Message #406 - MAGICKNET Date: 12-06-95 21:52 From: Josh Norton To: The Cegorach Subject: Solar consciousness 2/2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- @MSGID: 93:9400/0.0 30c656d2 [... continued from previous message.] Now, the consciousness is just as much caught up in its own self-image as it is in the other three sub-selves (and in the physical body, which constitutes a fourth). In none of them is the consciousness really in control of things; it is a prisoner of their activity and is more or less forced to follow along where their reactions take it. It's experience is almost entirely as a being-in-the-world, and as a being- in-relation-to-the-world. (To be fair, it does have some slight awareness of itself as something outside the activity of the sub-selves, but this awareness is very vague and inchoate, and is easily overridden by the more vivid impressions coming from the sub-selves.) To get into the "Solar" state the awareness, the "I" of the being, has to free itself from this state of control. There are very many ways to do this, and I don't propose to go into them now. Suffice to say that by one means or another, the various sub-selves are brought under conscious control; the inappropriate patterns acquired from early training are eliminated, and their innate patterns of reaction are reduced in intensity so that they no longer dominate the consciousness. When this has been done, the consciousness is then able to move into the solar state. The real essence of the solar experience is that the person ceases to identify his consciousness with the four major sub-selves, and begins to acquire a perception of himself as a being-in-itself, a spiritual individuality which uses those sub-selves as vehicles of expression, but is not part of them. As a being who perceives and acts in the mundane world but remains apart from it. Note that this is not just an intellectual apprehension, but a _directly perceivable fact_ of his subjective experience. He feels himself to be an "I" that exists apart from his body, senses, emotions and feelings, thoughts. He now perceives his self-image and its behaviors as a mask, a role that he has taken on. He can act on and through all of them without his perceived self being greatly affected by them. At the same time he starts to perceive this new, separate "I" as a being of energy, and an entirely new world opens up in which everything is composed of magickal energies operating through icons and archetypes. He feels as if he has literally been "illuminated", that he is radiating like a sun, from the heart outwards, on some magickal level of existence. He is completely correct in this feeling. And since the soul is the true center-point of the total human being, he also feels like he is in a state of perfect balance, in which the entire universe balances against itself with himself as the pivot. The sense of exaltation and well-being you get in this experience is really quite indescribable. But in retrospect, it seems that much of its intensity is simply because of its unprecedented nature; completely new experiences tend to hit you harder. And because of its unprecendented nature, newbies usually don't handle it very well -- myself included, in my time. They indulge in all sorts of silliness, making absurd pronouncements, acting like pompous and arrogant gits, and generally making nuisances of themselves to their friends and acquaintances. They feel so good that they don't realize what they are doing. After a while the intensity wears off, and the person starts to reacquire a sense of perspective. Usually it takes some time for the person to stabilize himself on that level; the new power in him tends to exaggerate any remaining problems in the activity of the sub-selves, and he has to work consciously and hard to bring them completely into line. Then things get _really_ interesting -- but that's another story. (I note I haven't dealt with the subject in terms of the IRNI formula, but this is the basic scoop.) --- Maximus 2.02 * Origin: BaphoNet-Between-Rivers @ 201/434-3694 (93:9400/0) @PATH: 9400/0 9600/0 9000/0 9004/0 Message #441 - MAGICKNET Date: 12-08-95 23:49 From: Frank Mertus To: Lewis Cypher Subject: astrology ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LC>Barrett's explaination of material existence in his book,The Magus, also LC>shows how people's preoccupation with Natal Charts, and Magicians' LC>dependance on astrological timing, as explainations for success and LC>failure, is delusion, and a self fulfilling prophesy. Greetings, Please pardon my intrusion, but... I'm an advocate of Astrology. I read the title of your first message and immediately snatched up my sword ready to defend Astrology. Then I read what you have to say and hung my sword back on the wall. I view astrology as a force, or current comprised of the influences of the various planets, asteroids, etc. This force impresses a pattern upon us at our birth. This defines the "stuff" we have to work with in this lifetime. This also, encompasses the "stuff" that works against us. I agree, that folks who allow themselves to be controlled be astrology are seriously misled. Astrology is a method to show us the forces at work. The purpose of astrology is to help us overcome those outside forces and, eventually, be able to step outside of them. A true Sage of astrology cannot be Pigeonholed by his/her chart. They have risen above it. I also, believe that if you wish to do a certain working ,say w/ education, then having Mercury beneficially aspected will aid your working. But if you don't have the time to wait for Mercury, then do it anyway. The will of the magician is the key element and ideally should be able to effect a change against the strongest planetary opposition. In short, astrology is a useful TOOL. Treat it as such and it can be very rewarding. Thanks for your time. In light... LC>If the nature of the highest manifestation of the human mind is more LC>like the nature of the Intelligences, and the power of the Intelligences LC>is to impress control upon the stars, then a person's mind, when it is LC>in touch with its celestial nature (soul), can dictate the nature of the LC>stars rather than be dictated TO by the stars. We make our own lives and LC>work, because we are stronger than the influence of the stars and LC>planets. LC>For example, if misfortune begins to fall upon you because of an LC>unfortunate Saturn in your chart, (you believe) then willful action on LC>your part can change misfortune to fortune, unless your will has been LC>robbed by your belief that misfortune is inevitable. Choosing to be just LC>like your chart is creating your world in its image.This is emphasised LC>by the Budda, when he said,"You are what you think, having become what LC>you thought." LC>The same idea, but in refference to Magic Works, is to be seen in the LC>following excerpt from an excellent collection of essays on magic LC>called,"The Complete Book Of Spells Ceremonies And Magic", by Migene LC>Gonzalez-Wippler: LC>"Sometimes the magician fails in his intentions and his magic work comes LC>to naught. When this happens it is an indication that his will was not LC>concentrated enough or that he made a mistake somewhere in the ritual."" LC>These failures can be also blamed conveniently on bad astrological LC>aspects or on negative vibrations around the magician."" But in reality LC>the true powers of the magician lie within himself."" He is the creator LC>on a physical level, and if his concentration is strong, and his will is LC>unshakable, then there should be no failures in his magical work." LC>Magic works because the human soul acts in the same way as the Celestial LC>Intelligences to impress virtue and form upon gross matter with or LC>without the aid of the stars. Some of us manifest our higher natures, LC>and use them skillfully, and some of us will refuse to manifest higher LC>consciousness and potential at all, perfering to fixate on the illusion LC>of permanent form (I will always be rich and healthy), and maintaining LC>their corpreal form out of habit rather than intent. But to those who LC>study creation in accordance with will, which is one definition of LC>magic, nothing is forever and everything is possible. LC>--- Maximus 3.00 LC> * Origin: Mysteria * Be ye mystic * 818-353-8891 (1:102/943) LC>SEEN-BY: 102/747 943 103/275 202/311 218/704 349/7 9600/0 9700/0 9703/0 LC>8 30 --- ~ OLX 2.1 ~ If you can't laugh at yourself, someone else will. -- DLG Mailroom:QWK v1.0 --- DLG Pro v0.999 * Origin: Shades of Reality BBS <> (503) 772-0569 [28.8k/V.FC] (93:9703/0) @PATH: 349/7 102/943 9600/0 9000/0 9004/0