An Outlook On Our Inner Western Way 0877284938, 9780877284932
William Gray is one of the most prolific--and controversial--occultists writing today. Blending keen insight, modern psy
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AN OUTLOOK ON
OUR INNER WESTERN WAY WILLIAM G. GRAY
SAMUEL WEISER
NEW YORK
Contents 1. O u r I n n e r W e s t e r n W a y , 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
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Symbolic Significance, 16 T h e S a c r e d Self-Sacrifice, 28 Looking O v e r t h e Line, 40 M a g i c and the W e s t , 76 T o w a r d s the T e m p l e , 93 If We W o u l d Stand, 111 " T h e M o r e I t C h a n g e s , t h e M o r e I t S t a y s t h e Same", What Now?, 140
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1. Our Western Inner Way
C o n s i d e r i n g t h e w i d e s p r e a d revival o f i n t e r e s t i n t h e o c c u l t i n r e c e n t y e a r s , it is still surprising h o w f e w people raised in t h e W e s t a r e c o n s c i o u s l y a w a r e o f its Unique I n n e r T r a d i t i o n — t h e s e c r e t spirituality b e h i n d o u r W e s t e r n w a y o f life. I t h a s n o t o n l y m a d e u s w h a t w e a r e today, but, m o r e i m p o r t a n t l y , i t can help p r e p a r e u s for t h e f u t u r e . T h i s r e a c h e s far d e e p e r t h a n o u r h i s t o r i c a l o r c u l t u r a l h e r i t a g e alone. I t i s t h e l i n e a g e and p r o g r e s s o f w h a t can o n l y b e called t h e ' W e s t e r n S o u l ' , w h i c h develops a s w e e v o l v e u p o n this planet. T h i s e v o l u t i o n is perceptible f r o m a p u r e l y spiritual v i e w point, q u i t e apart f r o m t h e r e s t r i c t e d beliefs and physical boundaries of material existence. Unless we strive to reach b e y o n d r a t i o n a l i t y , and a c q u a i n t o u r s e l v e s w i t h t h e spiritual and m a g i c a l r e a l m s w h e r e o u r ' R e a l S e l v e s ' reside, w e shall n e v e r understand the purpose of our incarnation. To understand these i n n e r s p h e r e s o f r e a l i t y , w e m u s t e n t e r and experience t h e m . P e r h a p s t h e g r e a t e s t single o b s t a c l e t o a c h i e v i n g t h i s a w a r e n e s s lies i n t h e e x t r a o r d i n a r y e l u s i v e n e s s o f o u r W e s t e r n Inner Way. If we were seeking enlightenment through the m y s t i c a l o r spiritual disciplines o f t h e O r i e n t , w e w o u l d h a v e welldefined p a t h s o n e v e r y side. Y e t , w h e n w e t r y t o c o n t a c t
2 / AN O U T L O O K ON O U R INNER WESTERN WAY
equivalent systems in the West, we discover an apparently d i s j o i n t e d c o l l e c t i o n o f F o l k t a l e s and a p o c r y p h a l w r i t i n g s , interpreted t h r o u g h t h e bigotry and ignorance of modern c o m m e n t a t o r s a n d t r a n s l a t o r s . A t p r e s e n t , o u r s u r v i v i n g tradit i o n s , and t h e i r revivals and a d a p t a t i o n s , w o u l d t a k e e n t i r e incarnations to trace—let alone evaluate. In future generations, w h o k n o w s w h a t could—or will—be constructed out of something so superficially c o n f u s i n g a n d c o n f l i c t i n g . It is f o r t u n a t e for us t h a t a f e w s o u l s in e a c h g e n e r a t i o n h a v e t h e p a t i e n c e and dedication to find—and f o l l o w — t h i s old line of faith in Life, w h i c h steadily leads t o w a r d t h e W e s t e r n W a y o f E n l i g h t e n m e n t . T o d i s c o v e r t h i s a s individuals, w e m u s t p l u n g e v e r y deep, avoiding surface obstructions that hinder us from consciously claiming our r i g h t f u l , b u t carefully c o n c e a l e d h e r i t a g e . *
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W h a t i s t h e I n n e r W a y o f t h e W e s t ? A n y o n e a s k i n g this q u e s t i o n i n all s i n c e r i t y will e n c o u n t e r s t r a n g e replies f r o m m a n y unexpected quarters. Unfortunately, the intentions of many w o u l d - b e guides t o t h e I n n e r P l a n e s a r e m o r e like g u i d e d m i s s i l e s a i m e d a t t h e s e e k e r ' s w a l l e t . S e l d o m h a v e s o m a n y s h a r k s snapped s o e a g e r l y a s t h e u n s u s p e c t i n g p l u n g e i n t o deep o c c u l t w a t e r s u n s u p p o r t e d by a n y t h i n g e x c e p t a w e l l - i n f l a t e d m o n e y belt. F r o m m y s t i c supply s h o p s t o w i t c h c o v e n s , ' O r d e r s ' o f t h i s , t h a t , and o t h e r , s t r e t c h g r e e d y h a n d s t o w a r d t h e gullible. N o n e b u t t h e t r u l y p o o r i n spirit could possibly n a v i g a t e t h r o u g h s u c h p i r a t e i n f e s t e d w a t e r s and e m e r g e e n r i c h e d b y t h e e x p e r i e n c e . I n c r e d i b l y , t h e muddle c o n f r o n t i n g m o d e r n pilgrims o f t h e W e s t e r n W a y i s a c t u a l l y part a n d p a r c e l o f its p r o g r a m . I t can b e c o n s i d e r e d a c o n t e m p o r a r y v e r s i o n o f t h e d a n g e r o u s a n d delusive 'Dweller on the T h r e s h o l d ' w h o guarded the gates of the ancient M y s t e r i e s . T h i s fabled h o r r o r r e p r e s e n t s e v e r y t h i n g i n o u r s e l v e s t h a t s e e k s t o p r e v e n t u s f r o m a c h i e v i n g a s t a t e o f spiritual p e r f e c t i o n . E i t h e r w e c h a l l e n g e a n d c o n q u e r t h i s n e g a t i v e side o f o u r n a t u r e , o r w e r e m a i n a n o u t s i d e r and g e t n o c l o s e r , consciously, to the truth of our I n n e r Identities. T h i s i s e x a c t l y t h e p r o b l e m set b e f o r e u s b y t h e r e p u t e d r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f o u r 'Hidden H o l y T r a d i t i o n ' . W h a t , i f a n y t h i n g , i s g e n u i n e and w h a t i s d e c e p t i v e ? F o r t h o s e able t o d e t e c t t h e d i f f e r e n c e , and m a k e t h e i r w a y t h r o u g h t h e w o r k i n g s o f t h e W e s t e r n M y s t e r i e s , this is a c r u c i a l t e s t . In t h e past, this q u e s t w a s
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i l l u s t r a t e d by t h e popular f o l k t a l e of a h e r o s t r i v i n g for s o m e lofty o b j e c t i v e . T h e g o a l w a s usually t o b e f o u n d i n a s t r o n g h o l d w h o s e e n v i r o n s c o n c e a l e d e v e r y i m a g i n a b l e o b s t a c l e and t r a p — s o m e c o e r c i v e , o t h e r s d a n g e r o u s , a n d a f e w e v e n fatal. Y e t , n o n e o f t h e m w e r e i n s u r m o u n t a b l e , providing t h e y o u n g hopeful u s e d his r e s o u r c e f u l n e s s , and o b e y e d i n s t r u c t i o n s f r e q u e n t l y i m p a r t e d t o h i m b y a n o l d e r and w i s e r well w i s h e r . E v e n t u a l l y , guided b y his o w n i n s p i r a t i o n , a n d t h e p o s s i b l e a s s i s t a n c e o f a g o o d fairy, h e m a n a g e d t o o v e r c o m e all o b s t a c l e s a n d gain a c c e s s t o t h e g o a l itself. T h e point being, o f c o u r s e , t h a t his m a n e u v e r i n g t h r o u g h t h e s e p r e p a r a t o r y trials b r o u g h t o u t t h e q u a l i t i e s o f c h a r a c t e r e s s e n t i a l t o his u l t i m a t e s u c c e s s . U n l e s s h e had p o s s e s s e d t h e p e r s o n a l r e s o u r c e s n e c e s s a r y t o o v e r c o m e t h e l e s s e r difficulties, h e w o u l d h a v e b e e n totally u n f i t t o c o p e w i t h m o r e crucial o n e s . All o f t h i s applies d i r e c t l y t o o u r W e s t e r n I n n e r W a y . Its spiritual a c t u a l i t y is indeed s u r r o u n d e d by a v a s t field of misleading, i n a c c u r a t e and d i v e r s i o n a r y m a t e r i a l . W e m i g h t well s u p p o s e t h a t its a p p o i n t e d g u a r d i a n s h a v e c a m o u f l a g e d its p a t h s v e r y c l e v e r l y a g a i n s t u n w o r t h y e n t r a n t s and u n w e l c o m e i n t r u d e r s . O n l y t h o s e i n t e l l i g e n t and d e t e r m i n e d e n o u g h t o p e n e t r a t e t h e b a r r i e r s and s u r m o u n t t h e f o r m i d a b l e o b s t a c l e s a r e likely t o r e a c h t h e realities s y m b o l i z e d b y t h e goal. T h r o u g h this filtering s y s t e m , s o m e t i m e s called t h e ' O u t e r C o u r t ' , aspiring souls s o r t t h e m s e l v e s o u t s t a g e b y s t a g e a s t h e y r e s p o n d t o v a r i o u s spiritual s t i m u l i . I n t h i s w a y , t h e y s e l e c t t h e i r o w n s t a t u s and e i t h e r m a k e c o n s i s t e n t p r o g r e s s t o w a r d t r u e r s y s t e m s o f living, o r r e m a i n s t r a n d e d a t s o m e p a r t i c u l a r level until r e a d y t o r e l e a s e t h e m s e l v e s and c o n t i n u e a l o n g a c o r r e c t e d c o u r s e . T h e r e f o r e , f r o m a spiritual v i e w p o i n t , all t h e a p p a r e n t r u b b i s h , a b s u r d i t y and c o m m e r c i a l c l a p t r a p o b s c u r i n g t h e e n t r a n c e s t o o u r W e s t e r n I n n e r T r a d i t i o n a r e really q u i t e valuable. N o t h i n g e l s e c a t e g o r i z e s s e e k e r s o f g e n u i n e s e l f w a y s t o I l l u m i n a t i o n so quickly and e f f e c t i v e l y as this 'acid t e s t ' of o c c u l t acumen. Well-meaning meanderers through the O u t e r Court usually c o m e t o little h a r m a p a r t f r o m w a s t e d t i m e and m o n e y , and t h e y m a y actually, e v e n t u a l l y , p r o d u c e s o m e u s e f u l e x p e r i e n c e s . O v e r - e a g e r e n t h u s i a s t s f r e q u e n t l y b e c o m e happily abs o r b e d w i t h t h e t o y s and g a m e s left a r o u n d f o r c h i l d r e n t o play w i t h , and c h e e r f u l l y pass a l i f e t i m e in a m i a b l e a m u s e m e n t . T h o s e with m o r e devious motivations frequently injure themselves with
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t h e v e r y t o o l s t h e y pick u p i n h o p e s o f h u r t i n g o t h e r s . O n l y t h o s e f e w w i t h t h e ability t o find t h e i r w a y t h r o u g h t h e t a n g l e s o f t h i s t h o r n y a r e a s t e p b y s t e p will c o m e a n y w h e r e close t o t h e t r u t h s . As an example, it is obvious that n o n e of the catchpenny c l a i m a n t s t o m o d e r n o c c u l t s u p e r m a r k e t r y c a n possibly provide anything except expensive e n t e r t a i n m e n t or overpriced handic r a f t s . N o t h i n g o f a purely spiritual n a t u r e c a n e v e r b e p u r c h a s e d o r b a r t e r e d . T h u s , a n y claims i n v o l v i n g t h e sale o f spiritual p o w e r s , privileges, o r specific p r o p e r t i e s , a r e b y t h e i r v e r y n a t u r e false. H o w e v e r , for s o m e t h i n g t o b e false, t h e r e m u s t , b y n e c e s s i t y , b e s o m e t r u t h p r o v i n g i t so. O n c e w e realize h o w t o read the directions correctly, w h a t e v e r falsehoods have attached t h e m s e l v e s t o o u r T r a d i t i o n will a l s o act a s i n d i c a t o r s o f its t r u t h s . In a sense, we might expect our W e s t e r n Inner W a y to contain a c o r e o f t r u t h p r o t e c t e d b y a d e f e n s i v e c o v e r i n g o f f a l s e h o o d and d e c e p t i o n . T h e m o r e o u r T r a d i t i o n i s m i s u s e d and m i s t r e a t e d , t h e t h i c k e r and m o r e c o n f u s i n g t h a t c o v e r i n g b e c o m e s . J u s t a s t h e body p r o d u c e s s c a r t i s s u e o v e r a w o u n d , an i n j u r y to t h e soul r e a c t s m u c h t h e s a m e . S i n c e a T r a d i t i o n e x p r e s s e s t h e soul of a people, it f o l l o w s similar laws. O u r tradition h a s s u f f e r e d a g r e a t deal o f t h i s s c a r r i n g d u r i n g its l o n g life, and has c o n s e q u e n t l y d e v e l o p e d a p r o t e c t i v e layer o v e r t h e e n t r a n c e s t o t h e d e p t h s from w h e n c e i t d e r i v e s , and w h e r e t h e final decisions c o n c e r n i n g o u r ultimate destiny are made. It is small wonder, then, that paths to t h e I n n e r T r a d i t i o n o f t h e W e s t a r e s o hard t o find. In a magical s e n s e , a c t u a l m e m b e r s h i p in t h e W e s t e r n M y s t e r i e s is a m a t t e r of b i r t h and blood, and t h e r e are m a n y souls entitled to that distinction w h o are not consciously aware of their potential. B u t , to become an active C o m p a n i o n of the W e s t e r n W a y , w i t h an initiated i n t e l l i g e n c e , is q u i t e a s t e p . Q u a l i f i c a t i o n s for that degree of a c h i e v e m e n t can be e x t r e m e m l y demanding, and p r o b a t i o n a r y periods a r e usually v e r y long. O n l y t h e m o s t d e v o t e d a n d dedicated souls are likely t o e x a l t t h e m s e l v e s e n o u g h t o c o n t a c t e v e n t h e r e l a t i v e l y m i n o r levels o f I n n e r life. N e v e r t h e l e s s , i f o n e i s b r a v e e n o u g h t o face t h e trials, n o g e n u i n e applicant s e e k i n g a d m i s s i o n t o t h e O u t e r C o u r t i s e v e r denied a c h a n c e t o claim his b i r t h r i g h t . E v e n individuals w h o d o n ' t i n t e n d t o d e l i b e r a t e l y p u r s u e spiritual a d v a n c e m e n t i n this i n c a r n a t i o n w o u l d be w e l l advised to m a k e all possible i n q u i r i e s a b o u t o u r T r a d i t i o n . K n o w l e d g e i s n e v e r w a s t e d , a n d w h a t w e p o u r back
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into our common store of consciousness will always be available for future earth lives. Let's begin by looking at the origins of the Western Way to see how—and why—it is different from the traditions of other parts of the world. To answer this clearly, we must start with the dawn of human differentiation, when mankind was slowly sorting itself into the distinct categories of consciousness needed for proper adaption to life at each level of existence. As primal inhabitants of this earth, we were steadily moving ourselves into suitable positions for collective and individual relationships, and, potential spiritual entities, we were slowly establishing our inner existence along parallel lines. This is to say, that we were establishing our existence in conformity with the cosmic pattern which originally produced us from what we have come to call 'the Void' or 'Nothing', since we can discern nothing at all of its true nature. The accepted symbol of our pattern of evolution is the Cosmic Cross, which describes this dynamic and indefinable Life in all its aspects. First, imagine the early planetary sphere as a centrifuge> steadily impelling souls toward whichever level or condition corresponds best to their predominant characteristics. This produced four major variations, arranged according to the gravitational and magnetic fields of the earth itself. We can distinguish these divisions as follows: 1. EASTERN—against the direction of the spin. 2. WESTERN—with the direction of the spin. 3. EQUATORIAL—receiving the maximum effect of the spin. 4. POLAR—receiving the minimum effect of the spin. Both recorded history and recent archaeological investigations indicate that the first civilizations developed in the East. What trends, then, led mankind in divergent directions? Strictly speaking, motivation for such movement usually arose from a conflict of temperaments. The migratory instinct in man has always resulted in a movement away from an environment where attitudes have been at variance, in search of places arid people who are more in sympathy with new aims and ideals. It is a basic story of attraction and repulsion. We live in a bi-polar world of alternating light and dark and tend to follow these principles
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w h e r e v e r t h e y apply. I n this c a s e , w e b e g a n i n t h e E a s t w i t h mankind massed t o g e t h e r in close communities which g r e w into cities and n a t i o n s . T h e s e c o m m u n i t i e s w e r e usually g o v e r n e d b y a n e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f privileged p e r s o n s e x e r c i s i n g a c e n t r a l c o n t r o l t h r o u g h e i t h e r military, e c o n o m i c o r r e l i g i o u s m e a n s . B y and l a r g e , individualism s a n k b e n e a t h t h e s h e e r w e i g h t o f collectivism and individual i d e n t i t y w a s s u b m e r g e d in a sea of i m p o s e d c o n v e n t i o n s and h e r d h a b i t s . M i l l i o n s still accept this c o n d i t i o n q u i t e willingly and a r e c o n t e n t t o r e m a i n s u b s e r v i e n t for m a n y i n c a r n a t i o n s . O u t o f such g e n e r a l c o n d i t i o n s g r e w t h e T r a d i t i o n of the East. A t t h e o t h e r e x t r e m e , t h e divine d e s t i n y o f m a n m a n i f e s t s a s a n i n h e r e n t p r o c e s s o f individuation i n t o a n i m m o r t a l spiritual s t a t e . T h o s e w h o h e a r d this c o s m i c call, b u t w e r e f r u s t r a t e d i n its f u l f i l m e n t b y c o n d i t i o n s o f h u m a n s o c i e t y , w e r e faced w i t h o n e option—they must m o v e in search of freedom. T h u s , a westerly m i g r a t i o n of s u c h souls c o n t i n u e d in a c o n s t a n t s t r e a m , taking w i t h i t w h a t e v e r c u l t u r e and c u s t o m s w e r e suitable t o t h e i r n e w mission. But, h o w e v e r these traditions were employed, the i n c r e a s i n g i m p o r t a n c e o f t h e individual i n t h e c o m m u n i t y b e c a m e m o r e a c c e n t e d a s t h e g e n e r a t i o n s passed. A s c o l l e c t i v i s m o v e r t o o k s t a t i c s e t t l e m e n t s , m i g r a t i o n s r e a c h e d f a r t h e r and f a r t h e r w e s t u n t i l finally, during t h e last c e n t u r i e s , t h e circle h a s c l o s e d — w i t h t h e s a t u r a t i o n point i n A m e r i c a . S o g r e w t h e T r a d i t i o n o f t h e West. T h e E q u a t o r i a l T r a d i t i o n developed t h r o u g h t h o s e w h o , w i t h o u t g r e a t drives in a n y direction, m e r e l y s o u g h t to live in lush c o n d i t i o n s o f p r o v i d e n t n a t u r e w i t h a m i n i m u m o f e f f o r t , and p r e f e r a b l y w i t h o u t dictatorial i n t e r f e r e n c e . T h e i r s w a s t h e dolce far niente w a y o f life. T h e y w e r e c o n t e n t t o s u b s i s t u n a m b i t i o u s l y f r o m day t o day, w h i l e d r e a m i n g o f g l o r i o u s t o m o r r o w s full o f miracles. O p p o s i n g this i s t h e P o l a r T r a d i t i o n , w h i c h a r o s e a m o n g t h o s e w h o felt t h e n e e d o f individuation s o s t r o n g l y t h a t t h e y w e r e p r e p a r e d t o face t h e h a r d e s t and t o u g h e s t c o n d i t i o n s o f this w o r l d i n its pursuit. T h e y w r u n g t h e i r lives o u t o f r e m o t e and i n h o s p i t a b l e r e g i o n s o u t of a desire for i n d e p e n d e n c e . F o r t h e m , a d v e r s i t y w a s s o m e t h i n g t o b e a t t a c k e d and c o n q u e r e d . A c t i o n w a s t h e i r w a y o u t o f a n y t h i n g , and i s o l a t i o n w a s a s t a t e o f spirit t o a c h i e v e w i t h fierce pride.
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O r i g i n a l l y , this d i s t r i b u t i o n o f h u m a n t e m p e r a m e n t w a s largely g e o g r a p h i c a l , b u t i t h a s b e c o m e m o r e and m o r e a m a t t e r o f c h a r a c t e r a l o n e a s t o w h i c h people a r e b e s t suited t o p a r t i c u l a r traditions. S i n c e w e a r e c o n c e r n e d w i t h t h e r i s e and d e v e l o p m e n t of t h e W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n in particular, it is h i g h l y i m p o r t a n t to r e c o g n i z e its r o o t s i n t h e h u m a n i n s t i n c t o f individuation. I n o t h e r w o r d s , f o r a t r u e W e s t e r n e r , t h e c o m m u n i t y and its c u l t u r e e x i s t s primarily t o provide t h e individual w i t h t h e b a c k g r o u n d n e c e s s a r y t o a c h i e v e his o w n a i m s . T h e i m p r o v e m e n t o f individual s t a t u s i s o f p a r a m o u n t i m p o r t a n c e , and t h e c o n c e p t o f ' S t a t e ' i s m e r e l y a m u t u a l s e r v i c e i n t e n d e d t o assist such a n end. T h i s m a y s o u n d v e r y idealistic, but it is t h e f u n d a m e n t a l f a c t o r b e h i n d t h e e n t i r e W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n — h o w e v e r far w e fall s h o r t o f it. U n l e s s this point i s e n t i r e l y appreciated and u n d e r s t o o d , t h e I n n e r W a y o f o u r T r a d i t i o n c a n n o t possibly b e r e c o g n i z e d , far less f o l l o w e d o r p r a c t i c e d w i t h a n y d e g r e e o f fidelity. T h e k e y n o t e o f o u r I n n e r W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n could b e called ' m u t u a l m o n a d i s m ' — p e o p l e aiding e a c h o t h e r t o b e c o m e individual m e m b e r s o f t h e S u p r e m e Spirit, a c k n o w l e d g e d a s t h e U l t i m a t e E n t i t y . I f w e d o n o t fully a p p r e c i a t e t h e r o o t s o f o u r T r a d i t i o n , t h e r e i s little h o p e o f u n d e r s t a n d i n g h o w i t g r e w and h o w its v a r i o u s b r a n c h e s of belief developed. P e r h a p s w o r s e , it will n o t be s e e n t h a t this tradition is an actual living fact w h i c h is o u r f o u n d a t i o n and is d r a w i n g us i n t o a f u t u r e alive w i t h t h e h o p e and c o n f i d e n c e for this w o r l d o r a n y o t h e r w o r l d w e m a y r e a c h . A s k o n e p e r s o n w h a t c o m p r i s e s t h e W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n and t h e y w o u l d reply D r u i d i s m . A n o t h e r w o u l d say Q a b a l i s m , and a n o t h e r R o s i c r u c i a n i s m , w h i l e o t h e r s w o u l d put i n c l a i m s for a n c i e n t f a i r y - f a i t h s , C e l t i c gods, o r supposed survivals o f primitive p a g a n i s m n o w miscalled " w i t c h c r a f t . " S o m e would c e r t a i n l y s a y C h r i s t i a n i t y . T h e r e is a wide c h o i c e , y e t all t h a t can be t r u l y said o f s u c h s y s t e m s i s t h a t t h e y a r e j u s t b r a n c h e s o r o f f s h o o t s o f a T r a d i t i o n e x i s t i n g as a purely spiritual s t r u c t u r e in its o w n right, r o o t e d i n t h e a b s o l u t e c o r e o f o u r being b e y o n d t h e r e a c h o f ordinary human consciousness. T h i s is what is so important to realize: T h e r e e x i s t s w i t h i n us a f u n d a m e n t a l "life faith", linking past, p r e s e n t , a n d f u t u r e in a T r a d i t i o n to w h i c h we b e l o n g b e c a u s e w e live i n its "spiritual s t r e a m " . W e can n o m o r e e s c a p e o r evade this reality t h a n w e m i g h t e x p e c t t o s t a y alive w i t h o u t eating, or breathing. W h a t matters most is how these Traditions
8 / AN O U T L O O K ON O U R
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a r e t r a n s l a t e d i n t o spiritual s y s t e m s w h i c h m a n k i n d can p u r s u e o n t h e d i f f e r e n t life-levels i n o r d e r t o b e c o m e m o r e evolved c r e a t u r e s of consciousness. A s difficult a s i t m a y be, w e h a v e t o s e e o u r t r u e I n n e r T r a d i t i o n as a specific spiritual s t o r e h o u s e o u t of w h i c h we i n t e r p r e t ideas i n w h a t e v e r w a y s w e s u p p o s e o r believe will help u s i n t h e g e n e r a l d i r e c t i o n o f o u r drift t o w a r d s a s t a t e o f p e r f e c t i o n w h i c h could p e r h a p s b e called D i v i n i t y . A s w e w o r k o u r way along, t h e summations of our experiences—or e x p e r i m e n t s a r e i n c o r p o r a t e d i n t o t h e T r a d i t i o n a s additives o r m o d i f i c a t i o n s . T h i s is, o f c o u r s e , e n t i r e l y d e p e n d e n t o n t h e e x t e n t t o w h i c h w e a c t u a l l y live t h e T r a d i t i o n , r a t h e r t h a n j u s t e x i s t i n g r o u n d its edges. F r o m o u r d e e p e s t possible L i f e - d r i v e s c o m e i m p u l s e s w h i c h u r g e b u r c o n s c i o u s activities in a definite spiritual d i r e c t i o n . T h e s e a r e n o t f o r m a l i z e d a t first, b u t c o n s i s t o f w h a t w e m i g h t c o n s i d e r " e n e r g i z e d i n t e n t i o n s " . A s this i n n e r e n e r g y c o m e s c l o s e r and c l o s e r t o levels o f o r d i n a r y h u m a n c o n s c i o u s n e s s , i t p a s s e s t h r o u g h p r o c e s s e s w h i c h s t r u c t u r e and focus i t i n t o c o n c e p t s and ideas we c a n c o m p r e h e n d as people living in this w o r l d . A c c o r d i n g t o t h e n a t u r e , capacity, and ability o f o u r a w a r e n e s s , w e c o n c e i v e and b r i n g f o r t h o u r beliefs f r o m i n n e r f o r c e s . T h i s can t a k e m a n y g e n e r a t i o n s , b u t w e a l w a y s h a v e a m o n g u s a d v a n c e d and inspired souls capable o f c o m p r e h e n d i n g n e w ideas m o r e rapidly. T h e n , w e have the masses w h o eventually c o m e around to accepting a r r a n g e m e n t s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s w h i c h look like a n y kind o f a d v a n t a g e . L a s t , t h e r e a r e t h e laggards w h o o n l y r e s p o n d v e r y s l o w l y , and a r e m o s t l o t h t o alter w h a t e v e r t h e y h a v e m a n a g e d t o assimilate. We a r e n o w b e g i n n i n g to g e t a p i c t u r e of h o w a T r a d i t i o n is built. F i r s t , t h e r e a r e t h e agile, a c t i v e and a d v e n t u r o u s t y p e s w h o r e s p o n d t o i n n e r e n e r g i e s b y f o r m u l a t i n g and a r r a n g i n g t h e m i n t o a f u n c t i o n a l p a t t e r n . T h e s e f o r m u l a t i o n s spread slowly a m o n g t h e less c r e a t i v e s t r a t a s o f people and, i n t i m e , e v e n t h e least r e s p o n s i v e s e g m e n t s o f h u m a n i t y a b s o r b this f o r m a l i z e d e n e r g y . A l l t h e w h i l e , h o w e v e r , individuals a r e " f e e d i n g b a c k " t o this s o u r c e e n e r g y w h i c h h a s b e e n modified and adapted b y t h e i r o w n e x p e r i e n c e . T h i s m e a n s a s t e a d y and c o n s i s t e n t d e v e l o p m e n t o v e r a p r o l o n g e d period. T h e r e f o r e , t h e d e e p e s t levels of a T r a d i t i o n are n o t s t a t i c , b u t e v o l v e at a r a t e r e l a t i v e to t h e chain of lives w h i c h
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a l t e r it. T h i s s h o u l d r e s u l t in a c o n s i s t e n t i m p r o v e m e n t o v e r t h e centuries which ought to show up ultimately as an overall a d v a n c e m e n t o f h u m a n a w a r e n e s s a n d c h a r a c t e r , p r o v i d e d that clear c o n t a c t h a s b e e n faithfully m a i n t a i n e d b e t w e e n t h e L i f e levels t h r o u g h o u t t h e w h o l e t i m e . I t i s difficult for t h e a v e r a g e W e s t e r n e r t o a p p r e c i a t e t h e l e n g t h y p r o c e s s w h i c h r e s u l t s in t h e building of a s t a b l e spiritual Tradition. G e n e r a t i o n s are born with percentages of this awareness s c a t t e r e d a m o n g t h e m , but d u r i n g t h e i r e a r t h lives, i t f o c u s e s i n d i f f e r e n t f o r m s f r o m w h i c h feedback r e t u r n s t h r o u g h c h a n n e l s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s c o n n e c t e d t o t h e s o u r c e o f supply. A s individuals die, t h e i r a n i m a t i n g e n e r g y p a s s e s back a l o n g i n n e r lines t o w a r d g e n e t i c points from w h i c h a r e t u r n is v e r y p r o b a b l e . T h o s e r e i n c a r n a t i n g f r o m t h a t point will n a t u r a l l y t a k e b a c k t r a c e s o f t h e i r T r a d i t i o n i n t h e i r g e n e s , modified o n l y t o t h e s l i g h t e s t d e g r e e a c c o r d i n g t o t h e i r o w n l i m i t a t i o n s . T h u s t h e cycle g o e s O n and o n t h r o u g h t h e a g e s . H i s t o r i c a l l y , it appears t h a t c o n f l i c t i n g c r e e d s and c u s t o m s spring up, e x p e r i e n c e a period of popularity, t h e n fade or disappear a l t o g e t h e r . I n fact, t h e s e a r e m e r e l y t h e o u t w a r d a p p e a r a n c e o f f o r m a l i z e d e n e r g i e s arising f r o m a c o m m o n level o f T r a d i t i o n a s i n t e r p r e t e d individually o r c o l l e c t i v e l y . H o w e v e r w e t h i n k o f t h e m , t h e y a r e but partial 6 r t r a n s i t o r y p r o j e c t i o n s f r o m a T r a d i t i o n b r o u g h t u p for t h e c o n s c i o u s c o n v e n i e n c e o f p a r t i c u l a r e p o c h s o r t y p e s o f s o u l s . U n d e r n e a t h , i n t h e so-called " U n c o n scious", there exists an unbroken Tradition bound up with our spiritual survival. In e f f e c t , a T r a d i t i o n could be d e s c r i b e d as a d i r e c t i o n a l flow o f L i f e - f o r c e from o n e g e n e r a t i o n t o a n o t h e r , a l o n g definite lines o f i n n e r e v o l u t i o n , w i t h t h e o b j e c t i v e o f establishing a state of immortal identity a m o n g Mankind. Perhaps Traditions might be termed channels of Cosmic continuity. A n y o n e able t o identify h i m s e l f i n t o a T r a d i t i o n m a y look back and say: "I c a m e t h a t way; t h a t is me as I w a s , " and equally l o o k i n g f o r w a r d s say: " T h a t is me as I am g o i n g to be e v e n t u a l l y . " S u c h s h o u l d be t h e spiritual value of a T r a d i t i o n to h u m a n b e i n g s . Normally, most humans are not objectively conscious of their Traditions, or their own significance within them. A n y involvem e n t w i t h t h e s e d e e p e r levels a r e g e n e r a l l y s u b c o n s c i o u s and relatively i n s i g n i f i c a n t . N e v e r t h e l e s s , i n t i m e t h e s e a m a s s i n t o appreciable c o n t r i b u t i o n s . T h e t w o e x t r e m e s o f h u m a n i t y m o s t
10 / AN O U T L O O K ON O U R INNER WESTERN WAY
keenly aware of their inner inheritance are those whose c o n s c i o u s n e s s e v o l v e s s l o w e s t o r f a s t e s t . A t o n e end w e h a v e t h e typical c o u n t r y m a n o f any c e n t u r y , and a t t h e o t h e r w e find t h e i n t e n s e i n n o v a t o r o f ideas a n d t h e s e e k e r o f i n s p i r a t i o n f r o m t h e f a r t h e s t spiritual s o u r c e s . O n e l o o k i n g e a r t h w a r d , t h e o t h e r t o w a r d t h e s t a r s , w e m i g h t t h i n k o f t h e m a s P e a s a n t and P o e t . B e t w e e n t h e m , t h e y hold t h e e x t r e m e s o f h u m a n T r a d i t i o n , y e t b o t h a r e e s s e n t i a l t o its p r o g r e s s i o n . T h e value of the slow-changing Peasant is that he maintains t h e e s s e n t i a l " b o d y " of a T r a d i t i o n in t h i s w o r l d for long periods. T h i s g i v e s s u c c e s s i v e g e n e r a t i o n s t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o pick u p k e y s from t h e past quickly and adapt t h e m to c o n t e m p o r a r y living. It is t h e P e a s a n t w h o p r e s e r v e s and p r o l o n g s o u r h i g h e s t h e r i t a g e i n t h e h u m b l e s t w a y . N e v e r t h e l e s s , this is i n s u f f i c i e n t in itself, and w i t h no m o r e s t i r r i n g s t i m u l u s , a T r a d i t i o n w o u l d stultify and s t a g n a t e . P r e v e n t i o n o f t h a t possibility i s t h e t a s k o f o u r P o e t s — a classification t o b e t a k e n i n its b r o a d e s t s e n s e s i n c e t h e y r e a c h far o u t i n t o spiritual space and r e t u r n w i t h e n r i c h m e n t s o f e x p e r i e n c e . T h e s e will e v e n t u a l l y i n t e g r a t e i n t o t h e T r a d i t i o n h e s e r v e s and lift i t t h a t m u c h h i g h e r t o w a r d its u l t i m a t e t a r g e t . B y h i m s e l f , t h e P o e t m i g h t d o n o m o r e t h a n c o n t a c t s u c h spiritual s p h e r e s for his o w n b e n e f i t . Y e t ; t h r o u g h t h e T r a d i t i o n s kept alive b y his less a d v e n t u r o u s b r e t h r e n , t h e P o e t ' s a d v a n c e s and e x c u r s i o n s i n t o t h e b r o a d s p e c t r u m s o f spiritual life a r e c h a n n e l l e d f o r providing c o n s t a n t b e n e f i t s t o fellow m o r t a l s . All t h i s g i v e s us a nice p i c t u r e of a living T r a d i t i o n . T h e " P e a s a n t r y " faithfully p r e s e r v e s t h e past, " P o e t s " e x p l o r e for t h e f u t u r e , a n d plain " P e o p l e " a r e c o n c e r n e d w i t h t h e n e e d s o f " N o w " . W e live t h e s a m e w a y o u r s e l v e s for o u r s h o r t l i f e t i m e s , i f w e e q u a t e " P e a s a n t " w i t h t h e principle o f B o d y , " P e o p l e " w i t h M i n d , and " P o e t " w i t h S o u l , t a k i n g " T r a d i t i o n " t o b e t h e S p i r i t behind o u r b e i n g alive at all. T h e vital t w o - w a y c o n n e c t i o n s b e t w e e n o u r o r d i n a r y c o n s c i o u s n e s s and t h e spiritual s t r e a m o f o u r i n n e r T r a d i t i o n s a r e effected by w h a t e v e r means make c o m m o n contacts with both s t a t e s o f o u r e x i s t e n c e . T h a t i s t o say, w h a t s o e v e r o f a n o b j e c t i v e n a t u r e h a s a s u b j e c t i v e significance capable o f linking u p w i t h o u r d e e p e s t levels o f life. O r c o n v e r s e l y a n y t h i n g o f a p u r e l y spiritual n a t u r e t r a n s l a t a b l e i n t o t e r m s o f o b j e c t i v e h u m a n living. T h e o r e tically, o f c o u r s e , a n y part o f o u r m a t e r i a l u n i v e r s e has its spiritual
