecate,
Demeter, Kali, Inanna **
Priest: Dark Mother!! Crone of time!! We ask your presence and your
blessing! All things to you must go, though darkness and death
are your domain, you promise peace and rest! Thy gift is life!
Yours is the hand that turns the wheel and cuts the thread.
Be with us this magickal night! Give each of us your wisdom
and bless our rite! So mote it be!
All: So mote it be!
Priest and Priestess circle while chanting:
Hecate, Hecate of visage dower,
Dark Mother, Dark Mother come in power.
Hecate, Hecate of visage dower,
Dark Mother, Dark Mother crone of time.
While Priest and Priestess chant, everyone else can chant
also if the mood strikes.
Each person will take a sheet of parchment paper and write down
that which they have outgrown and want removed.
They will keep the paper with them until later when
this petition will be burned and tossed into cauldron.
Priest and Priestess:
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And ever it was thus!
Priest: As God
Priestess: To Goddess
Together:
So woman to man
From the beginnings of the universe
The energies joined and co-mingled
whereby we are sustained and carry on.
Priestess takes chalice:
Dark Lady, Mother of night, we thank you for your presence and
wisdom. (pouring liquid into libation bowl) as the fruit of the
vine was plucked and pressed, it came to know the touch of death
and thereby we are sustained and carry on!
Priest takes cakes:
Likewise as the grain of the field ripened and fell beneath the
scythe it came to know the touch of death, whereby we are
sustained and carry on!
While cakes and wine are passed around all will chant:
<in retrospect this works better if you've got the music.
Hebrew is hard>
Hine matov umanayim
Shevet akim gom yokad
(Happy are they that dwell
together as brother and sister)

Priestess: And ever it was thus!

All: Blessed be!

Priestess stand in the west with cauldron in front of her.

Priest kneels and silently draws down . While still kneeling
Priest says:
Dark Lady of the waning moon!
We thank you for your presence
and your blessing, and in silence we turn within
and willingly offer
to thy realm that which is old and outdated,
that which no longer has life and no longer grows.
We offer to thy Blade that which
we no longer need.
(Priest stands and lights cauldron)
Priestess draws invoking earth pentegram in front of Priest saying:
Of the Mother darksome and divine
Mine the scourge, and mine the kiss;
The five-point star of love and bliss -
Here I charge you, with this sign.
Priest: Here ye the words of the Dark Lady; we who of old was called
among men Hecate, Persephone, Kali, and many other names.
Priestess: Worship me as the Crone! Tender of the unbroken cycle of death
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and rebirth. I am the wheel, the shadow of the Moon.
I rule the tides of women and men and give release
and renewal to weary souls.
Though the darkness of death is my domain,
the joy of birth is my gift.

Everyone in turn ignites their petition off the cauldron and

tosses it into the cauldron.

Priestess embraces each person as they go by.

Priestess: And ever it was thus! That which falls to the hand of the crone finds
regeneration and new life!

All circle and CHANT:

She changes everything she touches and
everything she touches changes!
Priestess: Grandmother! Blessed thou be! Depart to thy realms .
Thank you for the lessons learned this dark night! Blessed be!
All: Blessed be!
Priestess: Ancient one of elemental Air! Thank you for your vigil here!
Leave with us a renewed mind as clear as air! Blessed be!
All: Blessed be!
Priest: Ancient one of elemental Earth! Thank you for your vigil here!
Leave with us steadiness and patience! Blessed be!
All: Blessed be!
Priestess: Ancient one of elemental Fire! Thank you for your vigil here!
Leave with us swiftness and action, a flaming soul to always do
what is right! Blessed be!
All: Blessed be!
Priest: Ancient one of elemental Water! Thank you for your vigil here!
As you depart leave with us the fluidity of water that we may
have compassion for our fellows as well as our selves!
Blessed be!
All: Blessed be!
Priestess: Let all ears hear! The circle is open but remains unbroken!
Brothers and sisters, we are children of the Lord and Lady!
May they always dance within our hearts.
Merry did we meet, merry do we part, merry we meet again!

All: Merry did we meet, merry do we part, merry we meet again!

Blessed be!

Prayers to Brighid
These are some prayers to Brighid that I adapted from prayers to the
Irish Saint Brigid. Comments are welcome.

"KINDLING THE FIRE"

This morning, as I kindle the flame upon my hearth, I pray that the flame of Brighid
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may burn in my soul, and the souls of all I meet today.
I pray that no envy and malice, no hatred or fear, may smother the flame.
I pray that indifference and apathy, comtempt and pride, may not pour like cold
water on the flame.
Instead, may the spark of Brighid light the love in my soul, that it may
burn brightly through the day.
And may I warm those that are lonely, whose hearts are cold and lifeless, so that
all may know the comfort of Brighid's love.