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c o u n t e r p a r t and vice v e r s a , but h e r e w e a r e l o o k i n g for specific linkages w h i c h will lead s t r a i g h t f r o m o n e a r e a o f a w a r e n e s s t o t h e o t h e r . T h a t limits o u r field a t o n c e t o w h a t could b e d e s c r i b e d a s " c u l t u r a l " , i n c l u s i v e o f r e l i g i o u s , i n t e l l e c t u a l , a n d similar s p h e r e s o f h u m a n adaption w i t h t h e n o n - p h y s i c a l p r o p o r t i o n o f our existence. M o r e o v e r , we have to use suitable selections which are i n k e e p i n g w i t h t h e k e y n o t e s o f t h e T r a d i t i o n w e are following. I n o u r c a s e , this w o u l d m e a n o u r o u t e r c o n d u c t w i t h i n t h e W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n h a s t o h a r m o n i z e w i t h its i n n e r spiritual specifics if we a r e to live it w i t h a n y d e g r e e of s u c c e s s . S u p p o s e we c o n s i d e r for a m o m e n t w h a t a c u l t u r a l field a m o u n t s to. It is a s u m m a t i o n of h u m a n a t t e m p t s at r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h i n n e r living realities b y m e a n s o f c o n s c i o u s l y c o n t r i v e d s y m b o l i s m . F u r t h e r m o r e , b y i n t e n t i o n a l a r r a n g e m e n t o f its i n t e g r a l s , it a c h i e v e s a d i s t i n c t i v e n a t u r e of its o w n e p i t o m i s i n g t h a t o f its c o n s t r u c t o r s . T h e r e f o r e , t h e m o s t d i r e c t c o n t a c t s w i t h our own Traditions come through cultural channels closest to o u r i n t r i n s i c s t a t e s of selfhood. It is m a k i n g t h e r i g h t r e l a t i o n s h i p s w i t h and t h r o u g h t h e s e w h i c h p r e s e n t s all t h e p r o b l e m s and p e r p l e x i t i e s w e a r e likely t o m e e t w i t h a s f o l l o w e r s o f t h e W e s t e r n Way. T h e main e l e m e n t s o f h u m a n c u l t u r e a r e easily classifiable a c c o r d i n g t o t h e t h r e e m a i n s t e m s o r Pillars s u p p o r t i n g t h e T r e e o f Life. E m o t i o n a l a r t s t o o n e side, i n t e l l e c t u a l p u r s u i t s t o t h e o t h e r side, and purely spiritual a s p i r a t i o n s in t h e middle. S o m e t i m e s t h e s e are called t h e O r p h i c path o f e m o t i o n o n t h e r i g h t , t h e H e r m e t i c P a t h o f i n t e l l e c t o n t h e left, and t h e M y s t i c P a t h o f direct H u m a n - D i v i n e r e l a t i o n s h i p i n t h e c e n t e r . C o n sidered a s c u l t u r a l s t r e a m s , w e e x p e r i e n c e t h e m a s o u r a r t i s t i c , scientific, and religious h e r i t a g e as t h e y apply in t h e i r b r o a d e s t s e n s e t o t h e t h e m e o f t h e T r a d i t i o n itself. D e f i n i n g t h e a c t u a l " t h e m e " of a T r a d i t i o n is e x t r e m e l y difficult. T h r o u g h t h e a g e s , a T r a d i t i o n e s t a b l i s h e s t h e b a s i c s , t h e n gradually picks u p a n d a c c u m u l a t e s a n e v e r i n c r e a s i n g m a s s o f i n n e r e n e r g y related t o t h o s e basics. T h e s e c o m b i n e i n t o a kind of harmonic frequency or "keynote" which becomes the " T h e m e . " It is this t h e m e which determines the appropriate accretions, depletions, variants, or stabilizers necessary to keep the Tradition i n a c o n t i n u o u s s t a t e o f spiritual i n t e g r i t y . W e d o m u c h t h e s a m e t h i n g individually a s o u r bodies t a k e i n q u a n t i t i e s o f c o n s u m a b l e s ,
12 / AN O U T L O O K ON O U R INNER WESTERN W A Y
s o r t o u t r e q u i r e d n u t r i e n t s , and e l i m i n a t e the r e s t . Our minds and souls should f u n c t i o n t h e s a m e w a y . A s w e g r o w and learn w e d e v e l o p overall " l i f e - t h e m e s " w h i c h d e t e r m i n e w h a t w e build into o u r s y s t e m s and w h a t w e h a v e n o affinity w i t h . T h a t i s e x a c t l y w h a t a T r a d i t i o n does o v e r a far l o n g e r period, b e c a u s e it is c o n s t r u c t e d b y h u m a n s o u t o f t h e m s e l v e s a s t h e y live along lines o f i n n e r e x i s t e n c e not limited t o single i n c a r n a t i o n s . T h i s b r i e f description s h o w s h o w I n n e r T r a d i t i o n i n t h e W e s t b e c a m e e s t a b l i s h e d and h o w i t c o n t i n u e s t o s e r v e o u r spiritual n e e d s . It is based on t h e s a n c t i t y of individual e v o l u t i o n t o w a r d a p e r f e c t e d s t a t e o f being, and s y m b o l i z e d b y " I l l u m i n a t i o n " and u l t i m a t e u n i o n w i t h a C o s m o - C o n c e p t i o n w h i c h h a s b e e n called " P e r f e c t P e a c e P r o f o u n d " . T o t h a t end, i t i s c o n s t r u c t e d t h r o u g h c h a n n e l s of c u l t u r e and c o n s c i o u s n e s s w h i c h a c c o r d w i t h s u c h a c o n t i n u i n g t h e m e from o n e g e n e r a t i o n t o a n o t h e r . I t develops t h r o u g h i n n o v a t i o n s b y t h e f e w , adaptions b y t h e m a n y , and c o n s e r v a t i o n s a m o n g t h e m u l t i t u d e s . Its m o s t i m p o r t a n t f u n c t i o n is to provide us w i t h t h e facilities for achieving a s t a t e of i m m o r t a l i d e n t i t y w i t h a h i g h e r condition of b e i n g . Possibly the most intriguing method of establishing conscious contact with our Inner Tradition comes under the general heading o f " M a g i c . " T h i s includes virtually all available c u l t u r a l c h a n n e l s deriving its e l e m e n t s f r o m e v e r y c o n c e i v a b l e a p p r o a c h . I t links t h e a r t s , s c i e n c e s , c r a f t s , beliefs, and e m o t i o n a l and intellectual abilities; in fact, t h e w h o l e field of W e s t e r n c o n s c i o u s n e s s . Individuals m a y h a v e o n l y f r a c t i o n a l p o w e r s i n t h e s e a r e a s , but t h e o v e r a l l c o v e r a g e a m o u n t s t o q u i t e a n i m p r e s s i v e i n n e r total. D e s p i t e t h e e n c y c l o p e d i c k n o w l e d g e and wide practical e x p e r i e n c e o f W e s t e r n magical p r a c t i t i o n e r s , t h e r e a r e f e w visible " t e a c h e r s " o f t h e s u b j e c t itself. W h e r e a r e t h e W e s t e r n e q u i v a l e n t s o f t h e M a h a t m a s , G u r u s and M a s t e r s o f t h e O r i e n t a l t r a d i t i o n ? H o w is it we do n o t find i n s t r u c t o r s of m a g i c a r t s j u s t as we meet those of musical, dramatic, literary, or any o t h e r art? H o w can a s i n c e r e s e e k e r m a k e c o n t a c t w i t h s o m e o n e b o t h willing and able t o guide him o r h e r along t h e W e s t e r n I n n e r W a y ? O u r S e c r e t T r a d i t i o n i s n o t s o m e t h i n g w h i c h can b e l e a r n e d from t h e lips o r w r i t i n g s o f any o n e p e r s o n , n o r can i t b e t a u g h t like a t e c h n i c a l skill. E a c h a s p i r a n t m u s t evoke it out of himself, t h r o u g h i n n e r c o n t a c t s w i t h h i g h e r levels o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s w h i c h directly
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involve s u c h s u p r a - m u n d a n e m a t t e r s . S t r i c t l y speaking, n o b o d y can tell a n y o n e else precisely h o w to do this. All a t e a c h e r can impart is i n f o r m a t i o n c o n c e r n i n g h o w he t h o u g h t he did it on his o w n a c c o u n t , w h i c h m a y o r m a y n o t help w h o e v e r h e i s speaking to. W h a t is m o r e i m p o r t a n t is his ability to actually m e d i a t e i n n e r c o n t a c t s w i t h o u r "spiritual s u p e r i o r s " s o t h a t t h o s e o n l o w e r levels m a y a b s o r b this i n f l u e n c e a l m o s t i n s t i n c t i v e l y and t r a n s l a t e i t later i n t o t e r m s t h e y u n d e r s t a n d i n t h e i r o w n w a y . In other words, a genuine " T e a c h e r " of the Western Inner W a y n e e d not actually u t t e r a single w o r d in o r d e r to pass on his p o w e r . A s t a t e of s h a r e d c o n s c i o u s n e s s w h i c h is linked t h r o u g h the " T e a c h e r " o r m e d i a t o r t o t h e c o r r e c t i n n e r c o n t a c t s i s sufficient. E v e r y t h i n g depends on this m e d i a t i v e ability of a h u m a n soul to link t h e h i g h e s t and l o w e s t side of its n a t u r e so t h a t o t h e r s a w a r e o f the l a t t e r m a y b e n e f i t from t h e i n f l u e n c e o f the f o r m e r . E i t h e r s o m e o n e has developed this faculty in h i m s e l f to an e x t e n t w h e r e o t h e r s are able t o appreciate i t — o r h e h a s not. T h o s e w h o h a v e this ability m a y b e c o n s i d e r e d t r u e " T e a c h e r s " o f o u r T r a d i t i o n , b u t t h o s e w h o h a v e n o t can still b e r e g a r d e d a s i n f o r m e r s o r i n s t r u c t o r s c o n c e r n i n g its purely a c a d e m i c points. T h e r e f o r e , it is p e r f e c t l y possible f o r s o m e o n e to talk of W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n a l topics e i t h e r w i t h a n o t h e r p e r s o n o r a w h o l e audience w i t h o u t actually teaching a single spiritual t h i n g . C o n v e r s e l y , it is possible to c o n t a c t s o m e o n e w h o " p a s s e s on the T r a d i t i o n " w h i l e simply s i t t i n g t o g e t h e r i n silence, o r p e r h a p s during a q u i t e casual c o n v e r s a t i o n or s o m e s h a r e d a m u s e m e n t . In fact, it is o n l y this i n n e r mediation w h i c h really c o m m u n i c a t e s o u r T r a d i t i o n at all. It c a n n o t be passed on by any a m o u n t of talk. We can speak a b o u t its s y m b o l i s m , h i s t o r y , folklore, music, c u s t o m s , o r a n y t h i n g else a b o u t its e x t e r n a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , b u t t h e T r a dition i t s e l f is s o m e t h i n g p u r e l y spiritual and is t r a n s m i t t e d by i n n e r c o n t a c t alone. M o s t people "pick it up as t h e y g o " , a little bit at a t i m e from m a n y s o u r c e s . N o t o n l y from o t h e r souls, but also from c r e a t u r e s and c r e a t i o n s of all kinds. T r a d i t i o n c o m e s t h e s e days as an a b s o r b e d a c c u m u l a t i o n o f i n n e r i m p r e s s i o n s received t h r o u g h media. T h e r e a r e v e r y f e w o t h e r w a y s o p e n w h e r e b y i t could r e a c h m o s t o f m a n k i n d . I n o r d e r t o b o t h c o m m u n i c a t e and i n f o r m i n t e l l i g e n t l y a b o u t it, s o m e o n e would h a v e to spend h a l f a lifetime i n close and c o n s c i o u s c o n t a c t w i t h t h e i n n e r w o r k i n g s o f the
14 / AN O U T L O O K ON O U R INNER WESTERN WAY
W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n . W h a t p e r c e n t a g e o f o u r p e o p l e h a v e done this? O n e ? Probably not nearly that many. O n e in several thousand i s m u c h m o r e likely. T h o s e f e w s o u l s will s c a r c e l y s e e k i n t i m a t e c o n t a c t s w i t h m o r e t h a n a s t r i c t l y limited circle o f a s s o c i a t e s . S o t h e c h a n c e s o f a n o r d i n a r y e n q u i r e r m e e t i n g a really initiated m e m b e r o f t h e W e s t e r n I n n e r W a y a r e v e r y small. I n a n y c a s e , a direct c o n t a c t w o u l d b e o f n o u s e u n l e s s t h e e n q u i r e r a l r e a d y had a n ability t o a b s o r b w h a t w a s being m e d i a t e d . T o t h i n k o f " M a s t e r s " t e a c h i n g e a g e r pupils all t h e a r t s o f m a g i c for t h e i r p e r s o n a l gain is t o t a l l y u n r e a l i s t i c . As a m a t t e r of interest, the words "Master", " T e a c h e r " , or similar terms indicating spiritual s u p e r i o r i t y a r e n o l o n g e r u s e d i n W e s t e r n i n i t i a t e d circles. T h o s e s o d e s c r i b i n g t h e m s e l v e s w o u l d b e o u t s i d e t h o s e a r e a s . N o s i n c e r e soul, a w a r e o f his c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e Western Inner Way, considers himself higher, better, or worth m o r e t h a n his fellow b e i n g s . H e i s simply i n c r e a s i n g l y c o n s c i o u s o f his o b l i g a t i o n s to Life and a c c e p t s a g r e a t e r r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o w a r d s t h e S p i r i t and e v e r y species t h e r e o f . I t does n o t i n t e n d t o " m a s t e r " a n y o n e e x c e p t itself. All i t can c o n s c i e n t i o u s l y o f f e r t o o t h e r s willing t h e m s e l v e s along t h e s a m e W a y i s c o m p a n i o n s h i p . T h u s , a d e s i g n a t i o n o f " C o m p a n i o n " w o u l d b e t h e o n l y a c c e p t a b l e title among modern initiates of the W e s t e r n I n n e r Way. D e s p i t e all this, it is still valid to say: " W h e n t h e pupil is r e a d y t h e M a s t e r will appear." W h e n s o m e o n e has r e a c h e d t h e s t a t e o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s n e e d e d t o r e c e i v e s o m e specific i n f o r m a t i o n this will a u t o m a t i c a l l y a t t r a c t t h e m e a n s o f supplying s u c h a n i n n e r n e e d . T h e " M a s t e r " , o r supplier o f t h a t i n f o r m a t i o n could b e a n y t h i n g from t h e printed page to a passing s t r a n g e r . We m u s t be p r e p a r e d to accept w h a t c o m e s in w h i c h e v e r w a y it is able to c o n t a c t us. T h e first r e q u i r e m e n t i s t o c r e a t e a n i n n e r s t a t e o f n e e d w i t h o u t d e m a n d i n g a b s u r d replies i n t h e s h a p e o f e x a l t e d p e r s o n a g e s o f f e r i n g t h e i r e x c l u s i v e s e r v i c e s for t h e s a k e o f o u r p e r s o n a l edification. R e p l i e s will indeed r e a c h u s — s o m e t i m e s u n d e r v e r y s t r a n g e c i r c u m s t a n c e s — b u t r e c o g n i t i o n and a c c e p t a n c e of t h e m is s t r i c t l y a p e r s o n a l decision. Therefore, the sooner seekers of the Western Inner Tradition s e t aside ideas o f m y s t e r i o u s " M a s t e r s " arriving o u t o f t h e blue t o t e a c h t h e m e v e r y trick o f t h e magical trade, t h e b e t t e r p r o g r e s s w e shall m a k e t o g e t h e r . I n s o f a r a s t h e r e a r e a c t u a l " T e a c h e r s " o f our Tradition, these are beings existing on inner, though
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c o n n e c t e d , d i m e n s i o n s . I t i s t r u e w e h a v e individual i n c a r n a t e souls w i t h u s o n e a r t h w h o m e d i a t e i n f l u e n c e s from t h o s e and h i g h e r s o u r c e s . S o m e are able t o d o this c o n s t a n t l y , and o t h e r s only v e r y o c c a s i o n a l l y . T h e e s s e n t i a l t h i n g t o learn e a r l y i n W e s t e r n i n n e r w o r k i n g s i s t h a t w e should n e v e r e x p e c t w o n d e r f u l " m e s s a g e s " i n t e r m s o f w o r d s , and t o s e e k i n g i n s t e a d e x p e r i e n c e s o f i n n e r life itself, t r a n s l a t a b l e t h r o u g h t h e s y m b o l o g y o f o u r spiritual s y s t e m s . T h i s m a y be an u n p a l a t a b l e l e s s o n , but until it is properly u n d e r s t o o d t h e r e will be little p r o g r e s s m a d e a l o n g Western Pathways. It is s o m e t i m e s a s u r p r i s i n g thing at t h e e n d of an i n c a r n a t i o n w h e r e i n n o m e e t i n g w i t h magical M a s t e r s s e e m e d evident, t o realize s u d d e n l y t h e s e w e r e really t h e r e all t h e t i m e . A f e w s e c o n d s o f c o n t a c t h e r e , a t o u c h s o m e w h e r e else, a n u n f o r g e t t a b l e i m p a c t o c c a s i o n a l l y , and a s t e a d y s u b c o n s c i o u s b a c k g r o u n d all t h e w h i l e f r o m s o m e w h e r e t o o deep for ready r e c o g n i t i o n . S o long a s w e a r e willing t o learn t h e i n n e r side o f o u r lives, w e shall n e v e r b e left w i t h o u t g u i d a n c e . W e s t e r n " M a s t e r s " d o n o t " t e a c h " T r a d i tion b y s p e a k i n g , w r i t i n g , o r l e c t u r i n g , o r t h r o u g h o t h e r f o r m s o f c o n v e n t i o n a l c o m m u n i c a t i o n . T h e y m e d i a t e its Living spirit for t h e i r fellow s o u l s . T h e d e e p e r t h a t fact o f i n n e r life p e n e t r a t e s t h e a w a r e n e s s o f w o u l d - b e "pupils" t h e b e t t e r for t h e m and t h e r e s t o f us. A n o t h e r i m p o r t a n t point t o g r a s p i s t h a t o u r I n n e r T r a d i t i o n in i t s e l f is not m a g i c per se, but a purely spiritual s u b s t r a t u m of o u r existence reachable to different degrees by many ways. W h a t we classify as m a g i c is mainly a s y s t e m i z e d p r o c e s s of applied c o n s c i o u s n e s s and b e h a v i o u r calculated t o t o u c h o u r T r a d i t i o n a s deeply and t r u l y as we m a y . M a n k i n d h a s u n d e r s t o o d and practised m a g i c u n d e r s o m a n y n a m e s , and w i t h such a v a r i e t y o f f o r m s t h a t it m a y be v e r y difficult to a p p r e c i a t e its i n f l u e n c e and n e c e s s i t y in o u r m o d e r n lives. To help us s e e this issue a little m o r e plainly, let u s s t u d y s o m e o f t h e principles explaining h o w we r e l a t e o u r s e l v e s and o u r I n n e r T r a d i t i o n in a magical m a n n e r t h r o u g h spiritual s y m b o l i s m .
2. Symbolic Significance
In primitive times, there was little distinction between religion and magic in establishing relationships with inner life. Those who instinctively felt the presence of invisible causative powers behind the objective world reacted according to inclination and made patterns that eventually turned into time-honored traditional tracks. T h e divergence of magic from religion depended on individual or collective attitudes towards whatever " T H A T " might be which seemed to determine human destiny. There were not many alternative attitudes which could very well be adopted. Mainly they were: 1. Assume some God—or Gods—capable of everything. It would therefore pay humans to worship and placate such a Being with everything they could think of. Most religions grew out of this attitude. 2. Assume the same Being or Beings, but believed it possible to work out some kind of mutual arrangements with It or Them. That is to say, find common grounds for a partnership between Humanity and Divinity. The basics of magic came from that approach. 3. Ignore the whole idea and get on with living in this world
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for w h a t e v e r can be got out of it w h e t h e r t h e r e are G o d s or not. T h e bulk o f h u m a n b e h a v i o r c o m e s f r o m this c a t e g o r y . F r o m a c o m p r o m i s e b e t w e e n 1 and 2, P h i l o s o p h y l a t e r e n t e r e d t h e field w i t h a n a t t i t u d e of: " W h o k n o w s w h a t i s o r isn't, but its fine to t r y finding o u t . " F r o m 3 c a m e a c o m m e r c e - h a r d e n e d c o r e of c y n i c i s m saying: " T h e b e s t t h i n g t o d o w i t h G o d s i s b u y t h e m o u t and r u n t h e w h o l e r a c k e t for a p r e t t y p r o f i t . " E v e n t u a l l y t h e r e w e r e m a n y o t h e r s u b - d i v i s i o n s , but o n t h e w h o l e , t h e m a i n d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n W e s t e r n religion a n d m a g i c i s a q u e s t i o n of h u m a n d e p e n d e n c y . B r o a d l y s p e a k i n g , religion claims t h a t m a n i s e n t i r e l y a n d u t t e r l y d e p e n d e n t o n G o d , c a n n o t save h i m s e l f b y his o w n e f f o r t s , and h a s t o rely o n D i v i n i t y f o r e v e r y t h i n g . M a g i c b e l i e v e s i n D i v i n i t y , but p o s t u l a t e s that t h e s a m e L a w s o f L i f e bind m o r t a l s and i m m o r t a l s alike. T h e r e f o r e , s o m e c o m p r o m i s e o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s s h o u l d b e possible b e t w e e n them. O f t h e s e t w o basic a p p r o a c h e s , m a g i c i s m u c h m o r e individualistic t h a n religion, and a s h u m a n i n t e l l e c t w i d e n e d , philosophy opened up independent observation. O n c e m o r e it b e c a m e t h e c o l l e c t i v i s m v e r s u s individualism q u e s t i o n . " A m I selfsufficient e n o u g h t o b e m y o w n a u t h o r i t y o r n o t ? " P e r h a p s , i n t h e m o s t p r i m i t i v e way: " A m I a H e r d e r or a H u n t e r ? " O f f i c i a l religion t e n d e d t o t h e v i e w p o i n t " L e t ' s all stick t o g e t h e r for t h e s a k e o f s a f e t y and m u t u a l a d v a n t a g e . " M a g i c , b e i n g a l w a y s unofficial, w e n t t h e o p p o s i t e w a y and insisted: "In i m p o r t a n t e n t e r p r i s e s , s m a l l c i r c l e s o f c o m p a n i o n s w h o c a n totally rely upon e a c h o t h e r a r e b e s t . B u t , i n t h e l o n g run, e v e r y o n e h a s t o depend o n his o w n e f f o r t s . " P h i l o s o p h y w a v e d t o l e r a n t h a n d s i n e v e r y d i r e c t i o n and e x h o r t e d e v e r y o n e t o s o r t t h i n g s o u t w h i c h e v e r w a y t h e y could, o f f e r i n g all kinds o f s u g g e s t i o n s and e n c o u r a g e m e n t for free selection. B e f o r e the main stream of migration to the West in search of spiritual i n d e p e n d e n c e , h u m a n s had c o n s t r u c t e d q u i t e c o m p l i c a t e d s y s t e m s o f s y m b o l i s m for relating m e t a p h y s i c a l v a l u e s w i t h m a t e r i a l life on e a r t h . S y m b o l s h a v e a l w a y s b e e n a m e d i u m for exchanging conscious energies. We would have no form of communication with each o t h e r without them. Written or spoken w o r d s a r e s y m b o l s . S o a r e signs, g e s t u r e s , n u m b e r s , o r a n y t h i n g
Hi /
AN O U T L O O K ON O U R INNER WESTERN WAY
w h a t e v e r w h i c h i s i n t e n d e d t o c a r r y and r e l a t e c o n s c i o u s n e s s b e t w e e n people. S o m e are u n i v e r s a l l y a c k n o w l e d g e d , w h i l e o t h e r s b e c o m e limited t o m o r e a n d m o r e e x c l u s i v e circles. E v e n t u a l l y w e c o m e t o s e c r e t c o d i n g s w h i c h include t h e m o s t i n t i m a t e and i m p o r t a n t s y m b o l s o f all. O n e i s t h e single g e n e t i c c o d e w h i c h d i s t i n g u i s h e s e a c h individual being in e x i s t e n c e , a n d t h e o t h e r is t h a t w h i c h identifies U l t i m a t e E n t i t y Itself. T h o s e w e r e s y m b o l ised in b o t h r e l i g i o u s a n d m a g i c a l circles by individual " s e c r e t n a m e s " and t h e " G r e a t U n k n o w a b l e N a m e o f G o d . " F r o m the esoteric perspective, when s o m e o n e came to know t h e i r o w n i d e n t i t y - n a m e i t w o u l d unify t h e m w i t h t h e U l t i m a t e N a m e and a n o t h e r individual life w o u l d h a v e r e a c h e d P e r f e c t i o n . T h a t m e a n s t h a t i f a n y o n e could a c t u a l l y b e c o m e e x a c t l y w h a t t h e y w e r e m e a n t t o b e b y t h e i r o w n u n i q u e g e n e t i c coding, t h e y would a u t o m a t i c a l l y h a v e n o m o r e n e e d t o e x i s t o u t s i d e o f D i v i n e P e r f e c t i o n . H e n c e , t h e c o n c e r n o f m a n y souls t o s e e k t h a t I d e n t i t y b y e v e r y possible m e a n s . T h e "Wild H u n t " w a s c e r t a i n l y o n i n t h e W e s t , and t h e initial o b j e c t i v e w a s a s u i t a b l e s y m b o l o g y t o c a r r y o u r t y p e o f T r a d i t i o n t o w a r d its individual d e s t i n y . T h e " W i l d H u n t " idea i s o n e o f o u r earliest e s o t e r i c s y m b o l s . A c c o r d i n g to t h e legend, all d e p a r t e d souls in t h e W e s t duly w a i t e d at a p p o i n t e d s t a t i o n s to be c o l l e c t e d o n c e a y e a r at S a m h a i n , "All Souls Night". T h i s was overseen by G w y n ap Nudd (Light, S o n of D a r k n e s s ) i n his c h a r i o t , a c c o m p a n i e d b y i m m o r t a l c o m p a n i o n s o n h o r s e b a c k and a w h o l e pack o f h u g e w h i t e h o u n d s w i t h g l o w i n g red e y e s . T h e dogs m a d e s u r e n o o n e w a s lost o r f o r g o t t e n . A c h i e f pick-up place i n W e s t B r i t a i n w a s t h e top o f G a s t o n b u r y T o r . " T o r " n o t o n l y s t a n d s for a h i g h hill, but also m e a n s D o o r , o r G a t e w a y . G w y n a p p a r e n t l y t o o k e v e r y soul w i t h h i m for s o r t i n g o u t a t t h e end o f t h e i r celestial j o u r n e y . O p i n i o n s varied a s t o w h a t h a p p e n e d t h e n , but t h e r e w a s g e n e r a l a g r e e m e n t t h e y all g o t whatever they rightly deserved. T o s e e this typically W e s t e r n s y m b o l i n its b e s t light, t r a n s p o s e its e l e m e n t s . T a k e individual souls a s t h e h u n t e r s , and G w y n a p Nudd a s t h e " D i v i n e S p a r k " o r I n n e r I d e n t i t y w e should all s e e k i n o u r s e l v e s . W e h u n t h i m ( I T ) w i t h o u r w h i t e h o u n d s ( t r u e t h o u g h t s ) w i t h red e y e s ( w h i c h s e e t h r o u g h deceptive d a r k n e s s ) , and w e a r e a c c o m p a n i e d b y m o u n t e d friends (fellow seekers by the same system). G w y n is to be met at the apex of a H o l y Hill w h e r e E a r t h and S k y m e e t , a t t h e critical poising point
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w h e r e t h e v e r y top o f o u r h u m a n n a t u r e m e e t s t h e l o w e s t levels o f o u r h i g h e r being. M o r e o v e r , G w y n o n l y c o m e s o n c e a y e a r , m e a n i n g w e h a v e a t least o n e g o o d c h a n c e i n e v e r y i n c a r n a t i o n t o m a k e this vital i n n e r c o n t a c t , and i f w e m i s s t h a t m a g i c m o m e n t w e shall h a v e t o w a i t for t h e n e x t o p p o r t u n i t y . T h e r e i s still p l e n t y to learn f r o m t h e l e g e n d if a n y o n e is i n t e r e s t e d e n o u g h to do m o r e digging. B e a r i n m i n d t h a t early W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n a l i s t s o f t e n moved elements of their magical m y t h s around so that only initiated minds could follow t h e s t o r y a l o n g i n n e r levels. W e s t e r n i z i n g m a n k i n d , l o o k i n g for n e w spiritual s y m b o l i s m , found it in t h e beautiful simplicity of n a t u r a l i t e m s t h a t s u g g e s t e d qualities o f i n n e r a c t u a l i t i e s . E v e r y t r e e , plant, f l o w e r , rock, animal, or bird, b e c a m e a s y m b o l of an a r c a n e l a n g u a g e . L a t e r , t h e s e e v o l v e d i n t o t o t e m i s t i c family i d e n t i f i c a t i o n s , and l a t e r still gave rise t o t h e art o f h e r a l d r y . W h a t i s p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t e r e s t i n g a b o u t t h e early s y m b o l o g y o f t h e W e s t i s t h a t n o large and imposing idols appear to h a v e been e r e c t e d in public t e m p l e s . N o t until R o m a n t i m e s did official i m a g e s of n a t i o n a l deities appear in W e s t e r n E u r o p e . O d d cult f i g u r e s t u r n e d u p o c c a s i o n a l l y , b u t e s o t e r i c s y m b o l i s m c o n s i s t e d principally of g e o m e t r i c d e s i g n s , m a r k i n g s , g e s t u r e s , hill-calls, and o t h e r n a t u r a l t h i n g s . T o t h e s e w e r e a t t a c h e d s i g n i f i c a n c e o n l y i n t e r p r e t a b l e b y initiated intelligence. It almost seemed as if the emerging W e s t was determined to leave O r i e n t a l i n t r i c a c i e s and e l a b o r a t i o n s b e h i n d and use o n l y a e s t h e t i c a l l y p u r e and simple spiritual s y m b o l o g y . T h e r e h a s a l w a y s b e e n a dislike of o v e r - e m b e l l i s h m e n t or f l a m b o y a n c y in t h e W e s t e r n W a y . C o m p a r e e v e n t o d a y t h e simple s t y l e o f E n g l i s h churches with the elaborations of Eastern O r t h o d o x ones. Periodically, t h e r e h a v e b e e n odd flare-ups a b o u t c e r e m o n i a l complications. T h e most noticeable was the R e f o r m a t i o n when so m a n y people w e r e o b j e c t i n g t o w h a t t h e y c o n s i d e r e d " a l i e n " religious i n f l u e n c e s . T h e y asked for s i m p l e r r i t e s i n t h e i r o w n l a n g u a g e . E v e n t h o s e w e r e e v e n t u a l l y t o o m u c h for s u c c e e d i n g l y "lower" generations of churchgoers, w h o became m o r e independ e n t i n o u t l o o k and d e m a n d e d s t a r k e r s y m b o l o g y u n t i l t h e brick wall and b a r e b e n c h m e e t i n g h o u s e s b r o u g h t t h e cycle t o a r a t h e r miserable state of stagnation. This was Western Traditionalism in o n e o f its m o s t a w k w a r d m o o d s . T h e e s o t e r i c o r magical b r a n c h o f t h e T r a d i t i o n followed
20 / AN O U T L O O K ON O U R INNER WESTERN W A Y
p a t t e r n s similar t o t h e r e l i g i o u s b r a n c h . S y m b o l o g y s t a r t e d o u t simply, b u t e v e n t u a l l y developed c u r i o u s c o m p l i c a t i o n s o f its o w n along i n n e r lines. M e t a p h o r s and e u p h e m i s m s t w i s t e d a r o u n d and a r o u n d until g u e s s i n g w h a t i n i t i a t e s w e r e talking a b o u t t u r n e d i n t o a m a j o r m e n t a l g a m e . T h i s w a s , again, " t h e g r e a t h u n t . " Its s y m b o l s and l a n g u a g e b e c a m e i n c o r p o r a t e d i n t o m a g i c a l practice. T h e i m p l e m e n t s o f t h e h u n t , t h e d a g g e r o r a r r o w , s p e a r o r staff, shield, h o r n , and l e n g t h o f c o r d , b e c a m e t h e M a g i c a l I n s t r u m e n t s of the Western Tradition. W e can t r a c e t h o s e s a m e s y m b o l s y e t — a t t a c h e d t o t h e typical i m a g e o f a W e s t e r n c o w b o y . T h e old s p e a r h a s b e c o m e his g u n c a r b i n e o f h a n d . T h e s w o r d o r d a g g e r h a s s h r u n k t o a b o w i e knife, and t h e shield t u r n e d to " c h a p s " , a p r o t e c t i v e l e a t h e r riding apron. H o r n s c h a n g e d t o t h e p o w d e r flasks for m u z z l e - l o a d e r s , and can also b e c o n s i d e r e d a s w a t e r - b o t t l e s . T h e cord, o f c o u r s e , i s h a n g i n g on t h e saddle as a l a s s o o . A n o t h e r type of r o p e w a s w o v e n p u r e l y f r o m h o r s e h a i r and had a n e x t r e m e l y useful p u r p o s e . It w a s laid in a circle r o u n d m e n s l e e p i n g on t h e o p e n g r o u n d w h e r e s n a k e s w e r e likely t o b e m o v i n g a t n i g h t . N o s n a k e would crawl across a horsehair rope because the stiff hairs stuck b e t w e e n t h e i r s c a l e s and h u r t t h e m . T h u s w e g e t a s y m b o l i c p i c t u r e of a m a n in his m a g i c circle, safe a g a i n s t t h e i n t r u s i o n s of evil. Often> t h e m e n w e r e g u a r d s o f a h o r n e d h e r d o n t h e i r w a y t o sacrifice. T h e a l m o s t m a g i c a l a u r a s u r r o u n d i n g c o w b o y s s t e m s v e r y m u c h f r o m o u r deeply i n h e r e n t s a c r e d s y m b o l i s m . M o s t m a g i c a l p r a c t i c e g r e w f r o m q u i t e c o m m o n p l a c e acts o f specialized skill. T a k e t h e s y m b o l i c p r o t e c t i v e circle t r a c e d a r o u n d practitioners of traditional W e s t e r n magic. It was often outlined w i t h t h e end o f a tall s t a f f w h i l e t h e o p e r a t o r s t o o d i n t h e c e n t e r . S o m e t i m e s the staff was set upright in the ground while the o p e r a t o r scraped t h e circle w i t h t h e point o f a k n i f e w h i c h w a s a t t a c h e d to t h e s t a f f by a cord. T h i s w a s , in fact, t h e p r e l i m i n a r y act o f m a k i n g a p r i m i t i v e h u n t e r ' s h u t o r s h e l t e r . O n c e t h e circle had b e e n traced, fresh cut ash s t a v e s w e r e p u s h e d i n t o t h e g r o u n d a t e v e n i n t e r v a l s a r o u n d it, t h e n b e n t i n w a r d s a n d tied t o t h e c e n t e r pole. T h i s provided a s t r o n g f r a m e t o b e c o v e r e d w i t h skins o r m a y b e m o r e solidly finished o f f w i t h w a t t l e and daub. T h e end p r o d u c t w a s a h u n t e r ' s h o m e , and w h a t e l s e i s t h e i n n e r m e a n i n g of a magical c i r c l e ?