"COVERING THE FIRE"

Brighid, preserve the fire, as You preserve us all.
Brighid, may its warmth remain in our midst, as You are always among us.

Brighid, may it rise to life in the morning, as You raise us to life.

House Cleansing
By: David Piper
************************************************************************
_Banishing And Sealing Ritual For The Home_
To be performed during at the New Moon, but may be performed at any time
in need.
You will need a new white Candle (any size with holder), small bowls for
Water and Salt, and a large bowl of water as well, and the censer and an
appropriate incense. (Choose one that brings to your mind qualities you
wish to have in your home.)

Banishing Ritual:

Meditate for a few moments on the task ahead; then make a brief invocation to the
Goddess and the God, asking for Their Aid and Power in the Work you will do.
Light the white candle in its holder, and charcoal in the censer (or an
incense stick may be used instead).

Consecrate Water and Salt in the usual way.

Consecrate the water in the bowl in the same manner, but do not add Salt; place this
bowl in the center of the room.

Take the consecrated Water, elevate it to North, and say,

"In the name of (Goddess) and (God)
I banish with Water and Earth."
Sprinkle the Water lightly widdershins around the perimeter of the room.
Bless the incense, then elevate the censer (or incense stick) to North,
and say,
"In the name of (Goddess) and (God)
I banish with Fire and Air."
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Cense the perimeter of the room widdershins.
Take the Candle and cast a Banishing Earth Pentagram at North. (Draw the Pentagram
with the censer or incense stick, starting from the bottom left point up to the top
point, and so forth.) As you cast the Pentagram say,
"With this Sign I banish ye, foul shades of the (Quarter)!
Let this home be freed of your baneful influences!"

Then go widdershins around the perimeter of the room, casting a Banishing Pentagram
at each Quarter beginning at the West and ending back at North, repeating the above
at each Quarter. (Do not repeat it again at North.)
Now turn and face the center of the room, where the bowl of water sits.
With your hands, draw any negative energy or vibrations remaining, and
cast them into the water in the bowl by flicking or snapping your fingers at it.
Repeat this action until you are satisfied the room is cleansed. Do not touch the
water in the bowl, as it is being filled with the negative forces you are
eliminating.
Move the consecrated Water, the Salt, the Incense, the Candle, and
the bowl of water (being careful not to spill it) into each room in
your home and repeat this ritual.
After banishing every room in the home (including bathroom, closets,
pantry, etc.) you have finished. Empty the large bowl of water into
running water (a sink or toilet will do). Wash the bowl thoroughly
with cold water, scrubbing with some of the consecrated Salt.

Sealing Ritual:
Take all the Elemental substances used in the Banishing Ritual (Salt,
consecrated Water, wax drippings from the Candle, and ashes from the
Incense) and mix them into a paste.
Using your forefinger, use the mixture to draw an Invoking Fire Pentagram at each
opening leading outside the home (the doors and the windows - and even the water
pipes, if you should feel the need) while concentrating on the Intention of
protecting your home from outside influences. (Draw the Pentagram from the top
point to the bottom right, and so forth. Form the Star so that it is point up, or
point out, as appropriate.) You may make two Stars at each opening if you wish -
one on the sill or threshold, and the other on the door or window itself.
Remember that Intent is the key to success in this, as in all magickal
operations; going through the motions without Will brings no results.

The Center Point (Celtic)

By: Airmid

The methods that I use involve putting oneself in the center of the
Three Realms, constructed as a triskele. The first is a movement
meditation that I call "The Center Point." It involves both movement and
a breathing pattern used to time the movement. Breathing is, ideally,
timed to the heartbeat. Three each beat is one count. Breathing pattern
is to inhale for 3, hold for 1, exhale for 3, hold for 1.

Movement is slow, rhythmic and deliberate. Each movement has its own
meaning.

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Start standing erect, arms relaxed at your sides.
Close your eyes and relax. Clear your mind, concentrating on your
breathing, and listening to your heart beat. Breathe in and out in the
3-1-3-1 pattern three times as you allow yourself to relax.
As you breathe in the fourth time, raise your hands from your sides and
cover your heart with your palms, one over the other -- you are at the
center of the world.
Exhale, moving smoothly to one knee, placing your palms on the ground in front of
you -- you stand firmly upon the Land.
Inhale as you rise to your feet. As you stand, move your hands behind
you as far back as you can comfortably reach at waist or hip height.
Your hands should be cupped as though you are holding liquid.
Breathe out, moving your hands in an arc around you until they meet in
front of you at about the level of your navel -- the Sea always
surrounds you.
Breathing in, move your hands back to your sides, holding them slightly
away from your hips with your palms flat, facing forward and your
fingers spread open.
Exhale as you raise your arms above you in a smooth curve over your head
until the tips of your thumbs and index fingers touch --the Sky spreads
itself above you.
Inhale again, lowering your hands in front of you until they are once
again cupped over your heart -- you are at the center of the Three
Realms.

CANDLE BLESSING
===============
Coven of New Gwynedd
Blessings be upon thee, O creature of light! Thrice blessed
little herb! Herb o' grease, with thy waxen stem and thy blossom
of flame! Thou art more potent against spells and terrors and the
invisible menace than fennel or dittany or rue. Hail! antidote to
the dealy nightshade! Blossoming in the darkness, thy virtues are
heartsease and quiet sleep. Sick people bless thee, and women in
travail, and people with haunted minds, and all children.

<to be spoken when a new candle is annointed with oil, or when

candles are being made -- when wax is being poured or the candle
dipped -- preferrably on Candlemas>

Blessed Be,
Gwydion
The Coven
By: Julia Phillips

Greetings All!
This article was written by me several years ago, but I thought it might be of
interest here, as it discusses several issues relevant to modern Witches. Any
thought or feedback most welcome! Please remember, that although the historical
stuff is pretty general, the other parts of the article are my own ideas, and not
necessarily applicable outside of my own tradition :)

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Covens and Witches
In 1662, Isobel Gowdie of Auldearne made four separate confessions of being a Witch,
and in the process, gave the word "Coven" to the world. Although there is no other
historical evidence for this word, it has proven to be one of the most lasting
facets of Witchcraft - ask anyone today what Witches do, and the answer will almost
certainly include the fact that they meet in groups, called "Covens".
So given that a number of modern Witches do, in fact, either run, or belong to, a
Coven - just what is its purpose in 20th (and 21st) century Western Civilisation?
Why has this word of such dubious historical veracity survived over three hundred
years? Is there a place in our modern world for a social group which, as far as we
know, occurred only in 17th century Scotland?
The very fact of its survival for over three hundred years argues that there is a
place for such a group. In my own case, I have been a member of, and run, Covens of
Witches for a number of years, and it is a social model which fits extremely well
within modern society.
The structure of a coven varies, but generally has one or two leaders, and a number
of members of varying levels of experience. In a sense, the modern Coven has
replaced the tribal family, and its members often fulfill familial roles, which are
no longer available to them in the family in which they were born.
Some researchers have commented that many modern Witches come from a background
which was disrupted; i.e., did not provide a safe family environment during their
formative years. As I know a great many Witches for whom this was not the case, I
think this is only a partial reason, and only for some people.
Humanity itself seems to be inherently tribal; any common bond between people will
generally result in the creation cults or sub-cultures, where those of a like-mind
will bond together. They will evolve their own social order (generally
hierarchical), have their own common language, and often are identifiable by their
demeanour and appearance.
Witches gather together in Covens for very much the same sorts of reasons; we are
apart from general society by virtue of our beliefs and practices. Meeting with
others who think and feel similarly to ourselves gives us the opportunity to share
ideas and skills, as well as being able to practise our Craft.

A modern Coven provides a family-style environment, where the "Elders" can, by

virtue of their experience, give encouragement, support, and advice to those seek to
learn about Witchcraft. As with all families, Covens have very unique and individual
ways of approaching this. Just as no two families are the same, neither are any two
Covens.
Some Covens are run by people with an academic bent, and as would be the case in any
family, this characterises the way in which their "children" are brought up. Other
groups are oriented towards a more simple approach, and the oral traditions play an
important role in the way in which the Coven is structured. Some combine the these
two approaches, and the variations upon the basic themes are endless.
For any "family" to exist harmoniously, everyone within the group must feel a part
of the group, and wish to learn and grow within that group environment. With a path
such as Witchcraft, with its emphasis upon personal growth and development, it is
likely that individuals who may at one time have been happy within their family
group, will change, and wish to move away. This is a perfectly natural process, and
the wise coven leaders will send those people off with their love and blessing.
Trying to keep them would be like trying to keep your sons and daughters tied to
your apron strings forever!
Ultimately, and despite the popularity of the word "coven", I do believe that most
Witches are solitary in nature, and will generally spend at least part of their
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lives without being a member of, or running, a coven. I think the inward exploration
during these periods is vital to self-development, just as we believe it is
important to encourage social-awareness in children. However, I also believe that at
some stage it is important to learn the practices of Witchcraft from another person;
to be an apprentice, if you will; because the act of passing knowledge from one
person to another cannot be replicated by books, correspondence courses, or be
self-taught. This may seem an almost impossible task to some people, but as all the
magical traditions teach: when the student is ready, the teacher will appear! What's
more, it's true!