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While the men were hunting meat, the w o m e n were mostly hunting herbs. Properties of these were discovered the hard w a y — e a t t h e m and s e e . I f people s t a r t e d dropping dead o r w e r e violently sick, t h e n t h o s e h e r b s w e r e r e s e r v e d f o r e n e m i e s . T h e w o m e n f o l k t h u s c o l l e c t e d c o n s i d e r a b l e h e r b a l skills w h i c h t h e y passed d o w n in s t r i c t c o n f i d e n c e to t h e i r d a u g h t e r s . It w a s n e c e s s a r y to k n o w h o w to feed a family w h e n f a t h e r failed to bring h o m e t h e b a c o n , but it could also c o m e in useful to k n o w w h a t w o u l d g e t rid o f t h e b r u t e i f h e c u t u p t o o r o u g h and t o o often! A b o r t i o n w a s a n o t h e r fine art t o b e m i s t r e s s of. S o w a s e x p e r i e n c e of w h a t we h o w call h a l l u c i n o g e n s , a n a l g e s i c s , and a few o t h e r h e r b a l p h a r m a c e u t i c a l s . T h e e n t i r e basis o f w h a t w a s l a t e r called " w i t c h c r a f t " w a s built o h k n o w l e d g e and application o f v e g e t a b l e p o i s o n s . N o w o n d e r people w e r e i n s t i n c t i v e l y terrified of it! A single m a l i c i o u s w i t c h in a c o m m u n i t y could poison e v e r y o n e w i t h a bit of t h i s and t h a t in t h e c o m m u n a l c o o k i n g pot. S h e m i g h t also kill o f f t h e i r c a t t l e o r s p r e a d b l i g h t o n t h e i r c r o p s . W i t c h e s w e r e bad m a g i c o f t h e w o r s t kind. O n t h e g o o d side, o f c o u r s e , w e r e w o m e n w h o only used t h e i r h e r b a l k n o w l e d g e t o help t h e i r families and friends. E v e r y t h i n g depended o n m o t i v a t i o n . W h e n h u n t e r s g o t badly h u r t , i t w a s t h e i r w o m e n f o l k w h o t r e a t e d t h e i r w o u n d s . O n t h e o t h e r hand, i f s o m e o n e w e r e dying w i t h difficulty and in g r e a t pain, it w a s a kindly act to g i v e him a fatal d r i n k to induce c o m a and death. So it m i g h t be to t e r m i n a t e t h e p r e g n a n c y of a terrified girl w h o had been raped. A s well a s h e r b b r e w s , t h e w o m e n k n e w t h e value o f m a k i n g s o o t h i n g s o u n d s n o t o n l y to babies, but t r o u b l e d adults in the throes of emotional sufferings R h y t h m i c hand strokings a c c o m p a n i e d b y s y m p a t h e t i c and h y p n o t i c c r o o n i n g s w o r k e d w o n d e r s w i t h w h a t w e n o w call p s y c h o s o m a t i c p r o b l e m s . A s t h e s e b e c a m e stylized t h e y w e r e h a n d e d d o w n t h r o u g h families a s traditional "spelts". T h e g e n t l e g i b b e r i s h o f t h e " w o r d s " may h a v e m e a n t n o t h i n g v e r y special, but t h e p e r s o n - t o - p e r s o n direct application m e a n t e v e r y t h i n g . E v e n t u a l l y , t h e g o o d and bad o f t h e magical w o m e n b e c a m e s y m b o l i z e d b y t h e b u s h a n d t h e b e s o m , b o t h linked w i t h pubic hair. T h e " w i t c h e s " b r o o m w a s n o t o n l y a w e a p o n wielded b y a n i l l - t e m p e r e d w o m a n , b u t its h a n d polished h a n d l e could b e u s e d for m a s t u r b a t i o n and s e x s t i m u l a t i o n p r a c t i c e s . S o i t b e c a m e t h e
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sign of a socially w i c k e d w o m a n . (Still called a " b e s o m " in s o m e country places). T h e " b u s h " on the o t h e r hand, was a bunch of h e a l i n g h e r b s and, s o m e t h o u g h t b e t t e r still, b r e w i n g h e r b s . Brewing the heady concoction of grain in which herbs were steeped was a female accomplishment appreciated by every man. Nobody knows for certain w h e n brewers began tying the herbs to a long pole and s t i c k i n g it up o u t s i d e t h e h o u s e so t h a t it could plainly b e s e e n b y e v e r y o n e t o tell t h e m : " B e e r up!" i n u n m i s t a k a b l e s y m b o l o g y . D e f i n i t e l y , all t h e local b o o z e r s t h o u g h t it a w o n d e r f u l sign of a w o m a n t r y i n g to m a k e m e n happy. I n addition t o t h e i r p h a r m a c o l o g y and o t h e r g i f t s , t h e w o m e n , o r r a t h e r a f e w specialists a m o n g t h e m , w e r e p r o p h e t e s s e s , c l a i r v o y a n t s and, a s w e s a y n o w a d a y s , s e n s i t i v e s . T h e s e w e r e t h e o n e s w h o did m o s t o f t h e direct c o n s c i o u s c o m m u n i c a t i o n w i t h o t h e r levels o f life. I n c o m m o n w i t h p y t h o n e s s e s o f e a r l i e r t i m e s , w e s t e r n w o m e n m a i n l y m a d e t h e i r inspired u t t e r a n c e s i n v e r y veiled s y m b o l o g y . S o m e t i m e s t h e y o n l y g a v e v e n t t o s h r i e k s and q u e e r c r i e s and g r o a n s . Q u i t e o f t e n , t h i s b y i t s e l f w a s s h e e r r u b b i s h . Y e t , i n a t t e m p t i n g t o s e e k s o m e intelligible m e a n i n g , t h o s e l i s t e n i n g could o c c a s i o n a l l y p u s h t h e i r o w n i n n e r p e r ceptions to points w h e r e sense came to them from o t h e r channels. H e r e and t h e r e , h o w e v e r , really t a l e n t e d w o m e n m u s t h a v e given very valuable guidance which has subtly altered the course of our h i s t o r y . T h r o u g h o u t o u r w h o l e t r a d i t i o n t h e r e h a v e been i n s t a n c e s o f w o m e n b r i n g i n g s t r a n g e m e s s a g e s and tidings f r o m o t h e r a n d i n n e r w o r l d s w h i c h i n f l u e n c e d people i n t h i s o n e . N o n e of t h i s s e e m e d due to any special t r a i n i n g or t e a c h i n g s , b u t to a p u r e l y g e n e t i c o r i n h e r e n t f a c u l t y usually r u n n i n g i n families, but only appearing in every o t h e r generation in rare instances. W e h a v e t o r e m e m b e r t h a t m a g i c i a n s h a v e m o t h e r s , and i n bygone times they learned their elementary symbology during e a r l y c h i l d h o o d f r o m t h e i r m o t h e r s and g r a n d m o t h e r s . I t w a s not u n c o m m o n for b o y s w h o s e e m e d t o o fragile o r u n f i t for w h a t w e r e considered proper male pursuits to be brought up by w o m e n f o l k . W i t h t h e m , t h e child picked u p all t h e s e m i - s e c r e t l o r e c u s t o m a r i l y p a s s e d o n t o d a u g h t e r s , b u t h e dealt w i t h this t h r o u g h his m a s c u l i n e t y p e of c o n s c i o u s n e s s . A long t i m e ago, s o m e u n k n o w n little b o y w a t c h e d his m o t h e r w i n d i n g a ball o f w o o l and n o t e d h o w i t g r e w s o n e a t l y and e v e n l y b e c a u s e each
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circuit w a s w o u n d at a c r o s s a n g l e to t h e last. E v e n t u a l l y , he or associates c a m e to realize h o w the C o s m o s theoretically comes t o g e t h e r f r o m its T i m e - S p a c e - E v e n t c o m p o n e n t s , and t h e c r o s s angled triple circle o f t h e C o s m o s s y m b o l w a s c o n c e i v e d . F o r t h a t reason, a ball of w o o l or t w i n e b e c a m e a m a j o r magical s y m b o l of t h e C e l t s . M a n y c e n t u r i e s later, a n o t h e r little boy w a t c h e d his m o t h e r ' s k e t t l e boiling, and s t e a m s y m b o l i z e d a n e n e r g y w h i c h i s still w i t h us. It is during t h e child's f o r m a t i v e y e a r s t h a t magical s y m b o l s m a k e t h e i r m a x i m u m i m p r e s s i o n , building a b a c k g r o u n d to live against for the rest of an incarnation. T h e y tend to awaken an a w a r e n e s s s t e m m i n g from l o n g - a g o lives and c o n d i t i o n s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s a w a y f r o m this world. I n a d o l e s c e n c e , t h e s a m e s y m b o l s will t a k e on a s e x u a l s i g n i f i c a n c e and e v o k e c r e a t i v e n e s s (or p e r h a p s c o n t r a r i n e s s ! ) w i t h c o n s i d e r a b l e v i g o r . L a t e r , t h e s y m b o l s will lead m o r e steadily t o w a r d t h e i n t e g r a t i o n o f a n individuality arising o u t o f i n c a r n a t i o n . L a s t l y , t h e s e s a m e s y m b o l s t a k e on a d i f f e r e n t s i g n i f i c a n c e of survival b e y o n d e m b o d i m e n t p o i n t i n g t o w a r d t h e f u t u r e i n a n o t h e r and hopefully higher condition of consciousness. Perhaps it is not so strange t h a t m a n y people w h o , in e a r l y middle life, w e r e d i s b e l i e v e r s in i m m o r t a l i t y find t h e i r v i e w s a l t e r i n g a s t h e i r i n c a r n a t i o n s c o m e t o a c l o s e . In late life, m a g i c a l s y m b o l i s m b e c o m e s a m a t t e r of deep and q u i e t c o n v i c t i o n r a t h e r t h a n s o m e t h i n g s e n s a t i o n a l o r spectacular. A n o t i c e a b l e d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n religious and magical s y m bolic f o r m u l a s i s t h a t t h e f o r m e r usually c r y s t a l i z e i n t o set liturgical p r o c e d u r e s w i t h s t a n d a r d i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s , w h i l e t h e l a t t e r a r e f a r m o r e fluid and mobile. M a g i c a l r i t u a l s w e r e n o t w r i t t e n o r s t a g e - s e t until r e c e n t l y , and t h e n t h e r e w a s little t o look a t o f m u c h solid v a l u e . T h e m a g i c o f e a r l i e r e p o c h s w a s frequently of an impromptu nature. T h e r e was a general u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f w h a t had t o b e d o n e during a n y specific p r o c e e d i n g s , b u t a lot of individual i t e m s w e r e v e r b a l i z e d or a c t e d according to the e n l i g h t e n m e n t of w h o e v e r was working them. T h e r e w e r e alternative ways of employing the same symbols in d i f f e r e n t localities, for i n s t a n c e , and v a r i o u s circles had t h e i r o w n carefully g u a r d e d " c o d e - c a l l s " for c o n n e c t i n g w i t h i n n e r a w a r e n e s s . W h i l e W e s t e r n religion w a s c o n c e r n e d w i t h s t a n d a r d i z i n g its
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s y m b o l o g y and c o - o r d i n a t i n g its m e m b e r s b y m e a n s o f hierarchical m e t h o d s , W e s t e r n m a g i c w a s b e i n g m o r e t h a n liberal i n free i n t e r p r e t a t i v e e x p r e s s i o n s o f basic s y m b o l i s m and radical r e l a t i o n ships w i t h i n n e r life. It is significant t h a t W e s t e r n magic h a s n e v e r had an e a r t h l y e s t a b l i s h e d h i e r a r c h y d o m i n a t i n g its s t r u c t u r e w i t h a u t h o r i t a r i a n rulings. T h a t w o u l d b e e n t i r e l y c o n t r a r y t o o u r I n n e r T r a d i t i o n . T h e r e is, h o w e v e r , a spiritual h i e r a r c h y " b e h i n d t h e scene's" w h i c h links t h e m a g i c a l m e m b e r s o f t h e T r a d i t i o n t o g e t h e r t h r o u g h i n n e r c h a n n e l s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s . A g a i n and again v a r i o u s a m b i t i o u s a t t e m p t s h a v e b e e n m a d e t o e s t a b l i s h hierarchical m a g i c a l p o w e r - s t r u c t u r e s . E a c h t i m e t h e y h a v e b r o k e n apart and d i s i n t e g r a t e d . T h e r e is a c e r t a i n " c r i t i c a l m a s s " w h i c h m a g i c a l c o o p e r a t i v e s o f t h e W e s t can hold t o g e t h e r h a r m o n i o u s l y and a f t e r t h a t point is passed, it s e e m s g r o u p i n g s s t a r t to fall apart. O u r T r a d i t i o n i s g e a r e d t o a n a r r a n g e m e n t o f s e p a r a t e u n i t s i n this w o r l d c o n n e c t e d and c o - r e l a t e d i n t o i n n e r u n i t y b y a n o n - m a t e r i a l m e m b e r s h i p . T h e m a x i m u m n u m b e r o f physical c o h e r e n c e s e e m s to be twelve. M o s t people t h e s e days t h i n k o f t h i r t e e n a s t h e n u m b e r o f a w i t c h - c o v e n , b u t i n fact i t h a s a l w a y s b e e n t h e basis o f W e s t e r n m a g i c a l a s s o c i a t i o n s . T h e w h o l e point i s t h a t o n l y t w e l v e people w e r e humans. T h e y g r o u p s a r o u n d t h e invisible m e m b e r f o r m i n g t h e i r i n n e r n u c l e u s , and t h a t i s h o w t h e y held t o g e t h e r i f t h e y w e r e c o m p a t i b l e . T h e c o n s t r u c t i o n figure i s a r r i v e d a t b y t h e principle t h a t a p e r f e c t s p h e r e will n e e d j u s t t w e l v e s p h e r e s of its size to c o v e r its s u r f a c e in e q u a l c o n t a c t w i t h it and e a c h o t h e r . In o t h e r w o r d s , t w e l v e is a n a t u r a l h a r m o n i c r e l a t i v e l y to a unit. N o t h i n g m o r e m y s t i c a l t h a n t h a t . T h e idea o f t h i r t e e n being u n l u c k y applies o n l y if the t h i r t e e n t h p e r s o n is h u m a n , b e c a u s e t h a t would be t a n t a m o u n t to t a k i n g t h e r i g h t f u l place of a G o d — a risky i m p e r t i n e n c e for all c o n c e r n e d . In later times among some of t h e degenerated gatherings a " G o d " w a s p e r s o n i f i e d by a m a s k e d h u m a n usually in h o r n e d g u i s e . B y t h e n , a n c e s t r a l m e m o r i e s o f S a c r e d K i n g and a n i m a l lifesacrifices w e r e g e t t i n g dim and dingy. T h e pagan p e a s a n t part o f o u r T r a d i t i o n kept a n c i e n t s y m b o l o g y g o i n g i n v e r y muddled and d o w n g r a d e d w a y s p e r h a p s , b u t i t w a s all t h e y k n e w h o w t o h a n dle, and t h e y w e r e n o t v e r y willing t o purify o r clean u p c u s t o m s
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which satisfied t h e i r s e n s e s and h i t o u t at h a t e d a u t h o r i t i e s a f e w times a y e a r . S o o n e r o r l a t e r t h e y w o u l d h a v e t o haul t h e m s e l v e s up t h e L a d d e r of Life a bit and s t a r t r e c o n s t r u c t i n g t h e i r r i t u a l s on b e t t e r lines o f b e h a v i o r . S o l o n g a s t h e r e i s a r e s i d u e o f fundamental symbolism to w o r k with, reconstitution of original m e a n i n g s in m o d e r n t e r m s will a l w a y s be possible. A l t h o u g h t h e r e h a s a l w a y s b e e n a W e s t e r n spiritual s y m b o l ogy, i t did n o t s t a r t c o n d e n s i n g i n t o s u m m a t i v e M a s t e r - s y m b o l s until we had b e e n w o r k i n g w i t h it for q u i t e a f e w c e n t u r i e s . O u r oldest and m o s t Sacred S i g n o f this n a t u r e i s t h e C o s m i c C r o s s . C o m m o n t o all t r a d i t i o n s o n e w a y o r a n o t h e r , i t h a s differing i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s , and W e s t e r n m a g i c s e t t l e d f o r t h e n o w w e l l k n o w n a r r a n g e m e n t q u i t e a w h i l e back. I n w a r d l y , it is o u r Compass of Consciousness steering our unseen course through Cosmos. Outwardly it is the Compass of Direction without which w e could n o t t r a v e l a r o u n d t e r r i t o r y o r n a v i g a t e t h e o c e a n s . C h r i s t i a n i t y l a t e r added t h e sign o f M a n t o it, b u t officially dispensed w i t h t h e c i r c l e , possibly b e c a u s e n o n - C h r i s t i a n g a t h e r ings h a d a l w a y s a s s u m e d t h a t n a t u r a l f o r m a t i o n . T h e e s o t e r i c W e s t r e s e n t e d t h a t h i g h - h a n d e d i n t e r f e r e n c e w i t h basic beliefs v e r y m u c h indeed, and " C e l t i c " C r o s s e s a r e still w i t h us. T o t h i s day, t h e special " c o n s e c r a t i o n c r o s s e s " o n C h r i s t i a n a l t a r s and c h u r c h e s are t h e old C o s m i c type o f q u a r t e r e d c i r c l e s . Eventually, our Tradition produced the great S y m b o l s c o n j o i n i n g c o n s c i o u s n e s s w i t h t h e v a r i o u s spiritual s t r e a m s ; T h e G r a i l , T h e T r e e o f Life, T h e R o s e C r o s s , T h e S q u a r e and C o m p a s s and o t h e r s . E a c h is an aegis providing a m a g i c a l c o n n e c t i o n w i t h appropriate parts of the W e s t e r n Inner Way. For we have not only e x t e n d e d a n d diversified o u r s e l v e s o n e a r t h , b u t i n w a r d l y a s well. O u r v a r y i n g s o u l - t y p e s n e e d s u i t a b l e spiritual s t r u c t u r e s and a c c o m m o d a t i o n a c c o r d i n g t o t h e i r s t a t e s and c o n d i t i o n s o f d e v e l o p m e n t . All a r e c a t e r e d for u n d e r t h e h e a d i n g o f o n e W e s t e r n s y m b o l o r a n o t h e r , and i f t o t a l l y n e w n e e d s s h o u l d arise i n t h e f u t u r e , t h e n w e m u s t e v o l v e m o r e m a s t e r - s i g n s Covering such expansions of our tradition. I n t h e e a r l i e r days o f t h e W e s t / p r a c t i c a l l y e v e r y t h i n g b e c a m e a symbol that m e a n t something in mystic language. T h e inner-life could b e r e a c h e d t o s o m e d e g r e e t h r o u g h all n a t u r a l t h i n g s and m o s t a r t i f a c t u a l o n e s . I n n u m e r a b l e d i c t i o n a r i e s h a v e b e e n Com-
26 / AN O U T L O O K ON O U R INNER WESTERN WAY
piled o n v a r i o u s a s p e c t s o f W e s t e r n s y m b o l o g y , including birds, b e a s t s , t r e e s , p l a n t s , d e s i g n s , t o o l s , and m u c h m o r e . W e w e r e put i n c o n t a c t w i t h i n n e r c o n s c i o u s n e s s w h e r e v e r w e w e n t and w i t h a l m o s t a n y t h i n g w e used. T h e r e w a s a w h o l e w e a l t h o f s i g n i f i c a n c e i n o r d i n a r y k i t c h e n utensils. T h e c a u l d r o n , t h e knife, t h e ladle, t h e w h e t s t o n e , pieces o f s t r i n g — t h e y all had t h e i r s e c r e t s t o r i e s w h i c h t h e children l e a r n e d little b y little a s t h e y g r e w up. I t w a s a v e r y e n r i c h i n g e x p e r i e n c e sadly a b s e n t a m o n g r e c e n t g e n e r a t i o n s . I m a g i n e a m o d e r n m o t h e r finding a single m y s t i c m e a n i n g behind h e r fridge, f o o d - m i x e r , e l e c t r i c fry pan, and s h i n y s a u c e p a n s . H e r kids a r e d u m p e d in front of a television. Do t h e y g e t a s m u c h o u t o f i t a s t h e i r y o u n g a n c e s t o r s did f r o m g r e a t g r e a t - g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d m o t h e r ' s tales w h i l e t h e y w a t c h e d t h e flickering f l a m e s t h r o w s h a d o w s h o w s all o v e r t h e wall. N o w a d a y s , w e W e s t e r n e r s a r e apt t o i g n o r e i n n e r signals f r o m o u r e n v i r o n m e n t and k e e p to t h e r e l a t i v e l y f e w l o c k e d up in L o d g e s o r T e m p l e s , w h e t h e r real o r f i g u r a t i v e . N o w and t h e n w e let s o m e o f o u r s y m b o l s o u t , play w i t h t h e m a while, t h e n put t h e m b a c k until n e x t t i m e . O n e day, m o r e t h a n a f e w people a r e g o i n g t o w o n d e r w h a t t h e y s e e m t o b e missing i n e v e r y d a y life and s t a r t l o o k i n g for s o m e t h i n g t o fill t h a t s e n s e o f v a c a n c y . T h e y n e e d n o t l o o k v e r y far. Inside t h e m s e l v e s t h e y h a v e a w h o l e T r a d i t i o n t r y i n g t o c o m e o u t and live t h r o u g h e v e r y t h i n g i n t h e i r e x i s t e n c e . It o n l y t a k e s a deep e n o u g h call to s u m m o n its s y m b o l s into close conscious contact. M a y b e s o m e m i n d s will direct critical a t t e n t i o n t o t h e magical o r m a s o n i c L o d g e s and T e m p l e s w h i c h e m p l o y m u c h o f o u r a r c a n e W e s t e r n s y m b o l i s m . E x t e r n a l l y t h e y a p p e a r a s a lot o f little m e n and w o m e n t r y i n g t o m a g n i f y t h e m s e l v e s w i t h m a k e - b e l i e v e , j u s t a s t h e y did w h e n children. E x c e p t , o f c o u r s e , t h a t t h e y n o w w e a r m u c h m o r e e x p e n s i v e d e c o r a t i o n s , give t h e m s e l v e s m o r e e x o t i c titles, a n d g o t h r o u g h m o r e s o l e m n a n t i c s laid d o w n i n t h e i r b o o k s a s c o r r e c t ritual p r o c e d u r e s . H o w far a r e t h e y fooling t h e m s e l v e s if they do not k n o w h o w to use their symbolism properly? A r e t h e y actually u s i n g i t for r e a c h i n g b a c k i n t o t h e i r o w n i n n e r d e p t h s and c o n t a c t i n g t h e i r real i d e n t i t i e s ? O r a r e t h e y o n l y h a v i n g fun w i t h t h e i r w i s h - w a n t i n g s and f a n t a s i e s f o r t h e s a k e o f escapist e n j o y m e n t ? N o o n e could a n s w e r t h a t e x c e p t t h e m s e l v e s — i f t h e y realized t h e i n n e r r e a l i t i e s involved.
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To succeed with magical symbolism it has to be pushed quite a long w a y past t h e l o w e r levels o f self-life and b e y o n d t h e personality. It may then contact inner realities connected to a sense of identification with Life as an immortal Spirit. T h a t is no easy e x e r c i s e , b u t a magical m a n e u v e r d e m a n d i n g a lot m o r e effort, d e t e r m i n a t i o n , and sacrifice t h a n m o s t a v e r a g e people m i g h t be p r e p a r e d to o f f e r . S a c r i f i c e is a f r i g h t e n i n g w o r d in m o d e r n e a r s , y e t i t i s t h e r o c k b o t t o m s y m b o l o f o u r tradition. T h a t i s w h a t lies b e h i n d and u n d e r n e a t h all o u r m a g i c , religion, beliefs, and b e h a v i o r s a s W e s t e r n people. P e r h a p s w e s h o u l d g o back t o o u r b e g i n n i n g s again and learn s o m e t h i n g a b o u t h o w o u r sacrificial S a c r e d K i n g s s t a r t e d u s o n t h e p a t h w e s h o u l d b e following.