B*B Julia
Group Ethics Rules: Opening Suggestions!
By: Raven

Too often I had seen the Craft used as a personal power-trip, or with a disregard
for the effects on others. This time it happened in my home.

I introduced two guests, acquaintances of mine, to each other. One was

interested in learning about the Craft; the other offered to teach him.
The would-be teacher went on about his skills, describing the would-be
student's aura and psychic shields; leaned back in his chair, said,
"I really shouldn't do this, I really shouldn't" -- then leaned forward
and, with no warning or other preliminary, SLICED the student's shields
"open" (as he said), leaving the student feeling naked and exposed.
To prove a point, I suppose, but what point I can't guess.

I was outraged. Guests in my home are not to be abused -- by anyone.

Even to a complete materialist, it would be clear that the student had
had his personal space invaded, his emotional consolation removed, with
no informed consent involved, and with no feeling of other protection.

I already knew the would-be teacher himself was taught by people of

no great concern for ethics. His was chiefly a fault of poor training,
added to which he had never stopped to think that "occult" dealings with
people might involve the same ethical issues as "mundane" dealings.

One of the several outcomes of that event was that I wrote the following
guidelines for those two specific people, and suggested (NOT ordered)
that they adopt these -- if they did still decide to work together.
After that, well, several other people did express an interest.

Note! This was written as a PROPOSAL; no-one has enacted it as a LAW.

The hope is for it to be used by, and among, those who like the ideas.
(Really, all it does is put the concept of "Harm ye none" in practice.)

RULES OF THE CIRCLE

THE RULES OF INFORMED CONSENT:

1. Tell everyone participating what to expect, before the circle is

closed or anything else begins.
2. Give everyone participating the chance to say NO and to withdraw,
before the circle is closed or anything else begins -- and then
respect that decision.
3. Be open, honest, and fair: spring no surprises, trip no traps;
NEVER use what you learn or do in circle to manipulate or compel
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any other person, or diminish anyone's dignity and free will.
THE RULES OF PRIVACY:
4. Encourage people not to wander in and out of any session between
its beginning and ending, or cross the circle while it is closed.
5. Protect every session from interruption by (or intrusion on) any
outsiders -- by closed or locked doors, a fence, or some other
clear marking outside the circle.
6. While proceedings may not be secret, they ARE always private; keep
silent about who and what you see or hear in circle, unless you
have each other participant's specific consent.
THE RULES OF SHIELDING:
7. ALWAYS, ALWAYS close the circle and raise your wards before
beginning, or continuing after a break.
8. ALWAYS, ALWAYS dismiss your wards and open the circle after ending,
or to allow passage across the circle.
9. Conduct yourself with mutual respect and due courtesy, without
malice or ill will toward anyone, or else ask that the circle be
opened and that you be dismissed from the session.

COVENANT
THE TEACHER PROMISES THE STUDENT:
1. I will abide by the Rules of the Circle.
2. I will ask from you no more than you can give.
3. I will not expect you to read my mind.
4. I will not hide from you my limits or gaps in knowledge; if I just
don't know, I'll tell you so.
5. I will explain, to the best of my ability, not only what to do and
how, but also why.
6. I will not push you beyond your ability or willingness to proceed.
7. I realize that I may be tempted to become dominating, a "leader" --
and I will do my best to resist this temptation.
8. Because I received from others without payment, I will give to you
without payment.
9. As I can, I will learn from you in turn.
THE STUDENT PROMISES THE TEACHER:
1. I will abide by the Rules of the Circle.
2. I will ask from you no more than you can give.
3. I will not expect you to read my mind.
4. If I have questions about what you show me, I will ask you.
5. If I fail to understand anything, I will mention it.
6. If I feel unready to proceed, I will tell you.
7. I realize that I may be tempted to become dependent, a "follower" --
and I will do my best to resist this temptation.
8. Because I receive from you without payment, I will give to others
without payment.
9. As I can, I will teach you in turn.
A CIRCLE IS NOT A LINE: IT HAS NO BEGINNING AND NO END.
A CIRCLE IS NOT A PYRAMID: IT HAS NO TOP AND NO BOTTOM.
A CIRCLE IS NOT AN ASTERISK: IT IS NOT RUN FROM JUST ONE POINT.

Wiccan Ethics And The Wiccan Rede

By: David Piper, Sat 21 May 94 12:16
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Part I: What Sayeth The Rede?

=====================
The "archaically worded" construction "An it harm none, do what ye will," rendered
into modern English is literally, "if it doesn't harm anyone, do what you want."
Many modern Wiccans "reverse" the construction, however, taking the first part and
putting it after the second to read: "Do what ye will an it harm none," or in modern
English "Do what you want if it doesn't harm anyone."
Many people give the word "an" or "if" a value of "so long as" - which is acceptable
substitution, because it doesn't alter the meaning of the Rede itself. However they
then proceed to read "so long as" as "only if," and that is *completely different*,
because the Rede has ceased to be a "wise counsel" [anyone checked the meaning of
"rede" in the dictionary lately?] and become an injunction: prohibitive commandment,
rather than permissive advice.
In other words, the original archaic construction actually says "if it is not going
to hurt anyone, it is ok to do" - this is *not* the same as "if it hurts anyone it
is *not* ok to do."
What is the significance of the change? A larger one than you might see, at first
glance.
The "actual construction Rede," or AC Rede, says it is ok to do something that won't
harm anyone, but it *does not say anything* about those things which do cause harm,
except to set an ethical standard of harmlessness as the criteria to judge by.
The "modern reconstruction Rede" or MR Rede, explicitly says that any and all
actions that cause harm are forbidden.
The two constructions do *not* mean the same thing at all. And it should be obvious
that this has implications on our thinking, and discussions of the possibility of
"obeying" the Rede.
Most of you will have heard or read, as I have, people saying the Rede is something
to strive to live by, even though mundane reality makes it very difficult, if not
impossible, to do so to the letter. *This is only true of the MR Rede, not the AC
Rede!* As examples, they cite situations such as self-defense; *this violates the
MR Rede*. Period. But it does *not* violate the AC Rede. Period.
Earlier, I stated that the AC Rede does not rule on actions that do cause harm - and
this is true. It only rules on those actions which do not, by saying that they are
acceptable. This is relevant to "victimless crimes" for example - civil "crimes"
may in fact be "ethical," by the judgment of the AC Rede.
What the AC Rede *does* do, in terms of actions that cause harm, is state an ethical
value by which an individual must judge the results of her/his actions before
acting. In other words, by stating that a harmless action is ethical, the AC Rede
sets harmlessness as the criteria for evaluation. Acting to prevent greater harm -
but in the process causing lesser harm - may then be ethical, if there is no
harmless, or more harmless, method of preventing that greater harm - because *not*
acting to prevent harm is to *cause* it, by an act of *omission* rather than
*commission*.
In short the difference between the AC Rede, and the MR Rede, is that the AC Rede is
a perfectly-obeyable ethical standard, but the MR Rede is not, as so many people
have pointed out. Do we take as our ethical standard a "counsel" which *can* be
obeyed, or one which *necessitates rationalizing in some instances*? Which is truer
to the Wicca, and to the *real* Rede?
"rede: n. [Middle English rede < Old English raed < base of raedan, to
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interpret] [archaic] 1. counsel; advice 2. a plan; scheme
3. a story; tale 4. an interpretation"
(from Webster's New World Dictionary)

Part II: "Do good, an it be safe..." (from the Ordains)

===========================
The MR Rede is the most common interpretation in Wicca today; so much so, that not
only do many Wiccans not realize there's a difference in the two constructions, but
they *deny* it when it is pointed out to them, holding firmly to the MR Rede as what
the original has always meant.
At first the change of language was only an attempt to bring the language up from
archaic, to modern English; but in doing so - especially with the public relations
campaign, to convince people that Wiccans are "not black magick/not devil
worship/not evil nasty curse-casters" the "harmlessness" aspect of the Rede was
stressed, over the personal responsibility aspect. And in essence Wiccans became
the victims of their own PR campaign.
An additional result is the injunction that one may never work magick for others,
even to heal, without their knowledge and consent. Of course, we are allowed by
this injunction to ask "Can I pray for you?" as a means of obtaining the consent.
From "a love spell aimed at one particular person is unethical because it violates
their will only to serve our lust" we've moved to an extreme: to the prohibitive
injunction against ever doing any magick for another without permission, since it
violates their free will. Does anyone *really* believe the Gods will judge them
ill, for attempting to heal someone?
What of the case of an unconscious accident victim and family unavailable to ask -
are we forbidden to work? No, of course we're not - but we *do* have to accept the
karmic consequences of such acts. Do you really think that a neurotic who uses an
illness as a crutch wouldn't be better healed of that neurosis as well as the
illness? Of course that may call up some karma if the person isn't strong enough to
give up that crutch yet. Once again the real criteria is *personal responsibility*
and consideration of the consequences of one's actions *before* one acts rather than
the "thou shalt not" prohibitive commandment.
There is however another reason for the "prohibitive form" of these redes - one
which has some validity. The teacher bears a karmic responsibility for the student.
There was a group whose teaching was, "No magick may be done for another, even to
heal, without their consent; any exceptions may be decided only by the High
Priestess and the High Priest." The point of this is that a student is not yet
experienced enough, not yet wise enough (since wisdom is the harvest we reap of our
experience and knowledge), to have that kind of decision, and the resulting karmic
burden, left to rest fully upon her/his shoulders - hence, some teachers and some
Trads do not allow neophytes to have responsibility for that kind of
decision-making.
It is far better, however, to teach a student the essential importance of personal
responsibility, the need to look ahead for possible consequences before they act,
than to lay "thou shalt not's" upon them despite Wicca's insistance that we have
none.
I received a comment about the last sentence in part I, paragraph 3, that said "Ack!
Welcome to the One Wiccan Commandment! Any 'thou shalt nots' lurking around?"
Food for thought, my fellow Wiccans! Food for thought!