3. The Sacred Self-Sacrifice
R i g h t a t t h e v e r y f o u n d a t i o n o f o u r W e s t e r n I n n e r T r a d i t i o n rises the majestic figure of the Slain Sacred King. He is the archetype of " o n e w h o dies t h a t m a n y m a y l i v e , " t h e a c m e o f individualization i n t o i m m o r t a l i t y . M o s t people h a v e v a r i o u s ideas a b o u t S a c r e d K i n g s being slain t o appease D i v i n e W r a t h , p r o m o t e f e r t i l i t y , and s u c h , b u t t h e r e m o t e s t o r i g i n s o f t h i s p r a c t i c e a r e n o t sufficiently realized. T o u n d e r s t a n d , w e h a v e t o put o u r s e l v e s i n t h e place o f o u r m o s t p r i m i t i v e a n c e s t o r s and s e e life t h r o u g h t h e i r e y e s . T r y i n g to survive in a hostile world with no b e t t e r weapons t h a n s h a r p s t o n e s and s t i c k s , w a s a v e r y d e s p e r a t e affair. L i t t l e t r i b e s o f a f e w families s t r u g g l i n g t o e x i s t o n n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s k n e w t h i s o n l y t o o well. I n w a r m c l i m a t e s , lush v e g e t a t i o n , f r u i t s , small r e p t i l e s , o f f - s h o r e fish and m o l l u s c s w o u l d m o s t l y provide a living. V e n t u r i n g i n t o colder t e r r i t o r y , w h e r e w i n t e r c u t o f f s o m a n y supplies, w a s a n o t h e r m a t t e r . T h e o n l y a n s w e r t o s t a r v a t i o n t h e n w a s m e a t , w h i c h h a d t o b e c a u g h t o n t h e h o o f and e a t e n r a w until t h e a r t o f fire-handling w a s l e a r n e d . I n t h o s e days, h e r d a n i m a l s w i t h t h e m o s t m e a t t o o f f e r w e r e q u i t e wild, T h e y s t a m p e d e d easily a n d e i t h e r t r a m p l e d a t t a c k e r s t o d e a t h O r escaped f r o m t h e m . M a n could n o t o u t r u n o r o u t f i g h t
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them, s o h e had t o o u t w i t t h e m . E a r l y h u n t e r s p r o b a b l y n o t e d h o w b e a s t s o f p r e y w o u l d stalk h e r d c r e a t u r e s c a r e f u l l y until able to c r e e p c l o s e , s e l e c t a v i c t i m , m a k e o n e h u g e s p r i n g for its n e c k . B y t h a t t i m e t h e r e s t o f t h e h e r d had g o n e , b u t t h e c a r c a s s provided m e a t t o feed t h e p r e d a t o r and family for m a y b e s e v e r a l days. T h i s s e e m e d practical e n o u g h for a c r e a t u r e w i t h p o w e r f u l m u s c l e s , s h a r p f a n g s , a n d long c l a w s , b u t h o w could h u m a n s , with t h e i r i n f e r i o r a r m a m e n t , h o p e t o c o m p e t e ? Eventually, experience taught them. T h e most powerful, agile, and skilled h u n t e r a m o n g t h e m i m p e r s o n a t e d a h e r d a n i m a l in o r d e r to c r e e p c l o s e e n o u g h to o n e for a kill. T h i s he did by w e a r i n g t h e skin a n d h o r n s t a k e n f r o m s o m e p r e v i o u s kill. I n t h a t way h e l o o k e d a n d s m e l t v a g u e l y familiar t o his p r e y . I n o r d e r t o lull t h e i r s u s p i c i o n s e v e n m o r e , t h e h u n t e r m o v e d a s m u c h like t h e m a s p o s s i b l e , a n d i m i t a t e d t h e i r n o i s e s a s b e s t h e could. H i s w e a p o n s w e r e o n l y a s h a r p e n e d s t a b b i n g stick or a j a g g e d s t o n e . O t h e r w i s e , h e h a d t o depend o n his o w n speed and s t r e n g t h . W h e n t h e fatal m o m e n t c a m e , t h e h u n t e r had t o leap suddenly o n t h e back o f a s t a r t l e d a n i m a l a n d h a n g t h e r e w i t h f e e t and o n e h a n d w h i l e h e s t a b b e d frantically i n t o flesh w i t h t h e o t h e r , h o p i n g t o hit a vital spot. H o w o f t e n t h e m a n s l e w t h e b e a s t or lost his life in t h e a t t e m p t is a n y o n e ' s g u e s s . T h e p o i n t is t h a t s o m e h u n t e r s c e r t a i n l y s u c c e e d e d , and t h e i r friends and families t h e n h a d m e a t t o eat, skin t o w e a r , arid b o n e s t o m a k e t o o l s w i t h . C h a n c e s are that casualty rates among such hunters were very high indeed. E v e n i f n o t killed, t h e y m u s t h a v e f r e q u e n t l y b e e n m a i m e d for t h e r e s t o f t h e i r lives. O n l y direst n e c e s s i t y d r o v e t h e m t o t a k e t h e risk. M e a n w h i l e , t h e m y t h o s had b e g u n . S a c r e d k i n g s h i p w a s i n s t i t u t e d a m o n g m a n k i n d as a salvdtiori-pattern, g r o w i n g up q u i t e n a t u r a l l y f r o m t h e H u n t e r - h e r o s . T h e s t o r y evolved s o m e t h i n g like this: F i r s t t h e r e had to be a people in d e s p e r a t e n e e d o f s o m e t h i n g , W i t h o u t w h i c h t h e y w o u l d c e r t a i n l y perish. T h e y p r a y e d and prayed, saying " W h o will s a v e u s ? " F r o m a m o n g t h e m c a m e f o r t h a y o u n g m a n full o f s t r e n g t h a n d ability w h o a s s u r e d t h e m , " I a m h e y o u s e e k . I will g e t w h a t y o u n e e d t o save y o u f r o m d e a t h e v e n t h o u g h it c o s t s my o w n life. All I ask is t h a t y o u t h i n k o f m e a n d r e m e m b e r w h a t I h a v e d o n e s o t h a t I shall live o n a m o n g y o u i n spirit." T h e people b l e s s e d h i m t h a n k f u l l y ,
30 / AN O U T L O O K ON O U R INNER WESTERN WAY
because it seemed to t h e m s o m e supernatural power had entered h i m . S o h e s e t o u t a l o n e o n his h a z a r d o u s q u e s t and s u c c e e d e d i n g a i n i n g w h a t his people n e e d e d , i n this c a s e food. T h e e f f o r t c o s t h i m his life, b u t t r u e t o t h e i r p r o m i s e , t h e people p r a i s e d his n a m e and r e m e m b e r e d w h a t h e had d o n e for t h e m . E v e n w h i l e t h e y a t e t h e flesh and d r a n k t h e blood o f his d o n a t i o n , i t s e e m e d t o t h e m t h a t s o m e h o w t h e y w e r e p a r t a k i n g o f t h e i r dead s a v i o r also. T h e y t h o u g h t o f h i m lovingly a n d a d m i r i n g l y a s t h e y told t h e i r children: " H e died s o t h a t w e a n d y o u m i g h t live. S o m e o f y o u m u s t d o t h e same when your turn comes." L a t e r o n t h e r e w e r e m o r e w a y s y o u n g h e r o e s m i g h t die t o s a v e t h e i r people t h a n providing t h e m w i t h food. T h e y m i g h t fight o f f s o m e f i e r c e m a r a u d e r o r h o s t i l e h u m a n s w h i l e t h e i r folk escaped. H o w e v e r t h e y m e t t h e i r e n d s , i t w a s a l w a y s i n t h e s e r v i c e o f t h e i r folk family s o t h a t o t h e r s m i g h t c a r r y o n t h e line o f life t h e y s h a r e d a m o n g t h e m . I n r e t u r n , t h e y w e r e duly h o n o r e d and a d m i r e d a n d b e c a m e part o f t h e legend w h i c h t h e i r people w e r e living t o g e t h e r . T h e debt o w e d t h e m w a s n e v e r f o r g o t t e n , but p a s s e d deeply d o w n t h e g e n e r a t i o n s until it b e c a m e a s e n s e of D i v i n i t y itself. T h e i r i m a g e s g r e w w i t h t h e telling i n t o S a v i o r f i g u r e s of a p e r i l o u s p a s t w h o s e spirits w o u l d be w i t h t h e i r people a l w a y s , a r i s i n g again and again t o defend t h e m a g a i n s t d a n g e r s . W e h a v e t o r e m e m b e r t h a t p r i m i t i v e people w e r e m a t r i a r chally m i n d e d . F o r t h e m , t h e M o t h e r A r c h e t y p e w a s a u n i v e r s a l p r o d u c e r and p r o v i d e r , but g r e a t a s S h e w a s , h e r gifts h a d t o b e t a k e n t h e h a r d w a y i n m o s t c a s e s . M o t h e r s could b e c r u e l o r kind, and S h e w a s c e r t a i n l y b o t h . B e i n g f e m a l e , m o t h e r s l o v e d s t r o n g sons, and the strong sons of men must therefore be favorites of t h e G r e a t M o t h e r . W h e n t h e y died, S h e w o u l d r e p l a c e t h e m i n H e r w o m b a n d b r i n g t h e m back t o life again. S h e could s e n d t h e m b a c k t o w o m e n ' s w o m b s a m o n g t h e i r people o n c e m o r e , and t h e y might rejoin those w h o loved t h e m on earth and would welcome t h e i r r e t u r n . R e s u r r e c t i o n w a s a s simple a s t h a t . S o , for t h e f o l k - h e r o o f e a r l y t i m e s , d e a t h w a s a w a y back t o life again. H e w a s a s s u r e d o f a r e t u r n t i c k e t i n a d v a n c e ; n o t o n l y t h a t , but a privileged p o s i t i o n a m o n g his people i n t o t h e bargain. T h e r e f o r e , h e w a s a c t i n g i n his o w n b e s t i n t e r e s t s w h e n h e g a v e his life for t h e s a k e of his f e l l o w s . D y i n g a savior, he could be r e b o r n a king. All this b e c a u s e he w a s willing to individuate
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h i m s e l f in an o u t s t a n d i n g w a y . P h y s i c a l d e a t h s e e m e d a small price t o pay f o r s u c h g l o r y . O v e r the centuries, the mystique of the Sacred King grew indissolubly i n t o b o t h t h e f o u n d a t i o n and t h e m e o f o u r T r a d i t i o n . It alone explains w h y Christianity became popular in the West. " T h e M a n w h o died a n d b e c a m e G o d and w o u l d r e t u r n again a s K i n g " w a s n o n e w t h e m e f o r folk i n t h e first c e n t u r y A . D . I t w a s their O l d R e l i g i o n back again, despite n e w - f a n g l e d and s o p h i s t i cated t h e o l o g i e s t h a t t e m p l e p r i e s t s h a d b e e n p r o c l a i m i n g and p r o m o t i n g f o r t h e s a k e o f profit and p o w e r . N o w o n d e r C h r i s t i a n i t y c a u g h t o n s o fast a m o n g c o m m o n people w h o r e m e m b e r e d g e n e t i c a l l y t h e folk-faith o f olden t i m e s . F o r t h e m , J e s u s w a s an a n c i e n t s y m b o l in a m o d e r n s e t t i n g . It is uncertain w h e n the deaths of Sacred Kings ceased to be dire n e c e s s i t i e s , b e c o m i n g purely r e l i g i o u s r i t u a l . A s people g r e w m o r e e x p e r t a t h u n t i n g and b e g a n t h e p r a c t i c e o f h e r d - k e e p i n g , t h e S a c r e d K i n g ' s o r i g i n a l f u n c t i o n really b e c a m e s u p e r f l u o u s . S o s t r o n g had t h e t r a d i t i o n b e c o m e , h o w e v e r , t h a t i t c o n t i n u e d t h r o u g h tribal c o n s c i o u s n e s s i n v a r i o u s f o r m s r i g h t d o w n t h e c e n t u r i e s until t o d a y . T h e ideal o f s e l f - s a c r i f i c e a n d c o u r a g e o u s c o n d u c t is still held up as a b e h a v i o r c o d e to be a d m i r e d and r e s p e c t e d . T h o u g h y o u n g m e n a r e n o l o n g e r e x p e c t e d t o lay t h e i r bodies o n a l t a r s , t h e y a r e y e t liable t o die i n d e f e n s e o f w h a t e v e r S t a t e o r e c o n o m y t h e y o w e a l l e g i a n c e t o b y b i r t h o r adoption. M o s t p r o b a b l y t h e ritualized sacrifice o f S a c r e d K i n g s developed w i t h t h e r i s e o f w h a t e v e n t u a l l y b e c a m e t h e priestly class. T h i s w o u l d n a t u r a l l y b e c o n f i n e d t o t h o s e h a v i n g k e e n e r o r c l e a r e r i n s i g h t t h a n a v e r a g e , plus a n ability t o i n t e r p r e t w h a t t h e y felt and s a w for t h e b e n e f i t o f t h e i r kinfolk. T o s o m e e x t e n t a t least, t h e y m u s t h a v e f o r m e d a s s o c i a t i o n s a m o n g t h e m s e l v e s a s people d o t o d a y w h o s h a r e c o m m o n i n t e l l e c t u a l o r spiritual levels. H a v i n g a c h i e v e d a n " a p a r t f r o m t h e m a s s " ability o f i n n e r vision, they began to recognize many of the mistakes mankind was m a k i n g , n o t least o f w h i c h w a s i n b r e e d i n g . R e s u l t s o f i n b r e e d i n g among small communities w e r e becoming obvious, but the q u e s t i o n w a s h o w t o a l t e r h u m a n h a b i t s and s o m e h o w i n t r o d u c e b e t t e r blood i n t o available s t o c k . T h e only a n s w e r lay i n o b t a i n i n g i m p o r t e d s e e d , and i m p r e g n a t i n g a l i m i t e d n u m b e r o f f e m a l e s b e l o n g i n g t o t h e c o m m u n i t y . I t w a s i m p o r t a n t t o limit s u c h
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o f f s p r i n g , o t h e r w i s e all w o u l d b e back t o t h e b e g i n n i n g again. T h u s a n o t h e r t y p e o f S a c r e d K i n g c a m e t o life. T h e t e r m s o f his office w e r e , briefly, t h a t h e s h o u l d l e a v e his village, g o far o f f (as m u c h a s fifty m i l e s m a y b e ) t o t h e people w h o h a d c h o s e n h i m , live w i t h t h e m for a y e a r fertilizing t h e i r s e l e c t e d f e m a l e s , t h e n a c c e p t a c e r e m o n i a l d e a t h a t t h e e n d o f t h e t e r m s o t h a t his b l o o d line w o u l d b e limited. O f c o u r s e t h e r e w a s t h e c u s t o m a r y p r o m o t i o n to G o d h o o d a f t e r w a r d s , and possibly a r e t u r n t i c k e t via a r e i n c a r n a t i o n . N a t u r a l l y , he h a d to be in p r i m e c o n d i t i o n to s t a r t w i t h , a n d h a v e o u t s t a n d i n g q u a l i t i e s s e t t i n g h i m well a b o v e t h e a v e r a g e for his day and l o c a l i t y . H e k n e w q u i t e w e l l w h a t w a s e x p e c t e d o f h i m a n d w a s o n l y t o o willing t o pay t h e price. H i s s e l e c t i o n w a s a v e r y g r e a t h o n o r for his family. B l o o d r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h a S a c r e d K i n g w a s s o m e t h i n g t o hold i n t h e h i g h e s t e s t e e m . D u r i n g his s a c r e d s e r v i c e h e m i g h t e x p e c t e v e r y kind o f privilege a n d p l e a s u r e p r o c u r a b l e , a n d at l e a s t he w a s a s s u r e d a relatively m e r c i f u l and quick d e a t h a t t h e end. B y t h a t t i m e his e a r l i e s t b e g o t t e n o f f s p r i n g w o u l d h a v e a r r i v e d a s e v i d e n c e o f his efficiency. Eventually, t h e y would be mated with t h o s e begotten b y t h e n e x t S a c r e d K i n g a p p o i n t e d , and s o t h e s t o c k w a s s u p p o s e d to improve accordingly. A s m i g h t b e anticipated, all kinds o f c u s t o m s a n d survivals b e c a m e i n c o r p o r a t e d i n t o t h i s g r o w i n g p r a c t i c e . I n t h e past, b o t h m i m e and m u s i c h a d b e e n t a u g h t t h e h u n t e r - k i n g s a s i m i t a t i o n s o f a n i m a l m o v e m e n t s and n o i s e s . T h o s e g r e w i n t o s a c r e d d a n c e s and r e l i g i o u s c h a n t i n g . I t i s possible t h a t t h e deep b o w s m a d e b y priests before an altar even today originated in t h e head-down grazing motions made by ruminants content in each other's company. Perhaps t h e processionals yet with us derived from the m e a s u r e d plodding o f b e a s t s m o v i n g p a t i e n t l y a l o n g t o w a r d s fresh pasturage. T i m e m a y alter the externals of a Tradition, but its f u n d a m e n t a l s a r e a l w a y s w i t h us. E v e n d u r i n g t h e r e i g n o f t h e F e r t i l i t y - K i n g , t h e old h u n t e r s had g r o w n t o G o d - l i k e p r o p o r t i o n s , b e c o m i n g h u g e , h o r n e d , s h a d o w y figures i n t h e b a c k g r o u n d o f belief. M a n y people nowadays presume that the horned Gods w e r e of an animal nature. T h i s is not quite the case. T h e y were, in f a c t / h u m a n s w h o had attained " G o d h o o d " while wearing that guise, thus symbolizing h u m a n i t y a c h i e v i n g divinity t h r o u g h sacrifice. Q u i t e apart
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from a n y phallic o r o t h e r s i g n i f i c a n c e , t h e h o r n e d h e a d d r e s s h a s always signified t h e h i g h e s t o f h u m a n h o n o r s . H e b r e w s a t t r i buted a gift o f h o r n s t o M o s e s . T h e i r p r i e s t l y m i t r e s s u g g e s t e d h o r n s like t h o s e o f t h e l a t e r C h r i s t i a n b i s h o p s , w h i c h f o r m e d t h e o u t l i n e o f t w o h o r n s m e e t i n g o n top a s a s i g n o f t h e T r i n i t y . R o y a l c r o w n s o u t l i n e f o u r h o r n s from a diadem m e e t i n g c e n t r a l l y . A l t a r s o f sacrifice a r e s y m b o l i c a l l y h o r n e d a t t h e c o r n e r s , and t h e word " c o r n e r " itself c o m e s from "cornu", a horn. T h o u g h t h e Christ Figure is not obviously horned, the head is t h o r n - c r o w n e d as a s y m b o l of s u f f e r i n g sacrifice instead; We s h o u l d also remember the symbology of the Unicorn. An emblem of genetic purity, t h e U n i c o r n " l a y s its h e a d in t h e lap of a V i r g i n " , i.e. fertilizes h e r m a g i c a l l y w i t h its phallic h o r n . I n e s o t e r i c C h r i s t i a n m y t h o l o g y t h i s s y m b o l i z e s t h e I n c a r n a t i o n o f a D i v i n e K i n g , via t h e " i m m a c u l a t e Conception". Artificial i n s e m i n a t i o n m i g h t be a more modern interpretation. Improved genetics resulted in not only better human stock, but o c c a s i o n a l l y o u t s t a n d i n g individuals w h o m a d e v a l u a b l e c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o h u m a n k n o w l e d g e o r c u l t u r e . T h e p r i e s t h o o d felt c o n v i n c e d t h e s e w e r e special s o u l s s e n t i n f r o m h i g h e r s p h e r e s t o help h u m a n i t y . S o m e t i m e s t h e y s u s p e c t e d t h a t e a r l i e r S a c r e d K i n g s h a d r e a c h e d s o m e s u p e r i o r spiritual s t a t e a n d really r e t u r n e d w i t h added w i s d o m and i n n e r e x p e r i e n c e i n o r d e r t o t e a c h and i n s t r u c t t h e i r people. T h u s o p e n e d u p y e t a n o t h e r aspect of S a c r e d Kingship—the W a y - s h o w e r image. T h e r e c a m e a period w h e n f o o d s t u f f s w e r e r e l a t i v e l y dependable and h u m a n b r e e d i n g r e a s o n a b l e , y e t t h e affairs o f h u m a n i t y still s e e m e d d e s p e r a t e . O n c e m o r e t h e s e r v i c e s o f t h e S a c r e d K i n g s W e r e needed, t h i s t i m e a s T e a c h e r s o f T r u t h . T h e t h e o r y w a s t h a t if s u i t a b l e individuals w e r e sacrificed in a c o r r e c t m a n n e r , t h e i r s o u l s would b e t a k e n i n t r a i n i n g b y spiritual agencies. Later, these souls w e r e sent back to this world with a m i s s i o n o f r i g h t i n g w r o n g s a n d s h o w i n g folk h o w t o set t h e i r m u d d l e s a n d m i s m a n a g e m e n t s s t r a i g h t again. I n o r d e r t o k e e p u p a supply of s u c h t e a c h e r s , t h e r e had to be a s t e a d y flow of sacrificial K i n g s available f r o m t h e a l t a r s o f t h i s w o r l d . B y this t i m e , w i t h t h e c o m i n g o f p r o f e s s i o n a l p r i e s t h o o d , S a c r e d K i n g p r a c t i c e s d i v e r g e d a long w a y f r o m t h e i r original m a r k . G o d - f i g u r e s o f a w e s o m e d i m e n s i o n s and h u m a n c h a r a c t e r -
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i s t i c s w e r e e m e r g i n g w i t h d e m a n d s t h a t s e e m e d s u s p i c i o u s l y like those of their discoverers. T h e y demanded worship, wealth, l u x u r y , and c o n t r o l o f all c o m m o d i t i e s , i n r e t u r n for w h i c h t h e y w o u l d b e g r a c i o u s l y pleased t o r e t u r n p e r c e n t a g e s t o t h e p r o d u c e r s . O n t h e w h o l e , t h e y could b e b e n e v o l e n t providing t h o s e w o r k i n g for t h e m a c k n o w l e d g e d i n f e r i o r i t y a n d d e p e n d e n c e o n t h i s divine d i s p e n s a t i o n . A n a t u r a l q u e r y c o m i n g t o m o s t people's m i n d s i s w h y t h e sacrifice always s e e m s exclusively male. W h y no " S a c r e d Q u e e n ? " O r i g i n a l l y , o f c o u r s e , b e c a u s e n o w o m a n w a s likely t o p o s s e s t h e physical s t r e n g t h a n d s p e e d n e e d e d to m a k e a " h u n t e r ' s kill." T h e n , i n a m a t r i a r c h y , t h e w o m e n w e r e n e e d e d for b r e e d i n g and c o n t r o l l i n g t h e tribal c o u n c i l s . M a l e s w e r e e x p e c t e d t o die s o t h a t f e m a l e s lived. T o d a y w e t h e o r e t i c a l l y h a v e t h e " w o m e n and c h i l d r e n f i r s t " t r a d i t i o n i n a n e m e r g e n c y . A f t e r all, o n e m a l e c a n f e r t i l i z e m a n y f e m a l e s , b u t f e m a l e s c a n o n l y p r o d u c e o n e child p e r y e a r . T o r e p o p u l a t e a t r i b e quickly a f t e r s o m e n e a r w i p e - o u t called for f e w m a l e s , b u t m a n y f e m a l e s . I n o n e s e n s e t h e r e w a s a S a c r e d Q u e e n . T h e dedicated virgin w h o s e j o b i t w a s t o call back t h e sacrificed K i n g i n t o h e r w o m b . A t first t h i s m u s t h a v e b e e n a simple h o p e , w i s h , or m a y b e a c h o i c e of t h e m a n h i m s e l f , r e q u e s t e d a t t h e last m o m e n t . H e m a y h a v e e x p e c t e d his o w n f a t h e r o r b r o t h e r t o bring h i m back t o life b y t h i n k i n g and p r a y i n g a b o u t h i m w h i l e e n g a g e d in a special s e x act f o r t h e p u r p o s e . It is possible t h a t t h e c u s t o m of a m a n p u t t i n g a child i n t o his dead b r o t h e r ' s w i d o w o n b e h a l f o f t h e d e c e a s e d w a s a relic o f p r i m i t i v e r e s u r r e c t i o n p r a c t i c e s . L a t e r o n , h o w e v e r , s u c h hit and m i s s a t t e m p t s w e r e s u p e r s e d e d b y all kinds o f e l a b o r a t e ritual s y s t e m s w h i c h m a y o r m a y n o t h a v e w o r k e d b e t t e r . W e h a v e t o r e m e m b e r t h a t t h e first S a c r e d K i n g s s e r v e d o n l y v e r y small h u m a n g r o u p i n g s . A s c o m m u n i t i e s g r e w l a r g e r , g r o u p p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n ritualized c u s t o m s b e c a m e far m o r e f o r m a l i z e d and complicated. T h i s should have increased their technical e f f i c i e n c y , provided t h e i n t e n t and d e p t h o f spiritual s i n c e r i t y w a s multiplied a c c o r d i n g l y . A t b e s t t h e S a c r e d K i n g w a s a s s u r e d o f t h e g r e a t e s t possible t r o u b l e t a k e n o n his b e h a l f , a n d a t w o r s t h e realized a l a r g e a u d i e n c e w a s applauding his last a p p e a r a n c e . T h e r e s e e m s little d o u b t t h a t i n m a n y i n s t a n c e s t h e literal flesh and blood o f t h e sacrificed m a n w a s s h a r e d i n fact a m o n g his
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i m m e d i a t e friends or a s e l e c t c i r c l e of c o m m u n i c a n t s ; possibly o n l y a m o n g t h o s e w h o w e r e t o play a n i m m e d i a t e part i n his r e s u r r e c t i o n p r o c e s s . B y symbolically s h a r i n g his sacrifice t h e y h o p e d t o s h a r e his i m m o r t a l i t y . N e v e r t h e l e s s , i n c r e a s i n g d e m a n d s b y t h e p o p u l a c e for c l o s e r c o n t a c t w i t h t h e i r s a v i o u r s called for s o m e g e s t u r e b y t h e o r g a n i z e r s , and s o t h e p r a c t i c e o f s c a t t e r i n g blood drops o v e r t h e people p r e s e n t g r e w m o r e g e n e r a l . T h o s e r e c e i v i n g a single spot w e r e a s s u r e d o f s a l v a t i o n a n d o t h e r s m u s t h a v e h o p e d t h e y w e r e included i n t h e g e n e r a l g e s t u r e . P e o p l e p r e s e n t a t K i n g C h a r l e s t h e F i r s t ' s public m u r d e r i n s t i n c t i v e l y tried to dip h a n d k e r c h i e f s i n t o his spilt blood. T r a d i t i o n m a y s e e m d o r m a n t , b u t i t n e v e r dies. T o t h i s day, t h e r a t h e r r e v o l t i n g p r a c t i c e o f " b l o o d i n g " t h e y o u n g e s t child p r e s e n t a t its " f i r s t kill" of a f o x h u n t p e r s i s t s . T h i s is usually m a d e by m a r k i n g t h e child's f o r e h e a d w i t h t h e bloody s t u m p o f t h e fox's s e v e r e d tail o r " b r u s h " . In b y g o n e t i m e s it w o u l d h a v e b e e n a b r u s h of s o m e s a c r e d t w i g s dipped in t h e v i c t i m ' s blood a n d flicked o u t o v e r t h e b o w e d heads o f b y s t a n d e r s . T o d a y a plastic h o l y - w a t e r c a s t e r has t o s i m u l a t e t h e s y m b o l o g y o f blood- purification o v e r t h e heads o f the congregation at High M a s s . L o o k i n g back again o v e r t h e principles o f S a c r e d K i n g s h i p a s p r a c t i c e d i n olden t i m e s , t h e r e are m a n y i n t e r e s t i n g p o i n t s t o c o n s i d e r . M a y b e t h e m o s t vital i s t h e v o l u n t a r y n a t u r e o f t h e sacrifice. It h a d to be a o n e h u n d r e d p e r c e n t act of free will on t h e p a r t o f t h e victim. T h e o r e t i c a l l y , t h e s l i g h t e s t c o m p u l s i o n o r c o e r c i o n applied w o u l d invalidate t h e a c t . F u r t h e r m o r e , a l t h o u g h s u c h freewill m a d e t h e act t e c h n i c a l l y i n t o a suicide, t h e fatal s t r o k e had t o b e given b y t h e v i c t i m ' s o w n people i n t h e p e r s o n o f t h e i r a p p o i n t e d s l a y e r . So w h y s h o u l d n o t a willing v i c t i m simply kill h i m s e l f b e f o r e w i t n e s s e s ? T h e free-will e l e m e n t i s r e a s o n a b l y o b v i o u s . T o o f f e r freely o n e ' s o w n b o d y and blood w a s , a n d y e t is, a b o u t t h e h i g h e s t act o f individualism i m a g i n a b l e t o m o s t m o r t a l s . F a r from being " s e l f l e s s " , it a s s e r t s t h e a c m e of S e l f - h o o d . It s a y s , in e f f e c t , "I do n o t need a c o m m o n c a r c a s s to be me. I am capable of s u r v i v i n g as m y spirit a l o n e . D e a t h does n o t diminish m e , i t deifies m e . Y o u , my people, a r e p a r t n e r s w i t h m e , and I will lead t h e w a y for y o u to follow along o t h e r p a t h s . We will live t o g e t h e r f o r e v e r , b e c a u s e I o f f e r my life for y o u r s a k e . I shall be i m m o r t a l a m o n g y o u a l w a y s . "
36 / AN O U T L O O K ON O U R INNER WESTERN WAY
I t i s possible t h a t during t h e e a r l i e s t e p o c h s S a c r e d K i n g s s u p p o s e d t h e y w e r e simply s a f e g u a r d i n g t h e i r o w n s u r v i v a l b y giving t h e i r lives o n b e h a l f o f t h e i r i m m e d i a t e families. I f a n e n t i r e g r o u p o f people w e r e wiped o u t , n o n e o f t h e m w o u l d b e able t o g e t back e a r t h w a r d s again t h r o u g h t h e i r special line. T h a t would b e t a n t a m o u n t t o b e i n g u t t e r l y d e f e a t e d b y o t h e r t r i b e s and cast i n t o captivity t h r o u g h t h e spirit w o r l d . T o a s s e r t i n d e p e n d e n c e and a c h i e v e individuality, t h e y had to k e e p at least a m i n i m u m of t h e i r line alive and a c t i v e on e a r t h . It w a s o n l y c o m m o n sense t h a t w h o e v e r s e t t h e h i g h e s t v a l u e o n this individualization should b e willing to sacrifice a single i n c a r n a t i o n for t h e s a k e of f u t u r e a t t a i n m e n t s . I n t h a t w a y h e w a s a s s u r e d o f his spiritual s t a t u s for at l e a s t as long as his folk-family lasted. T h e a c t u a l taking o f his life w i t h his o w n h a n d s w a s i m p e r m i s s i b l e for this r e a s o n . I f h e had d o n e t h a t h i m s e l f , his people w o u l d n o t h a v e b e e n included in t h e s a c r i f i c e at all. It w o u l d h a v e b e e n limited t o his individual life o n l y and n o t a n o t h e r soul w o u l d b e involved. F u r t h e r m o r e , h e w o u l d h a v e a u t o m a tically c l o s e d t h e g a t e o f his r e t u r n a m o n g his people, and b e lost t o t h e m f o r t h w i t h . T h a t w a s n o h e l p t o a n y o n e . N o , t h e only n o b l e a n d p r o p e r w a y o u t w a s b y l e t t i n g t h e people h e loved deal t h e d e a t h - b l o w . T h a t sealed t h e spiritual bond b e t w e e n t h e m all f o r e v e r . O n e m i g h t a l m o s t s a y " G r e a t e r love h a t h n o m a n t h a n this; t h a t he lay d o w n his life to his f r i e n d s . " It h a d to be his o w n people w h o t o o k t h e life o f a S a c r e d K i n g , b e c a u s e t h o s e w h o t o o k t h e life had a claim to t h e spiritual s e r v i c e s of t h e soul so liberated. T o b e killed b y o t h e r t h a n his o w n people i n a r e c o g n i z e d ritual w a y w o u l d m e a n his spirit m i g h t h a v e t o s e r v e t h o s e killers i n s t e a d . S u c h w a s t h e fate o f c a p t u r e d e n e m y p r i s o n e r s w h o w e r e butchered in bunches in the service of conquering gods. Sacred K i n g s died for t h e spiritual f r e e d o m o f t h e m s e l v e s a n d t h e i r folk. T h a t m a d e all t h e d i f f e r e n c e . T h i s raises some rather technical points concerning the S a c r e d K i n g s h i p o f J e s u s . H e w a s n o t killed b y t h e J e w s but b y t h e R o m a n s . I t w a s Pilate w h o o r d e r e d t h e title o f " R e x J u d a e o r u m " a t t a c h e d t o t h e c r o s s . I n Pilate's t i m e , this old d e s c r i p t i o n o f " k i n g " a l s o applied t o t h e s a c r e d s u r r o g a t e a p p o i n t e d t o m a k e sacrifices i n t h e r u l e r s ' n a m e s o n b e h a l f o f t h e i r people. T h u s P i l a t e ' s official n o t i c e o n t h e c r o s s r e p r e s e n t e d his o w n opinion a b o u t t h e n a t u r e
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of the Nazarene, an opinion he refused to alter on account of priestly p r e s s u r e f r o m J e w i s h a u t h o r i t i e s . A n o t h e r i n t e r e s t i n g point w a s P i l a t e ' s p r e s e n t a t i o n o f J e s u s t o t h e public w i t h his famous p h r a s e " E c c e H o m o ! " T h i s i s usually t r a n s l a t e d a s " B e h o l d the M a n " , b u t t h a t h a s n e v e r b e e n e x a c t l y c o r r e c t . T h e m e a n i n g o f " h o m o " i n its s t r i c t s e n s e i s " H u m a n being", " p e r s o n " . T h u s t h e saying really signified " L o o k ! H e i s h u m a n ! " I n o t h e r w o r d s , " S e e , this is n o t G o d , b u t a bleeding and b a t t e r e d h u m a n being. H o w much m o r e am I supposed to make him s u f f e r ? " Despite insistence by t h e J e w i s h l e a d e r s t h a t J e s u s be e x e c u t e d as a c o m m o n c r i m i n a l only, s o m e o f t h e c r o w d p r e s e n t s h o u t e d t h e t r a d i t i o n a l w o r d i n g o f " H i s blood b e upon u s and o u r p e o p l e , " m e a n i n g t h e y w e r e prepared to a c c e p t a sacrifice if civil capital p u n i s h m e n t could be considered a valid m e t h o d of o f f e r i n g a v i c t i m . As an e d u c a t e d man, Pilate would h a v e b e e n q u i t e familiar w i t h old p r o c e d u r e s o f pagan S a c r e d K i n g p r a c t i c e . H e w a s said t o h a v e b e e n b o r n i n B r i t a i n , w h e r e it still took place unofficially. So his u n i q u e acknowledgement of ancient customs by t h e INRI inscription could well be c o n s t r u e d as a c o n c e s s i o n to t h e u n d e r c u r r e n t of basic beliefs held b y m o s t c o m m o n people o f t h a t period. T h o s e w h o w a n t e d a s a c r e d sacrifice could h a v e it, and t h o s e d e m a n d i n g a political e x e c u t i o n w o u l d h a v e to be satisfied w i t h t h e d e a t h s e n t e n c e . Pilate w a s p r e p a r e d to play it e i t h e r w a y . A s h i s t o r y happened, J e s u s w a s e l e c t e d a s a S a c r e d K i n g among the anti-establishment elements of the post-crucifixion t i m e s , and s o h e b e c a m e L i b e r a t o r figure for t h o s e feeling oppressed, f r u s t r a t e d , i g n o r e d , o r o t h e r w i s e a b u s e d b y t h e g o v e r n i n g p a r t i e s i n p o w e r . T h e s e people and t h e i r s u p p o r t e r s found t h e m a r t y r d o m o f J e s u s a n ideal rallying point r o u n d w h i c h t o r a i s e t h e i r ideas o f f r a n c h i s e and h u m a n h o p e s . S o J e s u s really b e c a m e a S a c r e d K i n g by adoption, a f t e r his d e a t h . It m a y n o t h a v e b e e n t h e s t a n d a r d w a y of w o r k i n g t h e tradition, but it w a s a w e l c o m e i n n o v a t i o n , and a c o m m o n K i n g for t h e c o m m o n people of many countries was certainly an u n c o m m o n concept in those days. If a S a c r e d K i n g sacrifice w a s r e j e c t e d by his o w n people, a n y b o d y at all could claim h i m . T h a t w a s an old rule v e r y r a r e l y applicable. I n t h e c a s e o f J e s u s , his r e j e c t i o n b y t h e J e w i s h p r i e s t h o o d a n d r u l e r s h i p simply o f f e r e d h i m to t h e r e s t of the w o r l d a t l a r g e . W h e t h e r o r n o t h e has b e e n a c c e p t e d a s h e w o u l d
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have wished is still a debatable issue. At all events, the spirit of his sacrifice remains very much alive in our times. There is no doubt that Jesus intended himself as a sacrifice on behalf of his own circle and those affiliating with them. In his own words he spoke of his blood being shed "for you and for many in remission of sins." Not for everyone evermore, be it noted, simply for those concerned just as other Sacred Kings had always done. In passing, it should be mentioned that in its translation of the Latin Mass into English, the Roman church has deliberately altered those words to r e a d " . . for you and for all men so that sins may be forgiven." Perhaps it is best not to comment here on the obvious deviance with original meaning. In any case, "remission" does not mean actual forgiveness, but a lessening, merely an improvement of conditions. What is especially interesting with the sacrifice of Jesus is that he was offering himself according to the custom of an ancient folk-faith which was outmoded in his day. Sacred King sacrifices were still going on, of course, particularly in the West and North, throughout Europe and Britain. This was why Christianity caught on in those areas—Jesus was not doing anything new, but something very old indeed, which touched deeply at the roots of folk-belief. From our present point of human history in the West we may look back along the Sacred King story from many viewpoints. Nevertheless it is an actual account of the inner roots from which we rose. It amounts to an inherent individualism strong enough to defy death in the quest of an immortal identity; a willingness to sacrifice a lesser incarnate state of life in favor of what is believed to be larger living as a spiritual being. Naturally this does not show up in such direct and definite terms within the consciousness of average people. Probably very few are actually aware of such an inner aim at all in any clear or concise way. Most people feel the need to be themselves, but their behavior because of this drive varies enormously. Since with this work we are mainly concerned with the magical connections of our Tradition over the centuries, it may be as well to take a quick look at some of the salient points linking us from early times to this era. We shall perceive a definite pattern marking the inner movements of our Tradition so that we may know best how to fit ourselves in with
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t h e drift o f t h i s tide a s i t c a r r i e s u s t h r o u g h o u r o w n period. T h e s o l i t a r y p u r p o s e o r j u s t i f i c a t i o n f o r dealing w i t h t h e past i s t o h e l p us tackle our present in order to improve our future prospects. T h o s e intending to relate themselves with our Tradition by m a g i c a l m e t h o d s had b e s t b e a r t h a t i n mind w h i l e t h e y s t u d y t h e t r e n d s o f o u r c u r r e n t spiritual s i t u a t i o n .