Charge of the God 1

By: Siobhan
Tue 12 Jul 94 10:33
Here's something I picked up recently. The writer felt that there should be a Charge
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of the God to go with The Charge of the Goddess.
*****
Listen the the words of the Great Father, who of old was called Osiris, Adonis,
Zeus, Thor, Pan, Cernunnos, Herne, Lugh and by may other
names:
"My Law is Harmony with all things. Mine is the secret that opens
the gates of life and mine is the dish of salt of the earth that is the
body of Cernunnos that is the eternal circle of rebirth. I give the
knowledge of life everlasting, and beyond death I give the promise of
regeneration and renewal. I am the sacrifice, the father of all things,
and my protection blankets the earth."
Hear the words of the dancing God, the music of whose laughter
stirs the winds, whose voice calls the seasons:
"I who am the Lord of the Hunt and the Power of the Light, sun among
the clouds and the secret of the flame, I call upon your bodies to arise
and come unto me. For I am the flesh of the earth and all it's beings.
Thru me all things must die and with me are reborn. Let my worship be
in the body that sings, for behold all acts of willing sacrifice are my
rituals. Let there be desire and fear, anger and weakness, joy and
peace, awe and longing within you. For these too are part of the
mysteries found within yourself, within me, all beginnings have endings,
and all endings have beginnings."
So Mote It BE!

Charge of the God 2

By: Siobhan
Tue 12 Jul 94 10:33
This is the second Charge of the God I have.
****
THE CHARGE OF THE GOD
Listen to the words of the God, who is the son, brother, lover, and
consort of the Lady:
I am the fleet deer in the forest, I am the beach which receives the
waves, I am the sun which warms the earth. I am the Lord of the
Spiral Dance of Life, Death and Rebirth, the gentle reaper, the
Winter stag and the Spring fawn. All things are of me, for I am of
the Goddess, opposite, yet not opposing. I bring birth forth from the
womb that is a tomb, for I am the seed which fertilizes. I am
abundant Life, for I am the grain that grows and I am death, the
harvest in the Fall. And I am rebirth after darkness, for I am the
seed that springs forth anew.
I am fertility, the spreader of Life, and I am the Lord of Death,
which adds value to life.
I am the Guardian of the gate between Life and Death. I am King of
the Underworld, where no living being may venture, but I am also
the King of Rebirth, turning the tomb into a womb.
I bring love and strength, peace and passion, hope and joy, for I am
the gentle lover in the night.
All that I am comes from the Great Mother, the Divine Star
Goddess, who is Mother of us all.
**********
Feel free to use this one as is, or to adapt it in whatever way feels
right to you.
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Blessed Be!

-- PattiMom --
The Crazy Lady in the Wheelchair
(Pattimom and Ariadne wrote this one)
If you like it, snag it and use it. :-)
Blessed Be!
Siobhan

For a Few Myths More

by Aries
"...Aries shows us how modern images (albeit set in 19th century America)..." Julia,
Web of Wyrd No. 7.
For me, that "albeit" sounded like a gauntlet being slapped down. Can we show the
presence of myth in films other than Westerns? We don't plan to go on in great
detail, but we suspect that what we're trying to get across is the suggestion that
maybe "The Mythic" is not the stories or
rituals, but the substrate out of which our tales and trials grow.

When we talk about myths we are really referring to ancienct stories, and not every
ancient tale grew out of "The Mythic". More than enough were for entertainment,
propaganda, satire or pornography _ to see everything that is old as also being
venerable is to fall into the Confuscian Heresy. In much the same way our modern
literature/film culture produces works serving as varying purposes as moral tales,
epic adventures, pulp and hardcore porn, but also produces work that grows direct
from "The Mythic".
In the rubric of science, "The Mythic" can be seen as being non-local; it stands
outside of space-time, being here, there and everywhere; now, then, and everywhen.
Our tales do not grow out of the ancient tales/myths, but draw afresh from the same
wells as they did (do/will?).
In the printed media a good many SF novels are based on the inner/underground
journey; all that Phillip K Dick and Edmund Cooper wrote seemed based on this theme,
in the same way "Metropolis" is of the "descent" type story. One of the great
advantages of film is the way it can make the sensations of the "descent" seem
"real"; possibly by a species of autohypnosis into a state that Robert Anton Wilson
refers to as virtual reality in his book, Cosmic Trigger 2. For us other examples of
the descent theme are Orson Welles' films; Touch of Evil and The Trial (based on
Kafka's book), giving a long shot of the journey.
The classic "Casablanca" we suggest is the story of the "descent" from a viewpoint
inside the underworld itself. That Casablanca is the place of death is always
suggested by the comment that Rick makes to Elsa when she says that Victor Lazlo
will die in Casablanca; "What of it? I'm going to die in Casablanca. It's a good
place for it." Full of refugees (lost souls). Rick exists in his own emotional limbo
awaiting the descent of his own Inanna to set him free.
"Apocalypse Now" and the Conrad novel it is based on, "Heart of Darkness", gives a
great example of the same story set at both ends of the century; the parallel of the
inner and outer journey, especially as Conrad went through his inner journey whilst
writing the book, and Francis Ford Copolla and crew went through theirs while making
the film. I would strongly suggest that "The Mythic" emerges into our lives first
and formost; through tales we make sense of the patterns, and warn those who follow
on from us.
Another great advantage of film is its ability to show us inside the underworld in
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such a way that we may lose track of where the boundaries lay, and become uncertain
of what is real and what is illusion. If the previous films can be seen as "descent"
themes, the following, we suggest, can be called "Chapel Perilous" themes. In "The
Maltese Falcon" we have the characters chasing the elusive bird, crossing and
double-crossing each other, unconcerned by anything but possession of the miraculous
object, which we discover at the very end is nothing but; "The stuff that dreams are
made of".
With "The House of Games" _ Mamet's six year-old cult movie _ we enter the image of
the labyrinthe, a subterranean night world of confidence tricksters, who lead a lady
psychiatrist along until she, and us (the viewer) have problems distinguishing
between what is real and what isn't, until it all becomes part of the game.
That is the nature of "Chapel Perilous", its existence can be denied, we can believe
we're somewhere else (watching a movie?), but all the time we're trapped in it,
unable to discern what is really going on.
Another cult movie that gives a beautiful experience of Chapel Perilous is Orson
Welles' film "F for Fake", except this time we are the targets of the con. A
documentary film about two fakers, itself really a clever montage of existing film
clips put together to give the impression of a series of interviews. At some point
the film moves into the realm of total fantasy, and the beauty of it is that we
don't notice _ that is the Chapel Perilous experience. From here it is logical to
move onto the ascent, or what could be called the "Promethean" theme. The film
"Frankenstein" is the classic promethean film, but is full of timid, anti-Luciferan
morality; i.e. to steal the "fire" from the gods instantly incurrs punishment; as a
myth, that is no longer useful to us.
All of the above examples are tales based in the twentieth century. For a promethean
theme we feel we should be looking forward; "2001 A Space Odyssey" is wonderfully
symbolic in that it is based in the first year of the next millenium. There are four
stages in the film: the first is "The Dawn of Man", taking place in prehistoric
Earth, where "the slab" appears _ the promeathean gift, but what is the gift? fire?
tool use? weapon use? the ability to kill? We would suggest that it is the gift of
imagination; the apre man looks at the bone and "sees" a weapon; he has the ability
to manipulate images in his mind.
In the film the image cuts instantly to a space craft on its way to the Moon. This
journey between the worlds we feel signifies that we have entered mythic space. In
the next stage of the film, "The Moon", we meet "the slab" again, where it dispenses
its next gift, the awareness of something beyond. In Qabbalistic terms we have moved
from Malkuth to Yesod; the following stage of the film, "Journey to Jupiter", has us
ascending the sephiroth to Chesed.
On the approach to Jupiter, Dave has to disconnect the higher functions of the
computer, Hal. We would suggest this can represent a distrust of reason; a return to
child-like ways, or a stepping away from the constraints of language. As Hal closes
down, it is language that deteriorates; i.e. it is language that constructs the
world we perceive. So to go into the infinite beyond, to take the Next Step, we have
to go beyond language, hence all the descriptions of mystical experiences end up
sounding like gibberish.
For the final stage of the film, "Jupiter and beyond to Infinity", we have the leap
across the Abyss to the Supernals; Chokmah, Binah, Kether. Because language fails us
at this point, Kubrick relies solely on the visual image; the sequence seems
baffling, but we wonder if he is trying to explain something that is also suggested
by Ken Wilber in his book, "The Atman Project"; i.e., we evolve by changing how we
translate the incoming information of our senses. We go from looking through to
looking at each developmental stage. For most of us, we construct the world by
looking through a semantic framework or grid; when we transcend this stage, we will
be able to look at our semantic structure. Likewise in the film, Dave sees the next
stage from outside and then becomes it: the outsider, the astronaut, the urbane man,
the old man on the death bed, and finally rebirth as the Star Child. Or as Crowley
puts it in "Magick" when describing the grade of Adeptus (Exemptus); "Completes in
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perfection all these matters. He then either (a) becomes a Brother of the Left Hand
Path or, (b) is stripped of all his attainments and of himself as well, even his
Holy Guardian Angel, and becomes a Babe of the Abyss, who having transcended the
Reason, does nothing but grow in the womb of its mother."