4. Looking Over the Line
I. T h e dividing line b e t w e e n m a g i c and religion i n t h e W e s t has a l w a y s been v e r y n a r r o w . T h e r e f o r e t h e h i s t o r y o f o n e i s o f t e n e x t r e m e l y difficult to distinguish from t h e o t h e r , especially in earliest days. T h e a t t i t u d e o f W e s t e r n i z i n g man t o w a r d s magic w a s chiefly t h a t it o f f e r e d a m e a n s of e x t e n d i n g his e x i s t e n c e b e y o n d l i m i t a t i o n and i n t o t h e u n k n o w n . I f h e e v e r r e a c h e d t h e a b s o l u t e edges of his c u r r e n t i n n e r capacity, it s e e m e d t h a t n o t h i n g but s h e e r m a g i c could e n a b l e him to push past t h a t point and g e t a fresh grip on life in u n f a m i l i a r and h i t h e r t o s e c r e t s u r r o u n d i n g s . N o w this i s s o m e t h i n g very few h u m a n s e n j o y doing. M o s t people like living well a w a y from t h e edges of t h e i r e x p e r i e n c e , and are o n l y driven t h e r e t o b y crisis o r s o m e o t h e r major m o t i v a t i o n . R e l i g i o n g e n e r a l l y tends t o w a r d s m a k i n g a b a c k g r o u n d of belief a g a i n s t w h i c h we can a r r a n g e o u r lives to suit social and c o n v e n t i o n a l r e q u i r e m e n t s . M a g i c , o n t h e o t h e r hand, p u s h e s u s past t h o s e beliefs i n t o u n f a m i l i a r i n n e r a r e a s apt to be b o t h a l a r m i n g and u n e x p e c t e d . S o w h e n i t c a m e t o m a k i n g r e l a t i o n ships w i t h i n n e r realities, t h e a v e r a g e W e s t e r n e r p r e f e r r e d readymade religion, but liked to h a v e o n e or t w o magical tricks up his s l e e v e for e m e r g e n c i e s . He still does.
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T h e type o f m a g i c p r a c t i c e d b y W e s t e r n , p r e - C h r i s t i a n m a n was something of a mixture between modern c o m m a n d o training and t r a n s c e n d e n t a l m e d i t a t i o n . I t w o r k e d o n t h e a s s u m p t i o n t h a t a physical body had to be p u s h e d to its limit and a mind m o v e d to t h e end of its ability b e f o r e a n y t h i n g really spiritual could be a p p r o a c h e d and b a r g a i n e d w i t h . W h a t this a m o u n t e d to was a p r i m i t i v e but e f f e c t i v e s y s t e m of " f o r c i n g o n e s e l f " t o w a r d s a s t a t e o f t h r e s h o l d c o n s c i o u s n e s s . H u m a n s had l e a r n e d that, w h e n pressed to the very extremities of existence, a sort of "superstate" b e c a m e m o m e n t a r i l y r e a c h a b l e . In this s t a t e , an a w a r e n e s s of far m o r e a d v a n c e d b e i n g s w a s possible to s o m e d e g r e e . It w a s feasible to f o r m r e l a t i o n s h i p s w i t h t h o s e by t w o main m e t h o d s : religion, w h i c h tried t o bring spiritual s t a t e s close t o o r d i n a r y h u m a n levels, and m a g i c , w h i c h made h u m a n s look for w h a t t h e y s o u g h t o n h i g h e r levels o f e n c o u n t e r b e y o n d n o r m a l r e a c h . It w a s s c a r c e l y s u r p r i s i n g t h a t magic as a w a y of life appealed to v e r y few people in t h e W e s t e r n world. E v e r y b o d y practiced o c c a s i o n a l i t e m s of m a g i c , but it was left to t h e r a r e and dedicated d e v o t e e to t a k e it up as a life-study. S u c h souls w e r e e x t r e m e l y individualists. It m a y well be t h a t a w h o l e i n c a r n a t i o n so s p e n t added but t h e m o s t m i n u t e fraction t o t h e T r a d i t i o n itself. M o r e likely, it m e r e l y i n c r e a s e d t h e depth of w h a t w a s already t h e r e by t h e s m a l l e s t a m o u n t i m a g i n a b l e . N e v e r t h e l e s s , each single effort m a d e its m e t a p h y s i c a l m a r k indelibly upon the c o n t i n u u m of o u r collective consciousness as W e s t e r n e r s . T h e d o m i n a n t t h e m e o f sacrifice from t h e old S a c r e d K i n g f o r m u l a c o n t i n u e d to d e t e r m i n e t h e s h a p e of b o t h religious and magical p r a c t i c e s . W h o e v e r i n t e n d e d to s u c c e e d as a priest or m a g i c i a n m u s t be p r e p a r e d to sacrifice s o m e t h i n g of h i m s e l f to the " D i v i n e " i n e x c h a n g e for w h a t w a s w a n t e d . N a t u r a l l y , t h e r e w e r e c o n f l i c t s of opinion on this point. S o m e s u p p o s e d a sacrifice of worldly w e a l t h t o b e sufficient. O t h e r s sacrificed h u m a n c o m p a n i o n s h i p and spent lives of v o l u n t a r y s o l i t u d e in r e m o t e r e t r e a t s . S o m e sacrificed t h e i r sex o r g a n s o r blinded t h e m s e l v e s i n h o p e s o f i m p r o v e d i n n e r sight. N a s t i e r types could b e c o n v i n c e d t h a t unwilling sacrifices o f a n i m a l s o r o t h e r h u m a n s w e r e a c c e p t a b l e s u b s t i t u t e s . B l a c k magic is c o m m o n to all T r a d i t i o n s , unhappily, being a m a t t e r of m o t i v a t i o n and m e t h o d . It is doubtful if m a n y m a g i c i a n s in t h o s e early days had v e r y a d v a n c e d and a l t r u i s t i c ideas o f sacrificing t h e i r o w n l o w e r n a t u r e s t o t h e D i v i n e
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Principle w i t h i n t h e m s e l v e s . T h e p r o b a b i l i t y i s t h a t m o s t o f t h e m w o r k e d o n quid p r o q u o n o t i o n s m o r e i n t h e n a t u r e o f " I f I g i v e u p t h i s and this, t h e n I e x p e c t my G o d s to give me t h a t and t h a t in r e t u r n . " Elderly and e x h a u s t e d m a g i c i a n s m u s t h a v e s p e n t m a n y sleepless n i g h t s w o n d e r i n g w h y t h e i r d e m a n d s had n e v e r b e e n met by the ungrateful Gods. A T r a d i t i o n , h o w e v e r , is built out of failures as m u c h as s u c c e s s e s , possibly m o r e so. W h a t m a t t e r s i s t h e e f f o r t and experience more than results. S t r a n g e and lonely figures of our past lived u n r e c o r d e d i n c a r n a t i o n s apart from t h e i r c o n t e m p o r a r i e s w i t h a p p a r e n t l y little o r n o effect o n e a r t h . T h e y c e r t a i n l y p u b l i s h e d n o t h i n g , and s p o k e little t o p e r h a p s v e r y f e w people. T h e l e g a c y t h e y left o u r w o r l d s e e m e d n o t h i n g but t h e i r b o n e s . Y e t the contributions made by their consciousness to the T r a d i t i o n t h e y w e r e following h a v e helped keep it alive r i g h t d o w n t o o u r p r e s e n t day. T h o u g h u n k n o w n t o u s t h e y w e r e not u n h e a r d o f b y t h e i r o w n g e n e r a t i o n s , w h o s t a r t e d s t o r i e s and r u m o r s a b o u t t h e m . T h e s e passed i n t o f o l k - l e g e n d and f a n t a s y , still t r a c e a b l e i n h a n d e d d o w n tales. T h a t m a y n o t s e e m v e r y m u c h t o d a y , but i s a c t u a l l y far m o r e t h a n m i g h t b e supposed. W e h a v e t o ask o u r s e l v e s w h a t i s s o i m p o r t a n t a b o u t a n y i m a g e o r s y m b o l t h a t i t c o n t i n u e s t o stir h u m a n c o n s c i o u s n e s s c e n t u r i e s a f t e r its e x a c t o r i g i n s h a v e faded i n t o oblivion. W e m u s t also f a c e t h e c o n c l u s i o n t h a t n o t h i n g could s o c o n t i n u e u n l e s s its signific a n c e w a s really vital i n s o m e w a y t o o u r p r e s e n t c o n d i t i o n o f e x i s t e n c e . W h a t e v e r speaks to us f r o m o u r past at all, h a s still s o m e t h i n g o f v a l u e t o tell u s n o w and for t h e f u t u r e . W h a t actually did early W e s t e r n m a g i c i a n s do d u r i n g t h e i r e a r t h l y lives? D i s r e g a r d i n g t h e alleged m a r v e l s , w e can b e r e a s o n a b l y c e r t a i n t h e y a c c o m p l i s h e d a n u m b e r of v e r y solid spiritual a d v a n c e s i n t h e i r t i m e s w h i c h i n f l u e n c e d o u r o w n . T h e y d e m o n s t r a t e d h o w applied disciplines e x t e n d t h e a w a r e n e s s o f a dedicated h u m a n being i n t h e direction o f D i v i n i t y . T h e y claimed, and s o m e would say s u b s t a n t i a t e d , t h e possibility o f c o m m u n i c a tion b e t w e e n h u m a n b e i n g s and h i g h e r i n t e l l i g e n c e s . T h e y s h o w e d , i n s o m e i n s t a n c e s , h o w i n t e n t i o n a l i n t e r v e n t i o n from h i g h e r levels could affect and i n f l u e n c e o u r affairs o f e a r t h - l i f e . T h e y w e r e t h e f o r e r u n n e r s o f p s y c h i a t r i s t s , p s y c h o t h e r a p i s t s , and m o s t o t h e r m o d e r n medical dealings i n p e r s o n a l p r o b l e m s . T h e y r e l a t e d physical p a t t e r n s y m b o l o g y w i t h i n t e r n a l m e n t a l and p s y c h i c s t a t e s . T h e y also a c t e d a s o b s e r v e r s o f n a t u r a l h i s t o r y and
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m e t e o r o l o g y , c o l l e c t o r s o f a r c a n e i n f o r m a t i o n , s t u d e n t s o f sub and s u p e r n o r m a l p h e n o m e n a , and a l m o s t any o t h e r b r a n c h o f i n t e l l i g e n c e leading a w a y from a v e r a g e h u m a n i n t e r e s t s and mundane preoccupations. N o w a d a y s we t h i n k o u r s e l v e s so c l e v e r and a d v a n c e d as we wallow i n the m a t e r i a l i z a t i o n s o f o u r v a u n t e d " t e c h n o l o g y " . Y e s , v e r y r e m a r k a b l e indeed, but when and how did it start happening! It began in the m i n d s and souls of m e n and w o m e n living a v e r y long t i m e a g o w h o planted its seeds in a g e n e t i c g a r d e n still g r o w i n g invisibly a r o u n d us. All any g e n e r a t i o n does is dig o u t of i t s e l f w h a t has been previously put t h e r e by a n c e s t r a l a r c h e t y p e s and implant fresh ideas for f u t u r e finders. H o w e v e r , this " G r e a t W o r k " is c e r t a i n l y done in c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h h i g h e r t h a n h u m a n types o f i n t e l l i g e n t e n t i t i e s , w h e t h e r w e are actively a w a r e o f this o r not. It is a beloved fiction of occult w r i t e r s t h a t large s c h o o l s , c o l l e g e s , o r c o n s o r t i u m s o f adept m a g i c i a n s e x i s t e d i n m y s t e r i o u s and r e m o t e m o u n t a i n o u s r e g i o n s from w h i c h t h e y d i r e c t e d the lives o f l e s s e r m o r t a l s t h r o u g h o u t the world. T h e s u b s t r a t u m o f t r u t h h e r e is that t h o s e s e e k i n g individuation, a w a y from m a s s level h u m a n m e n t a l i t y , found isolation at h i g h e r altitudes a help t o w a r d achieving their aims. In s e e k i n g t h e i r o w n s e l f - p e r f e c t i o n , t h e y could s c a r c e l y avoid a feed-back into deep levels of c o m m o n c o n s c i o u s n e s s . H o w e v e r , no g e n u i n e p r a c t i t i o n e r of magic in its t r u e s e n s e would deliberately i n t e r f e r e w i t h the wills o f o t h e r m o r t a l s . N o r would they be likely to live in large c o m m u n i t i e s of their o w n kind, since t h a t would precipitate the v e r y publicity t h e y needed to avoid. T h e i r living p a t t e r n m i g h t allow for small a s s o c i a t i o n , family-sized at m o s t . T r a d i t i o n proved t h a t the m a x i m u m o f t w e l v e r o u n d z e r o was the largest practical g r o u p i n g in any locality. T h i s produced the solar p a t t e r n of signs r o u n d a c e n t r a l n u c l e u s , o r C o s m i c C r o s s , s o m e w h a t o n the lines o f the old s t o n e C i r c l e s . T h e r e w e r e probably v e r y few c e n t r a l i z a t i o n s o f e v e n t h a t size a m o n g W e s t e r n m a g i c i a n s . T h e m o r e likely figure would be t h r e e or four. W h e n needed, m u n d a n e c o n t a c t s could be kept b e t w e e n g r o u p i n g s b y their m o s t mobile m e m b e r s . T h e overall p i c t u r e altered a s w a v e s o f C e l t i c c o l o n i s t s w e n t Westward. With them went their hierarchic priesthood which m i x e d magic, religion and m y s t i c i s m i n v a r y i n g a m o u n t s . T h e s e D r u i d s , as t h e y w e r e called, w e r e by no m e a n s a l w a y s b e n e f i c e n t p a t r i a r c h a l figures c o n c e r n e d w i t h t h e i r people's w e l f a r e . T h e y
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w e r e t h e ruling m e m b e r s o f a n a u t o c r a t i c priestly c a s t e . Q u i t e apart f r o m a n y o f t h e i r r e p u t e d m a g i c a l p o w e r s , t h e y wielded c o n s i d e r a b l e political a n d c u l t u r a l i n f l u e n c e a m o n g t h e i r people, t h e effect o f w h i c h e v e n t u a l l y sifted d o w n i n t o o u r T r a d i t i o n . W h a t t h e y u n d o u b t e d l y did w a s to s y s t e m a t i z e a g r e a t deal of t h e tradition, giving it s t r u c t u r e and s o p h i s t i c a t i o n . T h o u g h the Druids insisted on the transmission of the "Hidden T r a d i t i o n " b y o r a l m e a n s a l o n e , t h e y w e r e a n y t h i n g but illiterate m e n . T h e i r " m o u t h t o e a r " m e t h o d o f i m p a r t i n g spiritual instruction was a time-honored system of "passing the W o r d " directly along a carefully c h o s e n line of c o n s c i o u s n e s s c o n n e c t i n g s u c c e s s i v e g e n e r a t i o n s of h u m a n i t y . A T r a d i t i o n r e c e i v e d in this w a y t h r o u g h direct h u m a n c o n t a c t s linked w i t h I n n e r i n t e l l i g e n c e i s far m o r e " a l i v e " t h a n i f h a n d e d d o w n o n paper o r o t h e r m e c h a n i c a l m e a n s o f m a k i n g r e c o r d s . Had t h e D r u i d s been H e b r e w s , t h e y w o u l d h a v e called t h e i r t e a c h i n g s " Q a b a l a h " , w h i c h signifies e x a c t l y this " p e r s o n t o p e r s o n " s y s t e m o f h a n d i n g o n s o m e t h i n g t o o s a c r e d for w r i t i n g d o w n . T h u s , D r u i d - t a u g h t T r a d i t i o n w a s indeed a highly individual affair on its i n m o s t levels, and t h e r e f o r e v e r y s u i t a b l e for W e s t e r n i z i n g i n i t i a t e s . W h i l e e x a c t o r i g i n s o f " D r u i d i s m " r e m a i n u n d o c u m e n t e d , all indications point to influences among t h e m tracing to Hellenistic, H e b r e w , and H i n d u s o u r c e s . W h a t t h e y t h e m s e l v e s put f o r w a r d , h o w e v e r , w a s e s s e n t i a l l y t h e i r o w n C e l t i c s y n t h e s i s and simplification o f t h e principles b e h i n d t h o s e o l d e r faiths. T h a t i s t o say, t h e y had s e l e c t e d specific k e y s and leading p o i n t s from a n c i e n t c r e e d s and codes, t h e n i n t e r p r e t e d t h e s e in a m o r e m o d e r n and practical w a y for t h e needs o f t h e C e l t i c people. T h i s w a s c e r t a i n l y t h e i r m a i n c o n t r i b u t i o n t o o u r W e s t e r n I n n e r T r a d i t i o n , and i t m a d e indelible m a r k s i n t h e s h a p e o f o u r p h i l o s o p h i c and m o r a l outlooks. N a t u r a l l y , t h e D r u i d s c a m e i n t o c o n t a c t and c o m p e t i t i o n w i t h t h e older m e n o f m a g i c a s s o c i a t e d w i t h m e g a l i t h i c c u l t u r e s , and u n d o u b t e d l y t h e r e w e r e c l a s h e s o f ideas and p e r s o n a l i t i e s . T h e r e m u s t a l s o h a v e b e e n useful e x c h a n g e s o f e x p e r i e n c e and m u t u a l l y beneficial friendships. W e h a v e t o r e m e m b e r , h o w e v e r , t h a t t h e C e l t s w e r e a forceful, m i l i t a n t people, w i t h a w a r r i o r c h i e f t a i n s h i p upheld b y a n o r g a n i z e d p r i e s t h o o d . E v e n t u a l l y t h e y a c h i e v e d d o m i n a n c e i n E u r o p e and B r i t a i n , o l d e r c u l t u r e s b e c o m i n g o v e r w h e l m e d and o u t p a c e d b y t h e s e p u s h i n g , a m b i t i o u s people.