So we contend that "The Mythic" is everywhere, everywhen, and despite our cultural
estrangement from myths, "The Mythic" still emerges through our media in many
guises, which includes, but is not exclusive to, Western movies.
Handfast Ritual
This is adapted from "Magical Rites from the Crystal Well" by Ed Fitch and is a
combination of their handfast ritual and american indian ceremonial prelude. I'll
skip over the consecration as it is a standard one and get straight to the ritual
itself. We had a Priestess only, so this was written with that in mind but could
easily be adapted for a Priest and Priestess.
At this time and in this place
Do we call upon the Spirits of the Land
As well as the Mighty Ones of the Skies.
We call upon the Gods of our own distant past
From lands far away.
We call upon the Gods of our spiritual brethren
Who once called this place
Their own.
Witness and rejoyce with us in this moment
As love is affirmed.
__Groom's name__ and __Bride's name__ step forward
Stand before the Gods and those who witness on Earth
__Groom's name__, if it is your wish to become one with this woman
Will you pledge your love through all that may come
As long as love shall last?

<Groom replies: I so pledge>

__Bride's name__, if it is your wish to become one with this man

Will you pledge your love through all that may come As long as love shall last?

<Bride replies: I so pledge>

Does any say nay?

As the Gods and the Old Ones are witness

With those of us present now,
I now proclaim you man and wife1
Thus are thy hands fasted...
The Two are now One,
This work is done
And joy is yet begun!

There is also a portion for the rings using a wand that was left out of ours but is
normally placed immediately after the vows and is as follows...
The rings are placed upon the wand before the ritual and the wand upon the altar.
(This is written for bot Priest and Priestess present)

The priest picks up the wand and holds one end before him in his right hand,
the priestess likewise holds the other end in her left hand.

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Place your right hands
Over this wand...
And your rings...
His hand over hers.

Above you are the stars

Below you are the stones
As time passes, remember...
Like a star should your love burn brightly,
Like the earth should your love be firm.
Be free in giving of affection and of warmth.
Have no fear, and let not the ways or words
Of the unenlightened give you unease.
For the Gods are with you,
Now and always!
The rings are exchanged during the vows.
Handfasting (Celtic)
This is a copy of a Celtic handfasting I found in the book _Finn Mac Cool_ by
Morgan Llywelyn.
Bride and Groom repeat the following together:
You cannot possess me for I belong to myself. But while we both wish it, I give you
that which is mine to give. You cannot command me for I am a free person. But I
shall serve you in those ways you require and the honeycomb will taste sweeter
coming from my hand. I pledge to you that yours will be the name I cry aloud in the
night, and the eyes into which I smile in the morning. I pledge to you the first
bite from my meat and the first drink from my cup. I pledge to you my living and my
dying, each equally in your care. I shall be a shield for your back, and you for
mine. I shall not slander you, nor you me. I shall honor you above all others, and
when we quarrel, we shall do so in private and tell no strangers our grievances.
This is my wedding vow to you. This is the marriage of equals.
The Priest or Priestess says:
These promises you make by the sun and the moon, by fire and water, by day and
night, by land and sea. With these vows you swear, by the God and Goddess, to be
full partners, each to the other. If one drops the load, the other will pick it up.
If one is a discredit to the other, his own honor will be forfeit, generation upon
generation, until he repairs that which was damaged and finds that which was lost.
Should you fail to keep the oath you pledge today, the elements themselves will
reach out and destroy you.
??

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