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Gradually the megalithic type of magician retreated into the b a c k g r o u n d o r w a s a b s o r b e d i n t o a m o r e m o d e r n milieu. S i n c e D r u i d s disapproved o f S t o n e C i r c l e c u l t s , t h e a n c i e n t m e e t i n g places b e c a m e m o r e disused i n favor o f t h e " S a c r e d G r o v e " s y s t e m p r e f e r r e d b y this n e w e r p r i e s t h o o d . T h e D r u i d s also s e e m t o h a v e disliked t h e S a c r e d K i n g s a c r i f i c e s a s practiced a m o n g i n d i g e n o u s c o u n t r y m e n . S i n c e h u m a n life i t s e l f w a s held v e r y cheaply, t h e i r a n t i p a t h y m u s t h a v e b e e n based o n o t h e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n s . P r o b a b l y t h e y realized t h a t t o o v e r c o m e a c o m p e t i t i v e c u l t u r e , its c e n t r a l t h e m e has to be e l i m i n a t e d s o m e h o w . N o t e v e n t h e y could e n t i r e l y o b l i t e r a t e s u c h a n age old c u s t o m a m o n g s e m i - h o s t i l e a n d r e s e n t f u l n a t i v e s o f t h e i r n e w t e r r i t o r y s o , like l a t e r C h r i s t i a n s , t h e y c o m p r o m i s e d and s e t t l e d for h u m a n sacrifice i n t h e s h a p e o f c o n d e m n e d criminals or war prisoners doomed to destruction anyway. Also like later C h r i s t i a n s , t h e y s e e m e d to t h i n k b u r n i n g alive w a s a s u i t a b l e d e a t h for t h o s e w h o defied a u t h o r i t y . N e e d l e s s t o say, t h e d e l i b e r a t e d e s t r u c t i o n o f u t t e r l y unwilling v i c t i m s w h o m u s t h a v e h a t e d t h o s e w h o killed t h e m had n o t h i n g w h a t s o e v e r t o d o w i t h S a c r e d K i n g principles at all. It w a s a b r u t a l b l a s p h e m y a g a i n s t e v e r y t h i n g i n t e n d e d , and t h e D r u i d s k n e w this well. T h e y also k n e w t h a t h u m a n c r o w d s e n j o y e d w a t c h i n g o t h e r s suffer, and h o w quickly a large g a t h e r i n g could be g o t t o g e t h e r by t h e r u m o r of public e x e c u t i o n s in t h e n e a r future. C r o w d s could be talked to and m a y b e m a s s e s convinced o f w h a t t h e i r m a n i p u l a t o r s w a n t e d . O n e a r t t h e D r u i d s had s u p e r b c o m m a n d o f w a s o r a t i o n . T o g e t h e r w i t h t h e i r bard colleagues to supply m u s i c and v e r s e , t h e y really s w a y e d l i s t e n e r s r o u n d t o t h e i r w a y s o f t h i n k i n g . I t w a s a n e w and indeed a thrilling e x p e r i e n c e to p a r t a k e of a D r u i d " p r e a c h - i n " . Dull m i n d s began t o open and u n u s e d i n t e l l i g e n c e s a w a k e n e d t o i n s t r u c t i o n s o r i n f o r m a t i o n h i t h e r t o unavailable. T h e D r u i d s t a u g h t i n t e r s e , simple t e r m s w i t h allegorical allusions and local p h r a s e o l o g y . People listened in f a s c i n a t i o n and a w e to t h o s e a m a z i n g m e n w h o m o v e d m u l t i t u d e s w i t h t h e i r t o n g u e s and g e s t u r e s . A l m o s t n o n e o f t h e o l d - t i m e m a g i c i a n s could c o m p e t e w i t h this f a n t a s t i c flow o f l a n g u a g e and o r a c u l a r e n t e r t a i n m e n t , t o say n o t h i n g o f t h e fringe b e n e f i t s provided i n t h e w a y o f food, r e f r e s h m e n t , and o t h e r C e l t i c f o r m s o f h o s p i t a l i t y . H o w long i t t o o k t h e D r u i d s to p r e a c h a populace i n t o a c q u i e s c e n c e is uncertain. T h e y certainly never suppressed or supplanted the
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"Old Religion" entirely, as evidence shows. M o r e o v e r , the W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n i s i n d e b t e d t o t h e m for a n impact o f i n n e r a w a k e n i n g s at a t i m e w h e n we really n e e d e d r o u s i n g from a r a t h e r torpid s t a t e o f spiritual s l u m b e r i n g . Druids made one very important contribution to the Western T r a d i t i o n w h i c h few, i f any, m o d e r n c o m m e n t a t o r s realize. T h e y offered an alternative "salvation system" to the hitherto unchallenged Sacred King convention. W h a t the Druids preached was n o t unlike t h e f u n d a m e n t a l i s m o f t h e J e w i s h faith, but included r e i n c a r n a t i o n . N o t unlike t h e J e w s , t h e D r u i d s held to a " c h o s e n p e o p l e " o r " s a n c t i f i c a t i o n o f t h e e l e c t " t e a c h i n g . O n l y t h o s e souls w h o c a m e u p t o pre-specified spiritual s t a n d a r d s would m a k e top g r a d e i n afterlife. T h e r e w a s little h o p e for t h e r e s t . W h a t t h e D r u i d s did for t h e W e s t w a s lay t h e f o u n d a t i o n s t o n e s o f a l t e r n a t i v e i n n e r w a y s w h i c h l a t e r developed i n t o C a t h o l i c i s m and P r o t e s t a n t i s m . T h e C a t h o l i c s t r a c e back t o t h e older S a c r e d K i n g beliefs, w h i l e t h e P r o t e s t a n t s link w i t h the n e w e r D r u i d i c f o r m o f faith. T h e major d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n t h e two was one of relationship of M a n with God. T h e former believed in t h e principle of sacrifice e f f e c t i n g r e d e m p t i o n , and t h e l a t t e r believed in direct individual applications to D i v i n i t y w h i c h m i g h t o r m i g h t n o t find favor i f t h e applicant followed o u t p r e s c r i b e d t e a c h i n g s faithfully. T h i s last had a lot to r e c o m m e n d it for i n t e n s e l y individual W e s t e r n e r s w i t h sufficient faith in t h e m s e l v e s to t a k e a h i g h - r i s k g a m b l e w i t h G o d . Unhappily, we are still paying for t h e d i s s e n s i o n and e n m i t y w h i c h a r o s e b e t w e e n t h e s e f a c t i o n s . I t m a y y e t b e t h e w o r k o f magic a m o n g u s t o r e c o n c i l e this rift in t h e future. Hard on the Druids' heels advanced R o m a n Imperialism with its m u l t i - r e l i g i o u s m i l i t a r y m i g h t . S o far a s R o m a n r u l e r s w e r e c o n c e r n e d , t h e i r adopted G o d - f i g u r e s w e r e s y n o n y m o u s w i t h t h e i r o w n a m b i t i o n s . I f alien G o d - f o r m s a c c e p t e d this, well and g o o d — i f not, let t h e L e g i o n s l o o s e t o put t h e m i n t h e i r places. S o long a s R o m a n a u t h o r i t y w a s a c k n o w l e d g e d , let o t h e r s w o r s h i p o r b e l i e v e w h a t e v e r t h e y w a n t e d . T h e g e n e r a l policy w a s t o e q u a t e local gods w i t h r e c o g n i z e d R o m a n divine n a m e s , t h e n c h a r g e t h e i r w o r s h i p p e r s for a s s o c i a t e m e m b e r s h i p i n t h e G o d - c l u b . N o R o m a n government e v e r p e r s e c u t e d people for t h e i r religious beliefs p u r e l y and simply. T h e so-called a n t i - C h r i s t i a n p e r s e c u t i o n s w e r e e n t i r e l y political, b e c a u s e C h r i s t i a n i t y b e c a m e a
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d a n g e r o u s counter-force t o t h e R o m a n e s t a b l i s h m e n t and w a y o f life. R o m e dealt w i t h D r u i d s drastically for t h e s a m e r e a s o n . I n t h e W e s t , D r u i d s w e r e leading a l m o s t t h e e n t i r e r e s i s t a n c e m o v e m e n t t o R o m a n o c c u p a t i o n and i n t r u s i o n i n C e l t i c d o m i n a t e d c o u n t r i e s . S o t h e D r u i d s had t o b e s m a s h e d a s a n o r g a n i z e d t h r e a t . T o b r e a k u p a n o u t e r o r g a n i z a t i o n w i t h political and m i l i t a r y p o w e r i s a calculable o p e r a t i o n . T o e r a d i c a t e t h e i n n e r e f f e c t s s u c h an o r g a n i z a t i o n m a y h a v e m a d e upon t h e minds and souls of a people is a n o t h e r affair e n t i r e l y . D r u i d s m a y h a v e died in large n u m b e r s , but t h e y s t a y e d alive i n t h e T r a d i t i o n . M o r e o v e r , m a n y of t h e m , like t h e older m a g i c i a n s , simply faded i n t o a c a m o u f l a g e d o b s c u r i t y and c o n t i n u e d a s a n " u n d e r g r o u n d m o v e m e n t " . It is i n t e r e s t i n g to n o t e t h a t few of t h e i m p o r t e d s e c t s and cults a c c o m p a n y i n g t h e L e g i o n s really appealed t o W e s t e r n e r s . O n e e x c e p t i o n , t h e M i t h r a i c cult, h a p p e n e d t o b e a v e r y e x c l u s i v e a l l - m a l e and mainly military m e m b e r s h i p . Its a t t r a c t i o n for t h e W e s t , despite its o r i e n t a l o r i g i n s , lay w i t h its simple G o o d - o v e r Evil f o r m u l a , blood sacrifice of a s u r r o g a t e B u l l - k i n g , and graded system of promotion supposed to be connected with character t e s t s t o p r o v e w o r t h i n e s s . H o w e v e r , its o w n e x c l u s i v e n e s s a l m o s t a u t o m a t i c a l l y e n d e d it as an a c t i v e affair. M o s t W e s t e r n e r s s t u c k with their now rather run-down remains of "Old Religion" or c l a n d e s t i n e cults a m o n g t h e m s e l v e s w h i c h looked for n e w L i g h t on perpetual problems. T h e W e s t e r n spiritual s i t u a t i o n b e c a m e o n e o f f e r m e n t , a n x i e t y , u n c e r t a i n t y , o p p r e s s i o n , o p p o r t u n i s m , and a n a l t o g e t h e r u n s e t t l e d i n n e r c l i m a t e o f a v e r y t e n s e n a t u r e . W h o k n e w for s u r e w h a t t o believe any m o r e ? O l d people said o n e thing, but t h e y o u n g w e r e looking for a n o t h e r . I f o n e G o d w a s a s g o o d a s t h e n e x t w h y b o t h e r w i t h a n y o f t h e m ? T h e o n l y G o d claiming universal recognition was M o n e y . Financial fingers w e r e spreading fast j u s t t h e n , and c u r r e n c y c o i n e d in o n e c o u n t r y could be accepted in others at heavy discounts. M o s t of the Gods were b e g i n n i n g t o take back s e a t s b e f o r e t h e v i c t o r i o u s m a r c h o f M a m m o n , the all-conqueror, and the Tradition of the W e s t had b e g u n to include a c o m m e r c i a l code. Its i n m o s t and m o r e magical c o n t e n t s w e r e r e t i r i n g g r a c e f u l l y b e h i n d s c r e e n s o f l e g e n d linking t h e m y s t e r i o u s lands o f m e m o r y w i t h a w o r l d o f w i s h f u l t h i n k i n g . T h o s e w h o k n e w w h a t t h e T r a d i t i o n w a s all a b o u t h a n d e d h i n t s o f i t t o w h o e v e r t h e y t r u s t e d and p a s s e d o n w h a t e v e r t h e y could t o
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p e r h a p s a v e r y f e w t h a t w e r e able to accept and h o n o r it in t h e s a m e spirit. P e a s a n t s stolidly kept u p c u s t o m s t h e y could n o t claim t o u n d e r s t a n d b u t felt t h e y o u g h t t o follow. P o e t s i n v e n t e d r h y m e s , riddles, and o t h e r s y m b o l s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s w h i c h t h e y prayed m i g h t p e r t a i n to a l a r g e r life t h e y felt t h e m s e l v e s part of. T h e P e o p l e plodded along in p u r s u i t of profit as usual, and so t h e T r a d i t i o n w e n t w i t h t h e m all i n its o w n w a y , w a i t i n g for fresh e n e r g i e s t o e n l a r g e it. I t w a s a t this t i m e t h a t C h r i s t i a n i t y began s p r e a d i n g W e s t w a r d w i t h s u r p r i s i n g speed. It m a d e little i m p r e s s i o n in t h e E a s t a m o n g already e s t a b l i s h e d and o r g a n i z e d faiths, but i t w e n t W e s t a s i f i t w e r e s o m e t h i n g e a g e r l y a n t i c i p a t e d and e x p e c t e d . W h i l e it did not r e a c h w i d e r e c o g n i t i o n i m m e d i a t e l y , it quickly s p r a n g up in small q u a n t i t i e s h e r e and t h e r e especially in B r i t a i n and p a r t s o f G a u l . M o r e o v e r , t h e r e w a s a n o r g a n i z e d l i n k a g e b e t w e e n m o s t o f t h e s e little g r o u p i n g s . W h a t was t h e s e c r e t o f t h e i r p h e n o m e n a l rise i n t o p o s i t i o n s o f p o w e r w i t h s u c h r e l a t i v e swiftness? T h e i r real s e c r e t w a s t h a t t h e y w e r e s p e a r h e a d i n g a s o r t o f spiritual socialism p r o m i s i n g e q u a l c h a n c e s of s a l v a t i o n for all m a n k i n d , including w o m e n , r e g a r d l e s s o f r a n k , w e a l t h o r s t a t u s . It w a s a religion of r e v o l u t i o n o f f e r i n g e m a n c i p a t i o n and t h e h i g h e s t h e a v e n l y h o p e s t o t h e p o o r e s t , m e a n e s t , and m o s t a b j e c t m e m b e r s o f t h e h u m a n r a c e . All a n y o n e had t o d o w a s t o say t h e r i g h t w o r d s a m o u n t i n g t o " C h r i s t for K i n g " and i n s t a n t initiation h a p p e n e d . E v e r y o n e w o u l d be b r o t h e r s and s i s t e r s in t h e L o r d and paradise w a s o n l y a f e w m o m e n t s a w a y for b e l i e v e r s . G l o r y w a s a t h a n d , and G o d loved w h o e v e r c a m e i n t o t h e M o v e m e n t . W h a t we h a v e to b e a r in m i n d in o u r t i m e s is t h a t , all o v e r t h e W e s t e r n w o r l d , t h e r e w e r e t h o u s a n d s and t h o u s a n d s o f folk w h o had b e e n steadily p r e s s u r e d i n t o p o s i t i o n s w h e r e a liberating m e s s a g e o f t h a t n a t u r e m e a n t e v e r y t h i n g i n life t o t h e m . T h e y w e r e m o s t l y t h e o r d i n a r y people and especially w h a t w e w o u l d n o w call " w o r k e r s " w h o had felt t h e m s e l v e s helplessly o u t c l a s s e d , o p p r e s s e d , and t h e i r pleas i n s u l t i n g l y i g n o r e d by G o d s and G o v e r n m e n t s alike. T h e G o d s w e r e deaf, t h e g o v e r n m e n t s d e m a n d i n g , life w a s h a r d , and at t h e end of it w h a t ? Pain, p o v e r t y , and e x t i n c t i o n ! H e a v e n s w e r e for t h e w e a l t h y , and t h e m o s t o t h e r s could h o p e for w a s s e r v i t u d e f o r e v e r i n a n a f t e r l i f e i f t h e y
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w e r e f o r t u n a t e t o g e t t h a t far. T h e v a r i o u s m y s t e r y cults had b e c o m e m o r e and m o r e e x c l u s i v e , i n s i s t i n g o n h i g h e r admission fees, m o r e s t r i n g e n t s c r u t i n y o f applicants. N o h o p e for p o o r folk t h e r e . T h e y could join t h r o n g s a t t h e back o f officially s u p p o r t e d t e m p l e s , but t h e y a l w a y s felt u n w a n t e d o r u n w e l c o m e d b y t h e paid p r i e s t h o o d and t h e elite m e m b e r s h i p . T h e r e j u s t did n o t s e e m t o b e any spiritual o p p o r t u n i t i e s specially available t o t h e m . T h e y had a d v a n c e d s o m e w h a t a b o v e P e a s a n t level, s o t h e old barely r e m e m b e r e d rites had n o t m u c h m e a n i n g for t h e m . Y e t , not h a v i n g P o e t abilities, t h e y could m a k e little m e a n i n g o u t o f life for t h e m s e l v e s . T h e y w e r e g e t t i n g m o r e and m o r e o u t o f i n n e r t o u c h w i t h t h e i r T r a d i t i o n and b e c o m i n g b i t t e r , disillusioned, helpless, and very d i s h e a r t e n e d people losing w h a t is m o s t valuable in anyone's life—their sense of inherited destiny. All of a sudden an a m a z i n g m e s s a g e ran a m o n g t h e m like wildfire. T h e i r souls had been l i b e r a t e d at last. A G o d had c o m e to e a r t h again and freed e v e r y o n e o f t h e m b y sacrificing his h u m a n life as a S a c r e d K i n g should. At last, t h e days of o p p r e s s o r s and t y r a n t s w e r e n u m b e r e d . A h e a v e n l y w o r l d w a s at h a n d w h e r e t h e r e w o u l d b e n o p o o r , sick, o r unhappy people any m o r e . T h e w i c k e d e x p l o i t e r s would b e s e n t t o Hell f o r e v e r , and e v e r y b o d y e l s e would b e s o happy t o g e t h e r t h e y w o u l d s c a r c e l y k n o w w h a t to do w i t h t h e m s e l v e s . E v e r y t h i n g t h e y had e v e r w a n t e d would be available for t h e asking, and t h e r e would b e n o w o r k , w o r r y , w e e p i n g o r w e a r i n e s s e v e r again. T h e day o f m a n k i n d ' s d e a r e s t d r e a m w a s h e r e a t last. Equality, L i b e r t y , and B r o t h e r h o o d had a r r i v e d in e a r n e s t . C h r i s t i a n i t y would n e v e r h a v e c a u g h t on in t h e W e s t as it did if t h e people had n o t i n s t i n c t i v e l y identified it w i t h t h e i r old magical religion and t h e S a c r e d K i n g . U n d e r R o m a n law and w i t h officially e s t a b l i s h e d religions o f t h a t t i m e , h u m a n sacrifice t o G o d s w a s illegal and a n i m a l s had b e e n s u b s t i t u t e d . H o w e v e r irreligious o r i n d i f f e r e n t folk had b e c o m e , t h e y still held t r a c e s o f a n i n e r a d i c a b l e T r a d i t i o n i n t h e m s e l v e s w h i c h told t h e m t h a t m u c h o f t h e i r t r o u b l e s w a s due t o f o r s a k i n g t h e O l d O n e s and following f o r e i g n c u s t o m s . N o w o n e o f t h o s e O l d O n e s had c o m e to claim t h e m again in a far w i d e r s e n s e t h a n e v e r b e f o r e . A radical n o t e w a s r u n g t h a t w a s h e a r d w i t h c r y s t a l c l a r i t y all r o u n d t h e W e s t e r n world. We should r e m e m b e r that the origins of
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C h r i s t i a n i t y w e r e M e d i t e r r a n e a n , and s o w e r e t h e b e g i n n i n g s o f t h e m e g a l i t h i c c u l t u r e s . I t w a s a family faith r e t u r n i n g t o h o m e g r o u n d again, t h i s t i m e in a m o d e r n m a n n e r . S o o n e n o u g h all t h e s y m b o l o g y o f S a c r e d K i n g s h i p s u r r o u n d e d t h e f a r a w a y f i g u r e o f a M a n - G o d w h o h a d died f o r a n y o n e willing t o a c c e p t his s a v i o r s h i p . E v e r y t i m e his sacrifice w a s s y m b o l i z e d b y t h e b r e a d and w i n e s u b s t i t u t e s for flesh a n d blood his spirit w o u l d b e w i t h w o r s h i p p e r s , a s simply a s t h a t . T h i s r e v o l u t i o n a r y idea s u i t e d t h e m o o d o f people t h e m s e l v e s , and t h e n e w faith w a s t o b e c o m e a s y m b o l o f r e s i s t a n c e a g a i n s t o p p r e s s i v e e s t a b l i s h m e n t s and r e s e n t e d a u t h o r i t i e s . S y m p a t h e t i c m e m b e r s o f t h e older M y s t e r y c u l t s j o i n e d u p b r i n g i n g i n f o r m a t i o n and ideas t h e y had s w o r n t o hold s e c r e t . E v e n s o m e o l d - t i m e magical practitioners came to help revive w h a t they hoped was a r e s t o r a t i o n o f t h e i r b e l o v e d beliefs. T h e r e e m e r g e d a full-time p r i e s t h o o d p r e a c h i n g t h e d o c t r i n e s w h i c h w o u l d l a t e r lead t o t h e d o w n f a l l o f R o m e a s a n e m p i r e , and i t s f u t u r e e s t a b l i s h m e n t a s a religious center. II. W i t h t h e c o m i n g o f C h r i s t i a n i t y , t h e idea o f individualized S a c r e d Kingship entered and b e c a m e part of the W e s t e r n Tradition. S u c h a s u p r e m e privilege h a d a l w a y s b e e n for s e l e c t e d h e r o e s a l o n e , and these w e r e exclusively masculine. N o w it became accepted that s o m e t h i n g o f t h e s e m i - d i v i n e n a t u r e w a s i m p a r t e d t o e v e r y soul o p e n i n g i t s e l f t o t h e C h r i s t - S p i r i t , including w o m e n . E v e n t h e w o r s t of sinners had hopes of redemption once t h e right words w e r e said. W h a t e v e r t h e faults and fallibilities o f early C h r i s t i a n ity, it c e r t a i n l y b r o u g h t h o p e , c o m f o r t , and a g r e a t deal of helpful i n s p i r a t i o n t o l a r g e n u m b e r s o f deprived and despairing people. I t g a v e t h e m s o m e t h i n g t o really c a r e a b o u t , and t h e y felt t r u l y c a r e d for i n r e t u r n . T h e y k n e w t h a t s o m e h o w t h e y w e r e a l t e r i n g h i s t o r y a s t h e y b e l i e v e d for t h e b e t t e r . W h e t h e r t h e y r e a l i z e d i t o r n o t , t h e y w e r e a l s o defining and c h a n g i n g t h e c h a r a c t e r o f t h e Western Inner Tradition. Naturally there was opposition to the Christian m o v e m e n t . It was a threat to G o v e r n m e n t , a m e n a c e to the set ways of c o n t e m p o r a r y society, a dangerous and subversive sect that stated s l a v e s and m a s t e r s w e r e spiritual e q u a l s . I t u p s e t y o u n g people's
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m i n d s and old people's c o n v i c t i o n s . R e p r e s s i v e rules w e r e e n f o r c e d a g a i n s t t h e m but t h e y still flourished. P e r s e c u t i o n p r o v e d i n a d e q u a t e . I n t h e end, a n e x a s p e r a t e d e s t a b l i s h m e n t f o u n d o n l y o n e practical c o u r s e — b u y i n t o t h e m o v e m e n t a t t o p level and steadily t a k e o v e r its o r g a n i z a t i o n . It t o o k a v e r y l o n g t i m e and w a s o n l y m a r g i n a l l y s u c c e s s f u l . M a n y w e r e t h e r e b e l s and m a l c o n t e n t s being labelled a s h e r e t i c s and r e v o l u t i o n a r i e s . O n c e m o r e t h e " U s - a n d - T h e m " w a r w e n t o n while s e c r e t T r a d i t i o n a lists w e n t u n d e r g r o u n d w i t h t h e speed and e a s e o f v e t e r a n e v a d e r s . B u t , n o t b e f o r e t h e y had left a w h o l e s e r i e s of s y m b o l s in the churches interpretable by anyone attaining a certain awaren e s s o f t h e T r a d i t i o n itself. A t t h e v e r y far W e s t o f t h e w o r l d w h i c h w a s t h e n B r i t a i n , a n i n t e r e s t i n g m i x t u r e o f c u l t u r e s w a s b e g i n n i n g t o build up. R o m a n s t r e n g t h m a y h a v e officially b r o k e n D r u i d d o m i n a n c e , but m a n y o f t h e m h a d m e r e l y t u r n e d t h e i r labels r o u n d and w r i t t e n " C h r i s t i a n p r i e s t " o r s o m e t h i n g e l s e o n t h e o t h e r side. B y this t i m e , a C e l t i c C h r i s t i a n c h u r c h had c o m e i n t o e x i s t e n c e a s a n almost independent organization which managed to maintain coe x i s t e n c e w i t h o t h e r i n d i g e n o u s f a i t h s . Its m a g i c c a m e f r o m t h e p r i e s t - k i n g s , its p h i l o s o p h y a n d p r e a c h i n g f r o m t h e D r u i d s , and its mysticism from initiates of the secret s y s t e m s . H o w far t h e C e l t i c c h u r c h w o u l d h a v e e v o l v e d its o w n i n t e r p r e t a t i o n o f C h r i s t i a n i t y o v e r t h e a g e s can o n l y b e g u e s s e d . Its c u l t u r e w a s n o t a c c e p t a b l e t o t h e t o u g h and p r i m i t i v e type o f pagan w h o p r e f e r r e d older and c r u d e r w a y s o f living. N o r w a s its independent outlook acceptable to the central controlling caucus t h e n r e a c h i n g o u t f r o m R o m e . A w e l l - f i n a n c e d and backed m i s s i o n h e a d e d by A u g u s t i n e in E n g l a n d e s t a b l i s h e d a s t r o n g b r i d g e h e a d for R o m a n d o m i n a n c e o f official religion i n t h e W e s t . C h r i s t i a n i t y , w h i c h had o n c e b e e n s o m a n y people's h o p e s o f spiritual f r e e d o m , w a s n o w b e c o m i n g o w n e d and d i r e c t e d b y t h o s e w i t h w e a l t h and p o w e r . I t i s p r o b a b l y a b o u t this period t h a t t h e m a g i c a l w a y i n t o t h e W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n b e c a m e m o r e o r less c o n s o l i d a t e d . H i t h e r t o i t h a d a s s o c i a t e d v e r y closely w i t h religion, but n o w official religion w a s r e p u d i a t i n g its m a g i c a l c o n n e c t i o n s w i t h i n c r e a s i n g v e h e m e n c e . T h e gap w a s w i d e n i n g v e r y fast, and decisions o f p r e f e r e n c e and l o y a l t i e s had t o b e made. S t a n d a r d s o f e d u c a t i o n
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w e r e i m p r o v i n g slowly, and c o n t a c t s could b e kept u p a m o n g l i t e r a t e circles by w r i t i n g , e v e n if this m e a n t using a coded s y m b o l i s m for t h e s a k e o f s e c u r i t y . O n c e m a g i c o f a n y s o r t h a d b e e n labelled a n t i - C h r i s t i a n and i n c u r r e d t h e a n t i p a t h y o f authorities, the obvious course to take was one of silence, secrecy, and c a u t i o n in all s u c h affairs. M a g i c w a s taking o n a n e w m e a n i n g a m o n g T r a d i t i o n a l i s t s . I t s t o o d for i n d e p e n d e n c e o f i n n e r o p i n i o n and individual a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h spiritual c o n t a c t s m a d e b y m e t h o d s n o t t o b e f o u n d i n prayer-books or proceedings of parliament. Collectively, it meant c l a n d e s t i n e c o n t a c t a m o n g l i k e - m i n d e d specialists. T h i s w a s a b o u t t h e t i m e w h e n t h e P o e t and P e a s a n t s t r e a m s o f o u r T r a d i t i o n p a r t e d c o m p a n y s o widely i n a p p a r e n t l y o p p o s i t e d i r e c t i o n s . T h e division w a s m a i n l y o n e o f e c o n o m y and s t a t u s . T h e p o o r P e a s a n t clung t o his soil-level c u l t u r e w i t h w h a t e v e r h e could r e m e m b e r o f t h e O l d R e l i g i o n s c u s t o m s , b y n o w d e b a s e d and d i s t o r t e d a l m o s t out of recognition. T h e Poet, patronized by a wealthier clientele, r a i s e d t h e ideology o f t h e T r a d i t i o n t o t h e g r e a t e s t h e i g h t s r e a c h a b l e at t h a t period. T h e r e w a s n a t u r a l l y a wide d i v e r s i o n b e t w e e n t h e t w o c u l t u r a l e x t r e m i t i e s and c o m m u n i c a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e m b e c a m e m o r e and m o r e difficult. T h e P e a s a n t end o f t h e T r a d i t i o n relied o n its n a t u r a l t a c i t u r n i t y and suspicion o f s t r a n g e r s t o p r e s e r v e w h a t p r i v a c y i t could c o n c e r n i n g its c a r r i e d - o n c u s t o m s . E c c l e s i a s t i c s r a g e d a w a y a t p a g a n i s m r u n n i n g r a m p a n t , but t h e p e a s a n t s stolidly let t h e s e r m o n s roll past and w e n t t h e i r o w n w a y b e h i n d t h e b i s h o p s ' b a c k s . T h e P o e t , o n t h e o t h e r hand, inspired w i t h i m a g i n a t i o n , i n v e n t e d all kinds o f s e c u r i t y s y s t e m s for e n s u r i n g s e c r e c y and i n t e g r i t y a m o n g a d h e r e n t s t o t h e m o r e i n t e l l e c t u a l and m y s t i c a l end o f t h e T r a d i t i o n . A l l e g o r i e s , allusions, in-talk, codes, r e c o g n i tion p r o c e d u r e s , and all t h e e l a b o r a t e and f a s c i n a t i n g c o v e r - u p s still in u s e a m o n g s o m e o c c u l t i s t s today, w e r e s e t up as c a m o u f l a g e for a g r o w i n g f r a t e r n i t y o f W e s t e r n I n n e r T r a d i t i o n a lists. W h i l e admittedly e s s e n t i a l in o n e r e s p e c t , it g a v e rise to all kinds of m i s i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s . A m a j o r difficulty w i t h c o m p l i c a t e d p r o c e d u r a l t e c h n i c a l i t i e s i s t h a t people b e c o m e s o involved w i t h t h e m , t h e y o f t e n m i s s t h e vital t r u t h s t h o s e trivia w e r e e m p l o y e d to safeguard. Although withdrawn beneath the surface of external Weste r n living, t h e I n n e r T r a d i t i o n c o n t i n u e d t o s h o w t r a c e s o f i t s e l f
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a m o n g s t t h e people and i n t h e c h u r c h e s . S o m e h o w , t h e old M o t h e r - G o d d e s s made h e r demure come-back under the mask of M a r y , and p r e - C h r i s t i a n deities r e a p p e a r e d a s s a i n t s s u c h a s B r i d e ( B r i g i t ) and D e n n i s ( D i o n y s i u s ) . T h e m a j o r religious festival o f E a s t e r t o o k its n a m e from a pagan S p r i n g g o d d e s s . C e l t s still used t h e S o l a r C r o s s , local c r a f t s m e n c a r v e d a n c i e n t e m b l e m s and faces i n t o e c c l e s i a s t i c a l o r n a m e n t a t i o n — w h e r e v e r a n y o n e looked, signs o f barely s u b m e r g e d beliefs could b e s e e n b y a p p r e c i a t i v e e y e s . T h e Christian C h u r c h , which began by challenging the supremacy o f stultified spiritual leadership, w a s n o w o n t h e r e c e i v i n g end o f m a n y r e s i s t a n c e m o v e m e n t s a g a i n s t its o w n a u t h o r i t a r i a n i s m . B y this t i m e , t h e b e h a v i o r p a t t e r n o f t h e W e s t e r n I n n e r T r a d i t i o n w a s q u i t e e v i d e n t . A t its f o u n d a t i o n , t h e spiritual basis o f t h e T r a d i t i o n w a s r o o t e d i n individuation t h r o u g h initiation a l o n g a c c e p t e d lines o f L i g h t - L i f e . T h e e f f e c t s o f this e n e r g y impelled people i n c a r n a t i n g i n t o t h e W e s t e r n world t o a r r a n g e t h e i r lives in s o m e a c c o r d a n c e w i t h its i n f l u e n c e . As m i g h t be e x p e c t e d , this w e n t v e r y wide o f its c e n t r a l aim. T h e r e f o r e o n c e an e s t a b l i s h e d drift a w a y from t h a t m e t a p h y s i c a l m a r k c a r r i e d W e s t e r n c u l t u r e and civilization past a c e r t a i n point, an a u t o m a t i c c o u n t e r - c u r r e n t a r o s e t o c o r r e c t this. O u r h i s t o r y s h o w s that o v e r t h e c e n t u r i e s w e h a v e b e e n s w i n g i n g from side t o side o v e r the centerline of our Inner Tradition. T h e real w o r k o f initiates o f t h e W e s t e r n W a y c o n s i s t s chiefly o f keeping c o n s c i o u s t o u c h w i t h this precise spiritual s t r e a m r u n n i n g t h r o u g h o u r T r a d i t i o n , s o t h a t a g e n c i e s a r e available i n this world to m a k e c o n s t a n t c o u r s e - c o r r e c t i o n possible. It is not what those Initiates do which makes that difference, but what t h e y actually are in t h e m s e l v e s . Applied e n e r g y from i n n e r s o u r c e s passing t h r o u g h t h e focal points t h e y provide will actually do w h a t e v e r is n e c e s s a r y . T h e I n i t i a t e s t h e m s e l v e s simply h a v e to be w h a t , w h e r e , a n d w h e n t h e y are in o r d e r for s u c h f o r c e s to operate through them. P e r h a p s t h e m o s t s u b t l e and s o p h i s t i c a t e d T r a d i t i o n a l i s t o p p o s i t i o n t o o r t h o d o x C h r i s t i a n d o m i n a n c e w a s , and t o s o m e d e g r e e still is, t h e l e g e n d a r y q u e s t o f t h e Holy G r a i l . C a s t into conventional Christian mysticism, the Grail story is ostensibly c e n t r a l i z e d o n t h e C u p o f t h e Last S u p p e r , and v a r i o u s h e r o i c a c t i v i t i e s i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h a t t a i n i n g a c c e s s t o it. T h e hidden s t o r y is t h a t of t h e old S a c r e d K i n g sacrifice and t h e n e c e s s i t y for
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its r e s t o r a t i o n in a w o r k a b l e w a y a m o n g t h e elite of W e s t e r n e v o l u t i o n . U s i n g t h e B r i t i s h C e l t i c c h i e f t a i n A r t h u r and c o n t e m p o r a r y figures a s s o c i a t e d w i t h him a s d r a m a t i s p e r s o n a e , t h e G r a i l Legend retold the r o m a n c e of the ancient Priest-Kings in heavily veiled allegory, and pleaded for r e - i n s t i t u t i o n o f t h e s y s t e m a m o n g t h o s e e n t i t l e d t o its i n h e r i t a n c e b y b i r t h o r belief. T h e "Holy G r a i l " is actually the S a n g Real, or Blood Royal. T h i s r e f e r s t o t h e K i n g w h o s e blood m u s t b e s h e d o n b e h a l f o f his people, and also his t r u e line o f d e s c e n t f r o m S a c r e d K i n g s t o c k . T h e " K n i g h t s o f t h e G r a i l " w e r e a s e l e c t circle o f s u i t a b l e s u r r o g a t e s , from a m o n g w h o s e n u m b e r o n e had t o b e c h o s e n b y design or lot as a v o l u n t a r y victim. T h a t w a s t h e dreaded " G r a i l Q u e s t i o n " w h i c h had t o b e a n s w e r e d i f ill w e r e t o b e a v e r t e d . T h e f a m o u s R o u n d T a b l e w a s a n idealistic f o r m o f t h e S t o n e C i r c l e s w h e r e Sacred Kings were once selected from an assembled c o m p a n y . All t h e a n c i e n t s y m b o l o g y w a s r e s u r r e c t e d and s t r u n g t o g e t h e r in a n e w and e x c i t i n g f o r m . E x c i t i n g , b e c a u s e it a r o u s e d a n c e s t r a l and g e n e t i c a w a r e n e s s i n w h o e v e r i n s t i n c t i v e l y felt its s e c r e t significance. N e w , b e c a u s e i t b r o u g h t back o u r oldest w a y s o f w o r s h i p adapted for h u m a n s w h o had a d v a n c e d t o h i g h e r a r c s of consciousness over the centuries. With the advent of the Grail mysteries, our W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n m a d e a spiritual stride of i m m e n s e significance. It w a s as t h o u g h t h e a w a k e n i n g spirit o f t h e W e s t w e r e g e t t i n g a fresh grip o n life. O u r days o f childish c o n f i d e n c e i n " D i v i n e G o o d n e s s " s a v i n g us f r o m t h e e f f e c t s of o u r follies had e n d e d at last, and a m o r e adult o u t l o o k had a r i s e n . T h e r e w a s a n a c k n o w l e d g e m e n t t h a t t h o s e w h o w a n t e d salvation had b e t t e r fight for i t o n t h e i r o w n r a t h e r than rely o n providential r e s c u e p r o g r a m s . T h e implications o f t h e G r a i l cult w e r e t h a t t h e C h r i s t i a n C h u r c h as it s t o o d did n o t r e p r e s e n t t h e full r e d e m p t i o n s c h e m e for m a n k i n d . T h e r e w e r e c e r t a i n s e c r e t s w i t h h e l d from i t w h i c h o n l y a n initiated elect could c o m p r e h e n d . T h o s e , o f c o u r s e , w e r e t h e d e a t h and r e - b i r t h f o r m u l a s o f t h e old S a c r e d K i n g s y s t e m . T h e r e w a s also t h e orally t r a n s m i t t e d idea of a blood line in B r i t a i n directly d e s c e n d e d from J e s u s h i m s e l f . T h e c o v e r i n g s y m b o l i s m for this n o t i o n w a s t h a t J o s e p h o f A r a m i t h e a r e t i r e d t o A v a l o n o r G l a s t o n b u r y i n S o m e r s e t , B r i t a i n , b e a r i n g w i t h him t h e " H o l y G r a i l " and t w o v e s s e l s c o n t a i n i n g t h e blood and s w e a t o f t h e
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crucified Jesus. T h e "two vessels" were said to be living people. One, Mary the mother of Jesus, was the "blood", the other was her grandson or the "seed" of Jesus, sweat being an euphemism for seminal fluid. There is nothing known with the slightest certainty concerning the truth of such a rumor. Beyond the bare possibility itself, nothing survives for sure. Various "Keepers of the Grail" were supposed to have the secret handed down from one generation to another, but eventually the "Grail" was reputed to have removed altogether from this world to a mysterious place called "Sarras". Whether this meant the direct line had died out or a less literal interpretation should apply is a matter for speculation. Those who grasped something of what the Grail meant started their own searchings and strivings along the inner line9 its symbolic story suggested. Perhaps the concept which the Grailidea put most into people's minds was that of a "Panacea" or Universal Remedy for all that could ever go wrong in life. Obtain the Grail—whatever that was—and evils would end for the attainer absolutely. T h e Grail provided the power to solve every spiritual problem mankind would ever have. A little later this concept came out on a somewhat lower scale as the "Stone" of the Alchemists. Although we have not yet discovered a Panacea for all our problems, the concept itself is of enormous importance within the Tradition. Whatever the mind of man can conceive will eventually evolve. T h e process may take thousands of years and more, yet with time and work we can manifest what comes into our consciousness. It is the initial idea which is so vital. So our GrailPanacea is yet to come in a finalized form if we follow the lines it established in our Tradition only a few centuries ago. It only remains for us to go inside and get it for ourselves. The Grail-concept was virtually the last really great reappearance of the Sacred King theme among Western Traditionalists. From thence on they seem to have been more concerned with the philosophical and scientific side of its nature. This is because of slow but steady increases of intellect among a far wider section of Western humans. Earlier generations responded to problems more naturally by emotions and feeling. Later, an awakening awareness of calculable and controllable inner intelli-
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g e n c e d e m a n d e d a far m o r e d e l i b e r a t e and careful a p p r o a c h to o u r s u p r a - m u n d a n e affairs. T h i s appeared v e r y clearly during t h e n e x t t h r e e a l m o s t s i m u l t a n e o u s s t a g e s o f a l t e r a t i o n w h i c h adapted o u r T r a d i t i o n t o m e d i e v a l living. F r o m t h e p u r e l y philosophical a n g l e , t h e m o s t s i g n i f i c a n t w a s t h e a d o p t i o n o f t h e body o f spiritual s y m b o l i s m k n o w n a s t h e Q a b a l a h , o r " o r a l t e a c h i n g . " S y n o d s o f s c h o l a r s w e r e sifting, s y n t h e s i s i n g , and c o l l a t i n g all s u c h a n c i e n t k n o w l e d g e and e x p e r i e n c e i n t o c o n d e n s e d f o r m u l a r i e s w h i c h , i t w a s hoped, w o u l d carry a whole inheritance of enlightenment into the future. T o d a y w e s h o u l d say t h e y w e r e c o m p u t e r i z i n g i t d o w n t o basic t a p e s . Eventually they cast the entirety of their conscious capacity into t h e design o f t h e T r e e o f Life. T h e t r e e w a s a plan o f p e r f e c t i o n utilizing a n ideal p r o p o r t i o n a l r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n t h e primal principles o f Life a s a n e x p r e s s i o n o f D i v i n e and h u m a n e x i s t e n c e . As a " s a l v a t i o n s y m b o l " it h a s y e t no e q u a l , e x c e p t possibly t h e Cosmic Cross. B e c a u s e o f its a r c a n e a r r a n g e m e n t and a b s t r u s e p r e s e n t a t i o n , t h e H e b r e w v e r s i o n o f t h e I n n e r T r a d i t i o n r e m a i n e d relatively u n k n o w n and unappreciated except in very small circles. T o d a y it i s o n e o f t h e principal pillars o f W e s t e r n I n n e r p r a c t i c e a n d belief. M a n y s u p p o s e i t t o b e e n t i r e l y o f J e w i s h origin, but t h i s i s n o t so. I n t h e e y e s o f o r t h o d o x J u d a i s m , Q a b a l a h i s h e r e t i c a l . Especially s i n c e it a c k n o w l e d g e s a f e m i n i n e principle in t h e D e i t y , and i n c o r p o r a t e s ideas familiar t o t h e O l d R e l i g i o n . T h e s u b l i m e idea b e h i n d this c o n t r i b u t i o n t o e x p a n d i n g W e s t e r n c o n s c i o u s n e s s w a s r o u g h l y this: i n c o r p o r a t e e s o t e r i c e x p e r i e n c e i n t o a s i n g l e s e t o f k e y s . T h e s e could t h e n b e u s e d a s p e r m a n e n t p a t h s for a n y o n e s e e k i n g t o u n l o c k t h e spiritual s e c r e t s o f t h e i r o w n u n e x p l o r e d i n n e r b e i n g s . I n o t h e r w o r d s , try and arrange everything so that once the " K e y - i d e a s " were p r o p e r l y grasped, t h e y w o u l d a u t o m a t i c a l l y o p e n u p w h o l e c h a i n s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s and a w a r e n e s s . T h e n m a k e a " M a s t e r - K e y " p a t t e r n t h a t w o u l d w o r k t h e w h o l e s c h e m e successfully. S u c h a M a s t e r - K e y i s t h e T r e e o f Life, n o w b e c o m i n g m u c h m o r e widely k n o w n i n t h e W e s t , t h o u g h still o n l y likely t o h a v e appeal for intellectual eclectics. O f far w i d e r i n t e r e s t , due t o s h e e r h u m a n a v a r i c e and a m b i t i o n , w a s A l c h e m y , t h o u g h this i s m o r e o r less m a r g i n a l t o
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t h e T r a d i t i o n . Its o s t e n s i b l e aim, o f c o u r s e , w a s a n infallible c u r e for t h e w r o n g s o f p o v e r t y , ill-health, and o t h e r h o r r o r s o f h u m a n i t y . A t least o u t o f A l c h e m y e m e r g e d m o s t o f t h e c h e m i c a l k n o w - h o w w h i c h set t h e W e s t a h e a d o f o t h e r s i n this w o r l d for a long t i m e . W e still h a v e A l c h e m y w i t h u s i n o n e w a y , r e p r e s e n t e d by the persistent belief that m o n e y is the a n s w e r to everything on e a r t h , and g i v e n sufficient gold a n y t h i n g at all is possible. T h e m o d e r n f a s h i o n a b l e n a m e for t h a t S t o n e i s " s o c i o - e c o n o m i c s " . O n h i g h e r levels y e t , A l c h e m y still s a y s t h a t i f o n l y t h e w o r s t and w e a k e s t side o f h u m a n n a t u r e could b e t r a n s m u t e d i n t o s o m e t h i n g really s h i n i n g a n d splendid, w e need n o t live o n t h e s e l o w levels a n y l o n g e r but could t r a n s c e n d t h e m a l t o g e t h e r and e x i s t as m u c h b e t t e r kinds of b e i n g s . All we y e t h a v e to find is t h e " M a g i c S t o n e " m a k i n g t h i s possible. A n o t h e r t a n g e n t from o u r T r a d i t i o n w h i c h i s having its i m p a c t o n o u r p r e s e n t living w a s t h e R o s y C r o s s f o r m u l a o f p h i l o s o p h y , r o m a n t i c religion, a n d h u m a n i t a r i a n i s m . I n its e a r l y days, this could a l m o s t be d e s c r i b e d in p r e s e n t t e r m s as "popo c c u l t i s m " . I t coincided w i t h t h e c u r r e n t s o f religious r e f o r m a t i o n and t h e spirit o f r e n a i s s a n c e w h i c h a t long last w a s s w e e p i n g through the W e s t e r n world. T h e R o s i c r u c i a n f o r m u l a r y c a u g h t t h e i m a g i n a t i o n o f intellig e n t a n d p r o g r e s s i v e people o f t h a t period m u c h a s t h e G r a i l c o n c e p t had s t i r r e d t h e i r f o r b e a r s , but f r o m a s o m e w h a t d i f f e r e n t a n g l e . W r a p p e d up in p l e a s a n t l y r o m a n t i c l a n g u a g e w a s a spiritual and social c o d e o f c o n d u c t a c c e p t a b l e t o a v e r a g e m o r t a l s w h o g e n u i n e l y w a n t e d t h e i r world to b e c o m e a b e t t e r place for people. Its appeal w a s and y e t is s a n e and s e n s i b l e w a y s of w o r k i n g and t h i n k i n g , s o u n d spiritual s t a n d a r d s , and w h a t i s g e n e r a l l y t h o u g h t of as good, ethical behavior. W e have t o r e m e m b e r t h e c l i m a t e o f t h e t i m e s during w h i c h t h e R o s y C r o s s c o n c e p t made its a p p e a r a n c e . C o r r u p t i o n i n C h u r c h and political p r a c t i c e w a s s o c o m m o n p l a c e t h a t f e w s e r i o u s l y believed it could be a l t e r e d e x c e p t by s m a s h i n g t h e s y s t e m and trying t o build a b e t t e r o n e . H e r e a n d t h e r e , s o m e w e r e t r y i n g t o f o r m t a n g e n t s along n e w lines t h a t w o u l d lead a w a y f r o m t h e m e s s i n t o less c o n t a m i n a t e d i n n e r a r e a s . T h e R o s e C r o s s S c h e m e w a s o n e o f t h e s e . I t said i n e f f e c t " H a v e c o u r a g e . P i c k u p y o u r o w n p a t h s and simply walk q u i e t l y o u t o f this m a n -
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m a d e muddle b y y o u r s e l f . Y o u h a v e L i g h t i n y o u r s e l f w h i c h will infallibly lead y o u if y o u follow its rays. N e v e r m i n d a n y t h i n g t h a t C h u r c h , S t a t e , o r o t h e r c o n f u s e r s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s tell y o u . " L i k e t h e G r a i l , t h e R o s y C r o s s appealed t o a n elite t h a t i n s t i n c t i v e l y u n d e r s t o o d its i m p o r t , but t h i s t i m e it w a s a m o n g a m u c h w i d e r r a n g e o f s o c i e t y . T h e o n l y qualification w a s c o m p r e h e n s i o n a n d w i l l i n g n e s s t o w o r k for specified social and spiritual a i m s . A l t h o u g h t h e v i s i o n a r y n u c l e u s o f t h e fabled O r d e r w a s a college o f o n e h u n d r e d full m e m b e r s t h e t h e o r y w a s t h a t i f o n l y a h u n d r e d e n t i r e l y u p r i g h t people could be found to f o r m a c o m p l e t e circle o f spiritual i n t e g r i t y , t h e e f f e c t s f r o m such a n i n n e r s t r o n g h o l d could multiply and m a g n i f y e n o u g h t o i n f l u e n c e e v e r y o n e else for t h e b e t t e r in time. It w a s t h e t e n j u s t m e n n e e d e d t o save S o d o m and G o m o r r a h all o v e r again, e x c e p t t h a t i n c r e a s e d population called for m o r e s a v i o r s . M u c h h a s and can still b e m a d e o f t h e R o s e C r o s s s y m b o l . T h e R o s e is to the W e s t as the Lotus is to the East: the flowering of the e t h n i c spirit in a balanced s t a t e of b e a u t y and p e r f e c t i o n . It w a s also t h e s y m b o l of r e s u r r e c t i o n , t h u s r e v i v i n g a v e r y old c o n t r a c t w i t h C o s m o s — t h e S a c r e d K i n g s h i p ideal. A red r o s e is s y m b o l i c of p a s s i o n i n t h e s e n s e o f deep and t r u e feeling. T h e S a c r e d K i n g sacrifice in C h r i s t i a n m y t h o l o g y is called t h e " P a s s i o n " of J e s u s . Used in c o n t e x t with a C r o s s , the R o s e was to s h o w what a m o u n t e d t o a " n e w C h r i s t i a n i t y " for W e s t e r n people, e x e m p l i fying a spirit of s e l f - s a c r i f i c e for t h e s a k e of a t t a i n i n g a s t a t e of p e r f e c t i o n a m o n g people. T h e e m b l e m w a s t o b e a badge for t h o s e i n t e n d i n g to i n c a r n a t e a C h r i s t - s p i r i t i n t o t h e m s e l v e s in o r d e r to help o t h e r h u m a n s a r o u n d t h e m . I t w a s t h e best o f O l d and N e w c o m b i n e d i n t o c o n c e p t s m e a n t for c a r r y i n g folk f o r w a r d t o t h e f u t u r e w i t h h o p e s o f peace and p e r f e c t i o n . T h e r e f o r m a t i o n w h i c h w e n t o n i n t h e "Hidden C h u r c h " a s well as in t h e r e a l m s of official religion spread o v e r an i n c r e a s i n g l y w i d e front. M u c h o f t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n and p r o c e d u r e s still used i n " L o d g e s " o r " T e m p l e s " o f p r e s e n t day o c c u l t i s m w e r e f o r m u l a t e d a b o u t t h a t period. H o w e v e r , t h e m o s t i n t e r e s t i n g p r o j e c t i o n w a s that which became known as " M a s o n r y . " T r a d e guilds i n c o r p o r a t i n g m u t u a l benefit s c h e m e s for s i c k n e s s , u n e m p l o y m e n t , hardship, and burial c o n t i n g e n c i e s had b e e n g o i n g for a v e r y long t i m e o n e w a y or a n o t h e r . In old days
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t h e y had usually been a s s o c i a t e d w i t h specific T e m p l e s , cults, o r denominational backgrounds with which m e m b e r s h i p in good standing was obligatory. T h e Christian C h u r c h took over the r u n n i n g o f t h e s e f r o m e a r l i e r pagan h a n d s , and i n E u r o p e and B r i t a i n t h e y w e r e chiefly c o n t r o l l e d b y a n o r t h o d o x o w n e r s h i p . With the advent of " N e w Christianity", however, the situation b e g a n t o c h a n g e , inclining t o w a r d s " h u m a n i s m " r a t h e r than " r e l i g i o u s n e s s " . It w a s b e g i n n i n g to m a t t e r less that a man b e l o n g e d to a n y p a r t i c u l a r b r a n c h of religion, and m o r e t h a t he w a s a w o r t h w h i l e fellow being. If he c a m e w i t h i n c e r t a i n s t a n d a r d s o f u p r i g h t n e s s and ability, t h e n h e w a s w o r t h a d m i t t i n g i n t o similar circles for his o w n sake. If n o t , t h e n let him wait outside where he belonged. It w a s principally into t h e " c l o s e d s h o p " g a t h e r i n g s or " L o d g e s " o f t h e S t o n e w o r k e r s o r M a s o n s t h a t ideas o r i g i n a t i n g from " N e w M a g i c " infiltrated and found fruitful r o o t s . T h i s is i n t e r e s t i n g w h e n o n e r e m e m b e r s i t was a m o n g t h e old S t o n e C i r c l e c o n s t r u c t o r s t h a t W e s t e r n f o r m s o f m a g i c really began. T h e f o r m a t i o n and w o r k i n g principles of guild lodges having an elected o f f i c e r s h i p and s e l e c t e d m e m b e r s h i p had e x i s t e d for a long while. B e f o r e m e n could qualify for b e t t e r positions of pay or privilege, t h e y had to pass s t a n d a r d t e s t s to p r o v e t h e i r f i t n e s s , w h i c h e v e r y o n e a d m i t t e d w a s perfectly fair. O v e r t h e c e n t u r i e s t h e y had evolved t h e i r o w n c u s t o m s and c o n v e n t i o n s in c o n n e c t i o n with t h e i r craft. T h e r e w a s n ' t really m u c h magical a b o u t all that. W h e r e the m a g i c c a m e in was t h r o u g h a s y s t e m a t i c a l i g n m e n t and a s s o c i a t i o n o f the c o m m o n tools and t e r m s o f t h e i r trade with specific spiritual e q u i v a l e n t s . T h e m u n d a n e i t e m s used i n t h e manufacture of material structures were slanted symbolically so a s t o c o n s t a n t l y direct their a t t e n t i o n t o w a r d h i g h e r r e a l m s o f reality. W h i l e a c c o m p l i s h i n g t h e least w o r k in this world, t h e y w e r e a u t o m a t i c a l l y r e m i n d e d o f life o n m o r e e x a l t e d levels. T h e y w e r e trained to find spiritual s i g n i f i c a n c e in e v e r y single e a r t h l y act t h e y did, and a l t e r the m o n k i s h p r e c e p t " W o r k and P r a y " into " W o r k is P r a y e r . " E v e n t u a l l y , o f c o u r s e , g r o u p s o f n o n - l a b o r i n g m e n began s e t t i n g up t h e i r o w n social g a t h e r i n g s on m u c h t h e s a m e scale, r e t a i n i n g s y m b o l i s m from t h e s t o n e w o r k e r s ' i m p e d i m e n t a and p r o c e d u r e s , but a c c e p t i n g it on e n t i r e l y figurative lines. T h e y
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b e c a m e , specifically, F r e e - M a s o n s . T h o s e w i s h i n g t o w o r k i n o t h e r w a y s adopted t h e i r f a v o r i t e s y s t e m s o f s y m b o l i s m , but usually f o r m e d t h e i r o r g a n i z a t i o n s a c c o r d i n g t o v e r y similar schemes. Hence the apparent connection between some of the socalled " O c c u l t O r d e r s " and o r t h o d o x F r e e m a s o n r y . O n e p a r t i c u larly useful f u n c t i o n t h o s e g r o u p s s e r v e d w a s providing a place for t h e P e a s a n t s , P o e t s , and P e o p l e o f o u r j o i n t I n n e r T r a d i t i o n t o m e e t and s o r t o u t p r o b l e m s for f u t u r e s o l u t i o n t o g e t h e r i I f w e l o o k back t o E u r o p e a b o u t t h e first R o s i c r u c i a n period, we find t h a t a lot of t h e P e a s a n t s , s o m e of t h e P e o p l e , and a few of t h e P o e t s w e r e n o t doing well a t all. C h u r c h - S t a t e p e r s e c u t i o n s w e r e in full s w i n g a g a i n s t dissension from official faiths. C a u g h t b e t w e e n t h e t w o - p r o n g e d f o r k o f h e r e s y and w i t c h c r a f t , e n d l e s s folk m e t a g o n i z i n g e n d s a t t h e h a n d s o f h o l y h y p o c r i s y . E v e n today there is considerable misunderstanding about this situation, so a f e w vital points m a y as well be clarified. In t h e first place, n o b o d y w a s e x e c u t e d for being a n o n C h r i s t i a n of any kind. A h e r e t i c could o n l y be a m e m b e r of t h e C h u r c h , w h o denied official d o c t r i n e . J e w s , M u s l i m s , H i n d u s , e t c . , b e i n g c l a s s e d as h e a t h e n , could n o t be h e r e t i c s . N o n e but baptised C h r i s t i a n s w h o a b j u r e d w h a t e v e r t h e y w e r e told t o believe b y a u t h o r i t i e s could t h e r e f o r e b e classed a s h e r e t i c s . N o m a t t e r w h a t o t h e r o p i n i o n s t h e y held o f C h r i s t i a n d o c t r i n e , i f t h o s e did n o t a g r e e w i t h t h e laid d o w n f o r m u l a s , t h e n h e r e s y w a s t a k e n for g r a n t e d and dealt w i t h a c c o r d i n g l y . W i t c h c r a f t w a s d i f f e r e n t a l t o g e t h e r . T h a t w a s specifically a d e l i b e r a t e w o r k i n g o f evil a g a i n s t G o d and m a n alike b y m e a n s o f w h a t w e r e t e r m e d "diabolic a r t s " . T h o s e could b e a n y t h i n g from ill-wishing t o p o i s o n i n g , but t h e implication w a s t h a t "evil s p i r i t s " w e r e i n v o l v e d i n t h e deal t o m a k e a n y act o n e o f w i t c h c r a f t . F o r i n s t a n c e , t o c u r s e a n y o n e p e r s o n a l l y w a s a g a i n s t r u l e s o f religion, o r t o poison t h e m w a s m u r d e r and a g a i n s t all l a w s . H a d t h e c u r s e b e e n i n t h e n a m e o f t h e D e v i l , o r t h e poison supposedly s u g g e s t e d or supplied by a diabolical a g e n c y , t h e n t h a t w a s w i t c h c r a f t . O n l y intervention by anti-human intelligences constituted the C h u r c h variety of witchcraft, which of course carried the death sentence. I n o r d e r t o m a k e t h e i r c h a r g e s stick, t h e C h u r c h had t o i n v e n t S a t a n i s m and a c c u s e any odd p a g a n s t h e y picked u p o f w o r k i n g w i t c h c r a f t and w o r s h i p p i n g S a t a n . W i t c h c r a f t o n t h e s t a t u t e
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b o o k s w a s a c r i m e applicable to a n y b o d y w h a t e v e r , be t h e y C h r i s t i a n s , J e w s , o r n o t h i n g i n p a r t i c u l a r . I t w a s a n o f f e n c e per s e and p u n i s h a b l e on its m e r i t s a l o n e . O n c e t h e C h u r c h and S t a t e g o t i n t o its drive a g a i n s t a n y s u r v i v i n g r e m n a n t s o f p a g a n i s m i n E u r o p e , t h o s e w h o w e r e still t r y i n g t o k e e p u p a g e - o l d and m o s t l y f o r g o t t e n f o r m u l a o f a n c i e n t n a t u r e faiths e i t h e r h a d t o c o v e r u p fast o r risk ruin. T h e i r primitive and often brutal practices, acceptable among thems e l v e s , w e r e declared w o r k s o f w i t c h c r a f t o r , w o r s e still, S a t a n i s m , b y t h e C h u r c h . S a t a n m e a n t n o t h i n g a t all t o t h e p r i m i t i v e s , e x c e p t s o m e spirit t h e C h r i s t i a n s w e r e afraid o f for their own reasons. T h e lower-level inheritors of the Sacred King s y s t e m had n e v e r h e a r d o f a " B l a c k M a s s " . I t w a s t h e C h u r c h a u t h o r i t i e s w h o s u p p o s e d a n y sacrifice o f life o u t s i d e t h o s e t h e y p e r m i t t e d t h e m s e l v e s had t o b e a n illegal o f f e r i n g t o t h e Devil. S o the Black M a s s of the Satanists was, strictly speaking, originated by Christians. So was witchcraft, though some now suppose it to be a survival of paganity. Pagans w e r e no m o r e witches than a n y o n e else i n a n y era. T h e w o r d m e a n s e t y m o l o g i c a l l y a w o r k e r o f w i c k e d n e s s , and w a s applied t o p a g a n s b y t h e C h u r c h , not t h e m s e l v e s . O n l y u n d e r t o r t u r e w o u l d t h e y admit t o a n y r u b b i s h suggested by inquisitors. T h e r e is no d o u b t t h a t , in m a n y i n s t a n c e s , p a g a n p r a c t i c e in E u r o p e had d e g e n e r a t e d badly. W i t h f e w e r and f e w e r r e s p o n s i b l e and i n i t i a t e d individuals t o c o n t r o l and guide t h e m , t h e P e a s a n t s w h o still clung t o p a g a n i s m w e r e s o m e t i m e s indulging i n vicious s e x u a l and sadistic b e h a v i o r a s r e l e a s e s from t h e i r o p p r e s s i o n s . T h a t , h o w e v e r , does n o t j u s t i f y t h e b r u t a l i t y and sadism o f t h o s e a u t h o r i t i e s in tackling t h e s i t u a t i o n . W h a t is m o r e , it made a bad connection with our Tradition which is showing up very strongly in o u r t i m e s all t h e s e y e a r s l a t e r . It also lost us v a l u a b l e links w i t h a n c i e n t lines w h i c h will t a k e q u i t e a w h i l e to c a t c h up with. P e r h a p s w o r s t of all, it p r o d u c e d a s y s t e m a t i c religion of Evil w h i c h f l o u r i s h e s yet and f o r m s a focus for a n t i - h u m a n a g e n c i e s . D e s p i t e its d e s p o t i s m , t h e C h u r c h w a s fighting a losing b a t t l e a g a i n s t a n a w a k e n i n g i n n e r a w a r e n e s s a m o n g W e s t e r n people w h i c h w a s s t i r r i n g t h e i r souls i n t o a c t i v i t y . V i s i o n s o f a far f u t u r e we have not yet reached were reflected from the mirrors of the past, p e r c e i v e d o n l y partially at t h a t period, and p r o j e c t e d i n t o all
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s o r t s o f s c h e m e s and s t r a t a g e m s w h i c h s o u n d a b s u r d t o u s today. W h e t h e r t h e y w e r e really any sillier t h a n w e r e m a i n s t o b e s e e n i n other incarnations. It is difficult to i m a g i n e a m o r e muddled m e s s t h a n t h e m a g i c o f t h e middle a g e s . T h i s w a s indeed a h o t c h - p o t c h o f f r a g m e n t s from e v e r y part o f t h e T r a d i t i o n j u m b l e d t o g e t h e r i n t o t h e m o s t e x t r a o r d i n a r y j u n k - h e a p o f c o l l e c t e d c u r i o s a likely t o b e m e t o n l i t e r a r y levels. Its basic idea w a s bullying d e m o n s i n t o doing w h a t e v e r dirty w o r k w a s w a n t e d , s u c h a s g e t t i n g rich quickly, killing e n e m i e s , g r a b b i n g girls, o r g e n e r a l l y g r a t i f y i n g w h i c h e v e r desire came topmost at any m o m e n t . T h e r e were two ways of doing this. O n e w a s t o m a k e friends w i t h p o w e r f u l a n g e l s w h o could c o m m a n d t h e d e m o n s t o o b e y h u m a n o r d e r s . T h a t w a s " W h i t e " magic. T h e o t h e r w a s o f f e r i n g o n e ' s o w n soul t o t h e S p i r i t of Evil in e x c h a n g e for a f e w y e a r s of e v e r y possible e a r t h l y enjoyment. " B l a c k " magic. M a y b e t h e m o t i v a t i o n b e h i n d it all is t h e m o s t i n t e r e s t i n g part of it. F i r s t , t h e r e is t h e implicit a d m i s s i o n of t h o s e c o n c e r n e d that they are utterly unable to obtain anything they want by their o w n abilities or resources. T h e n is their s o m e w h a t ambiguous appeal t o t h e g o o d n a t u r e o f o n e class o f spirit t h a t t h o s e will c o m m a n d t h e bad n a t u r e of a n o t h e r type to w o r k for a h u m a n being d e m a n d i n g s o m e t h i n g t h a t n e i t h e r species of spirit is particularly i n t e r e s t e d in. It does s o u n d childishly like saying " D e a r G o d , please m a k e t h e D e v i l give m e s o m e t h i n g Y o u w o n ' t . " M u c h o f medieval m a g i c w a s a n a c t i v e e x p r e s s i o n o f anticlericalism and d e f i a n c e o f a u t h o r i t y . I f t h e D e v i l was a g a i n s t t h e C h u r c h and S t a t e , t h e n Hail, D e v i l , h e r e w e c o m e , m a g i c and all. M o r e o v e r , s i n c e all so-called magical p r a c t i c e s w e r e p r o h i b i t e d by t h e C h u r c h , t h e y afforded a m o s t l u x u r i o u s s e n s e of s e c r e t sin to practitioners. On t h e w h o l e , medieval m a g i c as d e s c r i b e d in its t e x t books c o n t r i b u t e d little t h a t w a s w o r t h w h i l e to o u r T r a d i t i o n . In addition, it left a legacy of conflicting and c o n f u s i n g ideas w h i c h h a v e not y e t been properly cleared up. T h e r e is o n e p a r t i c u l a r l y brilliant e x c e p t i o n w h i c h s t a n d s o u t w i t h t h e b r i g h t n e s s of a b e a c o n a g a i n s t a b a c k g r o u n d o f g l o o m . T h i s w a s the " A b r a m e l i m s y s t e m " a t t r i b u t e d to a H e b r e w s o u r c e , but far m o r e likely to h a v e c o m e from the s a m e s c h o o l w h i c h produced t h e R o s e - C r o s s and similar s y s t e m s o f practical spiritual philosophy. T h i s o u t s t a n d i n g
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w o r k , if c o r r e c t l y appreciated and applied, h a s as m u c h , if not m o r e , s i g n i f i c a n c e in o u r t i m e s as it e v e r had originally. W h a t t h e A b r e m e l i m s y s t e m a m o u n t s to is a psychological p r o c e s s o f individuation c o n d u c t e d a s a n assault o n t h e citadel o f i n n e r c o n s c i o u s n e s s . It w a s calculated to a c h i e v e a s t a t e of a w a r e n e s s b e t w e e n o n e ' s o r d i n a r y w a k i n g c o n d i t i o n s and t h e deeply d o r m a n t " h i g h e r s e l f " n o t n o r m a l l y i n c l o s e c o n t a c t w i t h m u n d a n e levels of living. If all t h e d i r e c t i o n s and p r o v i s o s w e r e faithfully fulfilled t h e n t h e s y s t e m could indeed m a k e this possible t o a r e c o g n i z a b l e d e g r e e . T h e point a r o s e , h o w e v e r , that o n l y v e r y e x c e p t i o n a l souls would be able to w o r k it, w h i c h w a s no help at all for m o r e o r d i n a r y m o r t a l s . N e v e r t h e l e s s , a f t e r c o n s i d e r a b l e adaption and m o d i f i c a t i o n , it is d e r i v a t i o n s of t h e A b r e m e l i m s y s t e m w h i c h h a v e b e c o m e i n t e g r a l parts o f m o d e r n training p r o g r a m s a m o n g m o s t r e p u t a b l y s p o n s o r e d s c h o o l s o f initiation. A m a j o r medieval addition to o u r magical T r a d i t i o n w a s t h e T a r o t pack o f o r a c u l a r c a r d s . T h e y b e c a m e t o t h e W e s t w h a t t h e I C h i n g is to t h e East, s o r t of u n i v e r s a l advisory. B a s e d on the four m a i n magical i n s t r u m e n t s , t w e n t y - t w o special S y m b o l s , and suits of f o u r c o u r t cards and ten n u m e r a l s , it c a n n o t be c o i n c i d e n c e t h a t t h e s e align with t h e T r e e o f Life and its s i g n i f i c a n c e . T h e cards, like t h e T r e e , give c o v e r a g e to all s i t u a t i o n s h u m a n s are likely to e n c o u n t e r i n t h e c o u r s e o f living. N o o n e s e e m s t o k n o w e x a c t l y h o w t h e y derived f r o m p r e v i o u s packs. S o m e i n d i c a t i o n s point t o t h e s o u t h o f F r a n c e , linking o c c u l t m o v e m e n t s o f t h a t time s u c h a s Q a b b a l i s m , C a t h a r i s m , t h e T r o u b a d o u r s , T e m p l a r s , and o t h e r s . M a n y g u e s s e s h a v e been m a d e a t t h e m e a n i n g o f t h e t e r m " T a r o t " . P e r h a p s t h e m o s t likely t h e o r y t r a c e s t o t w o H e b r e w r o o t s . T h A R — t o m a r k , g r a v e , o r d e l i n e a t e , and O T h , a t t h e time, presently, soon. In other words, something to determine or mark w h a t will happen. T h e y are c e r t a i n l y still used for t h a t p u r p o s e and t h e i r popularity is y e t i n c r e a s i n g . T h e e s o t e r i c s i g n i f i c a n c e o f the T a r o t s i s chiefly t h a t t h e y codify v e r y cleverly t h e w h o l e w a y o f w o r k i n g w i t h o u r I n n e r T r a d i t i o n . T h e y w e r e said t o h a v e been e x p r e s s l y d e s i g n e d s o t h a t , c o n c e a l e d as a s e t of cards in c o m m o n use, all t h e f u n d a m e n t a l s of o u r T r a d i t i o n could be r e c o n s t r u c t e d in any c e n t u r y by w h o e v e r realized w h a t w a s involved. It is m a y b e significant t h a t t h e T a r o t s m a d e a n a p p e a r a n c e o n t h e E u r o p e a n s c e n e a t a b o u t t h e era w h e n t h e C h u r c h w a s c o n s o l i d a t i n g its p o w e r prior t o m a k i n g its
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m a x i m u m push a g a i n s t all d i s a g r e e i n g w i t h its d o g m a s o r d i c t a t o r i a l s t a t u s . T h e y c e r t a i n l y spread a m o n g all c l a s s e s o f people q u i t e rapidly as a m e t h o d of a m u s e m e n t and g a m b l i n g , which was probably what their originators hoped. Providing the s y m b o l s simply kept c i r c u l a t i n g a r o u n d t h e g e n e r a l c o n s c i o u s n e s s o f o r d i n a r y W e s t e r n e r s , t h e i n n e r t r u t h s o f o u r T r a d i t i o n would n o t b e lost t o f u t u r e g e n e r a t i o n s . T h a t makes the modern concern with T a r o t s , mostly among o u r y o u n g e r folk, v e r y i n t e r e s t i n g indeed. W h e t h e r t h e y realize i n s t i n c t i v e l y t h a t t h e y a r e looking for and also a t t h e r o o t m e a n i n g o f t h e i r W e s t e r n I n n e r T r a d i t i o n m a y b e a little u n c e r t a i n , but w h a t really m a t t e r s i s t h e y c o n t i n u e looking. T h e m o r e t h e y look t h e m o r e t h e y will assuredly find. T h e y m a y t h i n k t h e y a r e looking for t h e i r p e r s o n a l f u t u r e s , and s o indeed t h e y are, b e c a u s e t h e f u t u r e o f t h e i r T r a d i t i o n i s t h e i r s a s well. T h e k e y s t o t h e T a r o t s d o n o t lie i n t h e i r a c t u a l design s o m u c h a s i n t h e i r f u n d a m e n t a l m e a n i n g s . D e s i g n s m a y b e a l t e r e d s o easily, but basic principles h a v e to r e m a i n i n t a c t . H o w e v e r , if a n y o n e is s e e k i n g for s e c r e t s i n detailed T a r o t d e s i g n s , t h e y had b e s t w o r k w i t h t h e W a i t e pack a n d s t u d y t h e s e carefully w i t h a good, m a g n i f y i n g glass. If an o r i g i n a l pack can be used, so m u c h t h e b e t t e r , b e c a u s e s o m e o f t h e e s s e n t i a l details did not t r a n s f e r well to newer reprints. L e a p i n g t h e odd c e n t u r y o r s o t o w a r d s o u r t i m e s w e will pause briefly to g l a n c e at an odd, old figure b e n t o v e r n e a t lists of t a b u l a t i o n s . He w o n d e r s if his long life w a s w o r t h while, and w h y his spirit friends s h o u l d h a v e left him to a cold, lonely, and a l m o s t p e n n i l e s s old age. He is D r . J o h n D e e , m a t h e m a t i c i a n , a s t r o l o g e r , i n t e l l i g e n c e a g e n t , a l c h e m i s t , and spiritualist. H o w m u c h t h e m o n e y would h a v e m e a n t t o him t h e n , w h i c h people a r e n o w paying for b o o k s a b o u t him! H i m s e l f a victim of c o n f i d e n c e tricks, p o p u l a r prejudice, and m i s f o r t u n e , w h a t had h e t o leave o u r Tradition? D e e s e e m s m o s t l y r e m e m b e r e d for o n e idea alone: t h a t i t m i g h t be possible to speak w i t h d i s c a r n a t e e n t i t i e s , providing a m u t u a l l y a c c e p t a b l e v e r b a l s y m b o l i s m w a s used. D e e h i m s e l f believed t h a t w i t h t h e aid of his m e d i u m , K e l l y , he had i n v e n t e d s u c h a code, w h i c h he n a m e d the E n o c h i a n l a n g u a g e b e c a u s e E n o c h w a s s u p p o s e d t o talk directly w i t h G o d and t h e a n g e l s . B e i n g a c r y p t o g r a p h e r , D e e w a s c o n v i n c e d t h a t i n t e l l i g e n c e o f any
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kind could be r e d u c e d to s o n i c or visual s y m b o l i s m t r a n s l a t a b l e in e q u a l t e r m s on all levels of its application. If this w e r e s o , t h e n n o n - h u m a n e n t i t i e s could codify a c o m m u n i c a t i o n , send this through a connecting channel to be received by h u m a n s w h o w o u l d t h e n decode i n t o w h a t e v e r l a n g u a g e t h e y s p o k e and g r a s p t h e significance of a h e a v e n l y m e s s a g e in t h e i r o w n speech. It is t h e principle b e h i n d t h i s idea w h i c h is of v a l u e in o u r T r a d i t i o n , r a t h e r t h a n p o o r D e e ' s a t t e m p t s a t i t i n his day. N o w a d a y s , w e a r e c o n c e r n e d w i t h finding a c o m m o n c o d e o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s t h r o u g h o u t C o s m o s itself, and t h a t s o r t o f s p e e c h i s m o r e likely t o b e c o m p r e h e n d e d b y c o m p u t e r s t h a n h u m a n b r a i n s . Y e t t h e c o n c e p t r e m a i n s t h a t w e s h o u l d b e able t o c o m m u n i c a t e w i t h o t h e r o r d e r s o f living i n t e l l i g e n c e i f o n l y w e had mutual terms of translation. Symbologists have been seeking t h i s for c e n t u r i e s w i t h o n l y partial s u c c e s s . S k i p p i n g lightly back a little a h e a d of D r . D e e , we s t r i k e a p a r t i c u l a r l y t u r b u l e n t period. P e r s e c u t i o n s f o r w i t c h c r a f t a t s o m e p o i n t s a r e m a t c h e d b y u t t e r denials o f i t a t o t h e r s , C h u r c h and d i s s e n t e r s d e t e s t i n g e a c h o t h e r ' s d o c t r i n e s , and c o n t r o v e r s y in all d i r e c t i o n s leading to clarification in n o n e . It is a c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of t h e W e s t e r n W a y t h a t i f spiritual s i t u a t i o n s b e c o m e s t a l e m a t e s unalterable by compromise, then conflict is often c h o s e n as an e s c a p e f r o m t h e i m p a s s e . T h e Civil W a r i n E n g l a n d a l t e r e d t h e a t t i t u d e s o f people t o w a r d s C h u r c h and D i s s e n t e r s alike, devaluing t h e m b o t h a s b e t r a y e r s o f beliefs t h e y tried t o p r o v e b y p e r s e c u t i o n and prejudice. B e t w e e n t h e i r b a t t l e s , t h e y t u r n e d m a n y m i n d s a w a y f r o m r e l i a n c e o n religion i n a n y f o r m and set t h e m s e e k i n g f r e s h beliefs t h a t did n o t depend o n d o g m a s o r d i c t a t o r s h i p at all. T h i s point m a r k e d t h e c o m i n g f o r w a r d o f w h a t looked like a n e w faith a c k n o w l e d g i n g n o D e i t y e x c e p t t h e e x p l o r i n g spirit w i t h i n M a n k i n d . P h i l o s o p h y w a s p r o d u c i n g s c i e n c e a s w e n o w see it. T h i s did n o t so m u c h d e n y e v e r y old G o d - F i g u r e as p r o c l a i m its " d e c l a r a t i o n o f i n d e p e n d e n c e " f r o m all o f t h e m . H u m a n s w e r e waking up to a realization that the wonderful H e a v e n t h e y h a d b e e n p r o m i s e d as a r e w a r d for s u f f e r i n g s on e a r t h w a s a v e r y u n c e r t a i n s p e c u l a t i o n t o say t h e l e a s t . N o r did i n c r e a s i n g l y i n t e l l i g e n t b e i n g s find a p r o s p e c t of e t e r n a l e u p h o r i a an attractive proposition. G i v e n a choice, they would far rather c o n t i n u e p r o g r e s s i n g q u i e t l y and e f f e c t i v e l y along t h e i r lines o f
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e v o l u t i o n . In a n y c a s e , if a p r o b l e m a t i c a l H e a v e n w a s to be filled with t h e unpleasant sectaries and sanctimonious of earth, it would s c a r c e l y b e w o r t h e n t e r i n g a n y w a y . I t w o u l d b e far b e t t e r t o find s o m e o t h e r w a y , e v e n i f i t e n d e d i n n o t h i n g . B e t t e r t o believe i n N o - G o d , r a t h e r t h a n a n y w h o ruled h u m a n lives w i t h s u c h r u t h l e s s n e s s . S o did scientific s c e p t i c i s m s p e a k a s t h e " A g e o f R e a s o n " r o s e f r o m t h e d e p t h o f o u r T r a d i t i o n t o provide p a t h w a y s for followers disgusted with "Divine dipensations." F r o m t h i s point o n , t h e T r a d i t i o n o f f e r e d t h r e e main t h r e a d s i n t o its d e p t h s . T h e S a c r e d K i n g lead e x e m p l i f i e d i n C h r i s t i a n i t y w h e t h e r A n g l o - , R o m a n , o r o t h e r w i s e . T h e I n d e p e n d e n t lead e x e m p l i f i e d b y D i s s e n t e r s and o t h e r D e i s t s . L a s t l y , t h e S c i e n t i f i c lead for t h o s e t h a t r e j e c t e d religion a l t o g e t h e r , a c c e p t i n g t h e a u t h o r i t y o f M a n a l o n e t o g o v e r n his o w n affairs i n t h e U n i v e r s e . T h e r e w e r e o t h e r w a y s i n t o t h e T r a d i t i o n , o f c o u r s e , w h i c h could b e classed a s magical o r m y s t i c a l , b u t t h e s e h a d a l w a y s b e e n v e r y specialized a p p r o a c h e s applicable t o limited e n t r a n t s o n l y . A s t i m e w e n t on, t h e l a t e s t a p p r o a c h along t h e S c i e n t i f i c line b e c a m e o f increasingly g r e a t e r significance until eventually it dominated our T r a d i t i o n a l t h e m e a l m o s t e n t i r e l y , a n d h a s n o t y e t b e e n supplanted. III. S c i e n c e h a s c o m e t o s t a y a s t h e m a j o r m a r k o f o u r c u l t u r e and civilization. Y e t it is o n l y a q u e s t i o n of t i m e b e f o r e S c i e n c e , h a v i n g t a k e n o v e r t h e a u t h o r i t y o f religion, m u s t also b e a r t h e b l a m e for h a m p e r i n g h u m a n beliefs i n t h e c o u r s e o f t h e i r e n d l e s s q u e s t i n g for L i g h t in Life. S c i e n c e is w o n d e r f u l , b u t it c a n n o t g i v e a n y o n e a soul. N o t all t h e s c i e n c e in this w o r l d will e v e r o f f e r a n y o n e i m m o r t a l identity, and t h e spirit of life in us will n o t be satisfied w i t h less. S o o n e r o r l a t e r , s c i e n c e , like religion, will m e e t t h e c o n d e m n a t i o n o f m a n k i n d b e c a u s e o f its s h o r t c o m i n g s . T h e n i t will b e t h e t u r n o f a n a l t o g e t h e r n e w t y p e o f m a g i c t o help u s s p r e a d o u r spiritual w i n g s s u f f i c i e n t l y t o r e a c h t h o s e r e a l m s o f i n n e r r e a l i t y w e h a v e a l w a y s s o u g h t for o u r t r u e s e l v e s . T h e highlights of the eighteenth century were concentrated o n t h e p h e n o m e n a t h e n called " a n i m a l m a g n e t i s m " and " s o m n a m b u l i s m " , n o w k n o w n a s h y p n o s i s a n d E S P o r simply "psi." S o called " B l a c k M a g i c a l " g r o u p s w e r e w o r k i n g up a sizable C o n t i n e n t a l t r a d e in sadistic s e x u a l s t i m u l a t i o n w i t h a t h e a t r i c a l
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S a t a n i s t i c b a c k g r o u n d . I n E n g l a n d , w e a l t h y y o u n g s t e r s called t h e m Hell-fire C l u b s and w e n t i n for g r o u p - s e x f o r t h e s h e e r s a k e o f e r o t i c a m u s e m e n t . C o m m e r c e and c u l t u r e h a d t o c o m p e t e w i t h i n t e l l e c t u a l i s m , and religion w a s r e l e g a t e d to a b a c k - s e a t position. S t a r t i n g w i t h spiritualism, t h e n i n e t e e n t h c e n t u r y p r o d u c e d probably the most extraordinary concentration of culturee x p a n s i o n t h a t h a s e v e r b e e n k n o w n o v e r t e n s u c c e s s i v e decades d u r i n g o u r w h o l e h i s t o r y . All o f a sudden, t h e i s s u e o f p e r s o n a l survival a f t e r physical d e a t h s w e p t a r o u n d t h e W e s t e r n world. B o i l e d d o w n t o basics, o r d i n a r y living h u m a n s s o u g h t c o n s c i o u s contact with ordinary "dead" ones purely on a "person to person" a r r a n g e m e n t o f individual i n t e l l i g e n c e . R e l i g i o n had really n o t h ing to do w i t h this l a t e s t d e v e l o p m e n t . It w a s an i n s t i n c t i v e r e a c h i n g o u t for r e a s s u r a n c e t h a t life could c o n t i n u e q u i t e well w i t h o u t a m a t e r i a l body t o live in. H u m a n s h a v e a l w a y s d o n e t h i s o n e w a y o r a n o t h e r , b u t this t i m e t h e y w e r e i n d i f f e r e n t t o w h a t t h e o l o g i a n s o r a n y o t h e r specialist said. D e s p i t e all t h e c o n s c i o u s , u n c o n s c i o u s , a n d o t h e r v a r i e t i e s o f fraud a n d i n a c c u r a c i e s pervading spiritualism, it h a d a t r e m e n d o u s effect throughout the W e s t e r n world. D u e to improvements in c o m m u n i c a t i o n , t h e p r a c t i c e s p r e a d t h r o u g h A m e r i c a and E u r o p e w i t h s u r p r i s i n g speed. I t w a s f u n d a m e n t a l l y simple. N o e x p e n s i v e i m p e d i m e n t a w e r e n e e d e d , j u s t a f e w child's t o y s a n d t h e f u r n i s h i n g s o f a n y o r d i n a r y r o o m . F u r t h e r m o r e i t appealed m o s t l y t o t h e middle c l a s s e s w h o h a d b e c o m e b y t h e n t h e b a c k b o n e o f W e s t e r n social s t r u c t u r e . S p i r i t u a l i s m w a s really a r e - e m e r g e n c e o f p r i e s t e s s - p r a c t i c e f r o m t h e o l d e s t t i m e s o f a m a t r i a r c h y , and its m o d e r n appeal w a s t h a t it t e n d e d to r e s t o r e at least a s e m i - r e l i g i o u s a u t h o r i t y a m o n g w o m e n . T h i s w a s t h e era d u r i n g w h i c h f e m i n i s m w a s a rising f o r c e , especially i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . I t w a s already t h r o w i n g o u t c h a l l e n g e s t o m a l e d o m i n a n c e i n m o s t fields o f h u m a n activity, and s o m a i n l y f r o m A m e r i c a i n t h e last c e n t u r y c a m e a s t r e a m o f r e l i g i o u s and o c c u l t i n f l u e n c e s p u t t i n g w o m e n i n p r o m i n e n t positions of importance within their frameworks. Later would follow M r s . Eddy's C h r i s t i a n S c i e n c e and B l a v a t s k y ' s T h e o s o p h y , w h i l e back i n B r i t i a n M r s . B o o t h declared o f h e r S a l v a t i o n A r m y " M y best men are women!" S p i r i t u a l i s m s t a r t e d up a c o n t r o v e r s y w h i c h y e t c o n t i n u e s . W a s i t g e n u i n e o r n o t ? F r a u d w a s c e r t a i n l y found, but t h e r e w e r e
60 / AN O U T L O O K ON O U R INNER WESTERN W A Y
i n s t a n c e s , o f t e n r e c o r d e d , w h i c h could s c a r c e l y b e a n y t h i n g else t h a n s o m e kind o f c o m m u n i c a t i o n w i t h u n k n o w n a r e a s o f i n n e r i n t e l l i g e n c e . O p i n i o n s split in all d i r e c t i o n s and r e m a i n divided. T h e m a j o r i t y o f initiated W e s t e r n o c c u l t i s t s w e r e a g a i n s t s p i r i t u a l i s m a s i n t e r p r e t e d b y its popular p r a c t i t i o n e r s . A c c o r d i n g t o o c c u l t i n v e s t i g a t o r s , people w e r e actually c o m m u n i c a t i n g w i t h o n l y t h e past p e r s o n a l i t y p a r t s o f t h e d e c e a s e d . A f t e r physical d e a t h , t h e s e artificial e g o s o r " p s e u d o - s e l v e s " s h o u l d n o r m a l l y b e a b s o r b e d q u i e t l y b a c k i n t o t h e d e e p e r and m o r e spiritual levels o f t h e i d e n t i t y . T h e r e i t w o u l d b e r e d u c e d t o basic e n e r g y , r e a d y f o r r e - i s s u e i n t o i n c a r n a t i o n again i f t h e soul h a d n o t e a r n e d e m a n c i p a t i o n f r o m e a r t h l y living. I n t e r f e r i n g w i t h t h i s n a t u r a l p r o c e s s h a m p e r e d t h e p r o g r e s s o f souls i n v o l v e d , a n d w a s o f n o real h e l p t o e a r t h - b a s e d e n q u i r e r s . T h e r e f o r e , i t w a s c o n s i d e r e d m o r a l l y w r o n g t o t r y d r a g g i n g a n y d e p a r t e d soul back t o w a r d e a r t h i n t h e g u i s e and c h a r a c t e r o f its past p e r s o n a l i t y . T h e t h i n g t o d o w a s t r y and lift o n e ' s o w n spiritual level f o r e v e n o n e i n s t a n t h i g h e n o u g h t o m a k e c o n t a c t w i t h t h e s o u g h t spirit b e y o n d bodily b o u n d a r i e s a l t o g e t h e r . E t h i c a l l y c o r r e c t a s this m a y be, i t aims r a t h e r a b o v e t h e heads o f a v e r a g e people. S o spiritualism a s a m o v e m e n t s t u m b l e d along f r o m o n e c e n t u r y t o t h e n e x t , t h o u g h w i t h l e s s e n i n g appeal p r o p o r t i o n a t e l y t o its o r g a n i z a t i o n a s a n e s t a b l i s h e d religion in its o w n r i g h t . D u r i n g t h e last c e n t u r y t h e r e w e r e m a n y a t t e m p t s m a d e a t forming serious occult and magical groups or " O r d e r s " functioning in full or s e m i - s e c r e c y for t h e s a k e of spiritual s e c u r i t y and n o n - i n t e r f e r e n c e from a d v e r s e o r h o s t i l e i n f l u e n c e s . M o s t o f t h e s e s t e m m e d f r o m M a s o n i c p r o c e d u r e s a n d principles, but w e r e organized with s o m e different formulae and symbology. For instance, the original modern "Druid O r d e r " traces back to S t u k e l y a n d s o m e fellow a n t i q u a r i a n s w h o w e r e i n t e r e s t e d i n c o n c e n t r a t i n g upon w h a t t h e y felt w e r e t h e r i g h t f u l m y s t e r i e s o f their own country, rather than the mythology of Solomon's T e m p l e and purely Herbraic folklore. T h e "Rosicrucian Society in E n g l a n d " s t e m m e d from s o m e s c h o l a r l y m e n feeling a n e e d t o p r e s s a h e a d w i t h philosophical r e s e a r c h a l o n g lines o f t h e eighteenth degree in Masonry. Already there were the beginnings o f s o m e C o n t i n e n t a l lodges r u n along M a s o n i c lines w h i c h w e r e a c c e p t i n g and initiating w o m e n , t h o u g h t h e s e n e v e r r e c e i v e d t h e s l i g h t e s t r e c o g n i t i o n f r o m official B r i t i s h s o u r c e s . E v e r y w h e r e ,
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ripples o f e x c i t e m e n t a n d a n t i c i p a t i o n o f a g l o r i o u s r e n a i s s a n c e w e r e r u n n i n g along t h e o c c u l t f r o n t . It is mostly in literary ways that the inheritors of our Inner T r a d i t i o n s u r p a s s e d t h e m s e l v e s during t h e last c e n t u r y . B r i l l i a n t and original b o o k s t h a t h a v e s o far b e e n u n e q u a l l e d f o r e f f e c t a p p e a r e d in a s t e a d y s t r e a m . T h e y a r e still classics of i n s i g h t and s c h o l a r s h i p , a f f o r d i n g an i n s p i r a t i o n a n d i n t e r e s t sadly lacking in s o m u c h m o d e r n m e d i o c r i t y . P e r h a p s this m a y b e b e c a u s e t h o s e really g r e a t b o o k s w e r e n e v e r w r i t t e n for m o n e y o r profit, but o u t o f p u r e love for t h e s u b j e c t a n d a c r e a t i v e c o n s c i o u s n e s s w i t h i n the writer bringing forth the w o r k as naturally as mothering a child. W e o w e a g r e a t deal t o w r i t e r s o f t h e n i n e t e e n t h c e n t u r y w h o c r y s t a l l i z e d s o m u c h o f o u r T r a d i t i o n i n t o w o r d s t h a t will s u r e l y b e w i t h u s f o r a long t i m e y e t . N o r s h o u l d w e f o r g e t t h o s e w h o spent lifetimes patiently collecting significant snippets from f o l k l o r e p r e s e r v e d i n t h e h u m b l e s t h o m e s . N o r o t h e r s w h o saved fairy tales and l e g e n d s f r o m b e i n g l o s t t o p o s t e r i t y . T h e y h a v e all e a r n e d t h e i r places i n o u r T r a d i t i o n for t h e r e m a i n d e r o f its existence. Q u i t e a n u m b e r o f o c c u l t g r o u p i n g s w e r e calling t h e m s e l v e s " H e r m e t i c S o c i e t i e s " o f o n e kind o r a n o t h e r . T h i s title r e f e r s b a c k to the " T r i s m e g i s t i c " sacred literature of early Christian times r e p u t e d to be a s u m m a t i o n of all past s e c r e t w i s d o m m o s t l y s t e m m i n g from Egyptian and G r e e k sources. H e r m e s was the offical p a t r o n of s u c h l e a r n i n g and t h e r e f o r e a s u i t a b l e f i g u r e to represent those seeking to revive ancient mysteries in modern times. T h e n we have to r e m e m b e r the three general Paths to follow i n p u r s u i t o f initiation. T h e H e r m e t i c P a t h o f i n t e l l i g e n c e o n o n e hand, t h e O r p h i c P a t h o f e m o t i o n o n t h e o t h e r , a n d t h e M y s t i c P a t h o f s h e e r spiritual a s p i r a t i o n f o r a v e r a g e i n t e l l i g e n t W e s t e r n e r s t o t a k e . T h i s c o v e r e d all t h e s t u d i o u s b r a n c h e s o f o c c u l t l o r e calling for an a c a d e m i c m i n d a n d a scientific a p p r o a c h as a rule. It also included e l a b o r a t e and c a l c u l a t e d c e r e m o n i a l w o r k i n g s o f a t h e a t r i c a l n a t u r e . T h o s e a r e especially d e a r t o t h e h e a r t s o f B r i t i s h people i n p a r t i c u l a r , and H e r m e t i c L o d g e s and T e m p l e s found natural h o m e s in that country. P r o b a b l y t h e b e s t k n o w n , due t o publicity, w a s t h e H e r m e t i c O r d e r of the Golden Dawn, from the break-up of which so many lesser groups c a m e into being. It was t h e original intention of the G D t o b e c o m e a c o r p s d'elite c o n s i s t i n g o f h i g h l y c u l t u r e d m e n
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a n d w o m e n f r o m t h e fields o f art, s c i e n c e , m e d i c i n e , l i t e r a t u r e , and possibly politics, w h o w o u l d e v e n t u a l l y b e able t o lead W e s t e r n m i n d s and souls a w a y f r o m t h e m a t e r i a l i s m and c o m m e r c i a l i s m t h r e a t e n i n g t o o v e r w h e l m o u r civilization. Its s o m e w h a t sad s t o r y s h o u l d s t a n d for a long t i m e as a c a s e - b o o k e x a m p l e o f h o w not t o t r y a n d e s t a b l i s h a s s o c i a t i o n s o f o c c u l t i s t s o n e a r t h , especially i n t h e W e s t . Y e t t h e a t t e n t i o n i t a t t r a c t e d t o i t s e l f r a t h e r t h a n invited, a r o u s e d a g r e a t deal o f i n t e r e s t i n o c c u l t s u b j e c t s a m o n g people w h o s e c o n c e r n had p r e v i o u s l y b e e n casual. B y t h e end o f t h e n i n e t e e n t h c e n t u r y t h e T r a d i t i o n o f t h e W e s t s e e m e d t o s t a n d o n t h e t o p o f a p i n n a c l e . Its c u l t u r e w a s u n c h a l l e n g e d , its e x p a n s i o n a p p e a r e d a s s u r e d a n d its c o n t i n u i t y c e r t a i n . A l m o s t all t h e p r o p h e t s w e r e p r e d i c t i n g a g r e a t and glorious Golden Age to come. Messiahs were imminent on every h a n d . M y s t e r i o u s M a s t e r s w e r e lurking a r o u n d t o lead hopeful h u m a n i t y i n t o w o n d e r f u l r e a l m s o f L o v e and L i g h t . S p i r i t s w e r e s p i n n i n g splendid s t o r i e s a b o u t t h e N e w A g e a h e a d , and expectations among esoterically minded people w e r e virtually e u p h o r i c for t h e m o s t part. O p t i m i s m and o v e r - c o n f i d e n c e a b o u n d e d . B u t w h e n D a w n finally did b r e a k , i t w a s a n y t h i n g but Golden. Nothing pushed pretentiousness harder off a higher horse t h a n t h e first W o r l d W a r o f t h e t w e n t i e t h c e n t u r y . U n s p e a k a b l y t e r r i b l e as it w a s , t h a t g h a s t l y h o l o c a u s t f o r c e d us i n t o facing a lot o f n a s t y facts a b o u t o u r o w n n a t u r e s and exploded t h o u s a n d s o f t h e o r i e s i n all d i r e c t i o n s . I n e f f e c t , t h e soul o f W e s t e r n m a n w a s s u d d e n l y stripped s t a r k l y b a r e of its insipid and futile impedim e n t a and b r o u g h t u p s h a r p l y a g a i n s t t h e spiritual r e a l i t i e s o f its sick a n d s o r r y s t a t e . Y e t i t h a d t o h a p p e n i f t h e r e w e r e t o b e h o p e s o f o u r e v e r fulfilling t h e d e s t i n y i n this world t h a t o u r T r a d i t i o n was directing us towards. We invoked our Sacred Kingship to a degree never before s u p p o s e d possible. M i l l i o n s o f y o u n g m e n s i n c e r e l y believing t h e i r sacrificed lives w o u l d s a v e t h e f u t u r e o f t h e i r families, friends, and n a t i o n s , w e r e s l a u g h t e r e d for t h e s a k e o f political a m b i t i o n s and the insatiable avarice of those controlling e c o n o m i c empires. T h e b e s t o f E u r o p e ' s m a n h o o d w e r e dying b y t h o u s a n d s e v e r y day w h i l e t h e w o r s t r e m a i n e d o n e a r t h t o r e a p r e w a r d s o f profit and p o w e r . W o m e n w e p t e v e r y w h e r e a n d filled w h a t w o m b s t h e y could in o r d e r to o f f e r t h e i r lost l o v e r s and k i n s m e n a w a y b a c k to
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t h e w o r l d again. I t w a s a t i m e o f t e r r o r , trial, and t r a g e d y for maids a n d m o t h e r s alike, y e t o n t h e w h o l e t h e y e m e r g e d f r o m i t w i t h a n e w s t a t u s and dignity t h a t had b e e n denied for m a n y generations of mankind. O u t of this unspeakably horrible holocaust came forth a clear i n n e r call for a l t e r e d o u t l o o k s and a p p r o a c h e s t o t h e spiritual s t r u c t u r e s o f o u r T r a d i t i o n . A b o v e all, w e n e e d e d d e s p e r a t e l y t o c o m e far c l o s e r t o its t r u t h - t r a c k , n e a r e r t o its n a t u r e , f r o m w h i c h w e h a d b e e n w a n d e r i n g a w a y s o stupidly. T h o u g h w e did n o t a l t o g e t h e r fail i n t h i s , o u r s u c c e s s e s w e r e t h e n t o o s m a l l and i n s i g n i f i c a n t t o a v e r t t h e a v a l a n c h e building u p again b e c a u s e t h e f o r c e s b e h i n d t h e W a r h a d n o t b e e n fully played o u t , b u t h a d o n l y p a u s e d for b r e a t h b e f o r e t h e n e x t b r e a k - o u t . W h e t h e r t h a t could h a v e b e e n d i v e r t e d o r avoided i s a n y o n e ' s g u e s s . C e r t a i n l y t h e "spiritual s c e n e " o n e a r t h l o o k e d u n p r o m i s ing. T h e r e w a s a w a v e o f p o p u l a r s p i r i t u a l i s m l a r g e l y s p o n s o r e d b y t h o s e s e e k i n g c o n s o l a t i o n for t h e i r f a m i l y l o s s e s d u r i n g t h e w a r . I f a n y t h i n g , t h e "spirit m e s s a g e s " w e r e t r i t e r , m o r e trivial, and s e n t e n t i o u s t h a n e v e r . B u t i t pleased m a n y u n h a p p y p e o p l e w i t h little e l s e i n t h e i r lives t o c h e e r t h e m . V a r i o u s o c c u l t g r o u p s w e r e s t a r t i n g u p again, s o m e o f t h e i r leaders h a v i n g r e t u r n e d f r o m s a f e hiding places w h e r e t h e y had d o u b t l e s s p r a y e d for t h e w i c k e d w o r l d and t h e r e t u r n o f n o n - r a t i o n e d t i m e s . A f e w w e r e f o r t h c o m i n g w h o had s e e n w a r a t first h a n d a n d w e r e d e s p e r a t e l y h o p i n g t o s t a r t s o m e t h i n g o n spiritual l i n e s w h i c h m i g h t h e l p avert or mitigate a n o t h e r such conflict. T h e s e , h o w e v e r , w e r e much in the minority. M o s t m e a n t to muddle ahead with what t h e y had salvaged and m a k e up a m i x t u r e - a s - b e f o r e m e d i c i n e for all c o m p l a i n t s of m i n d and s o u l alike. T h e r e were exceptions. Notably Dion Fortune, otherwise M r s . Pendry-Evans, made an outstanding attempt to introduce c o m m o n - s e n s e a n d a clear t h i n k i n g a t t i t u d e i n t o W e s t e r n o c c u l t ism. H e r a p p r o a c h w a s based o n c o n t e m p o r a r y p s y c h o l o g y and a p r o g r a m o f p r o c e d u r e w h i c h tried t o i m p r o v e o n G o l d e n D a w n m e t h o d s . T h e a c c e n t w a s v e r y m u c h o n s t r o n g l y disciplined b e h a v i o r and d e v e l o p i n g a s e n s e of individual r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o w a r d D i v i n i t y and H u m a n i t y . S h e built u p a b a c k g r o u n d o f v e r y s o u n d W e s t e r n m a g i c a l m e t h o d s , d r a w n principally f r o m Q a b a l i s t i c , C h r i s t i a n , and C e l t i c s o u r c e s . S h e left a l e g a c y o f i n t e r e s t i n g l i t e r a t u r e , s o m e o f h e r b o o k s still b e i n g classics. T h e r e i s n o d o u b t
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t h a t h e r w o r k had a m o s t s a l u t a r y i n f l u e n c e o n t h e W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n , and t h o s e b o o k s will be m e m o r i a l s to h e r for a long time. B e t w e e n t h e w a r s , a p e c u l i a r period o f c o n f u s i o n , u n c e r t a i n ty, a n d i n s t a b i l i t y m a r k e d o u t o u r m o v e m e n t s i n p s y c h o - s o c i a l dimensions. We must remember the extreme pressures of p o v e r t y , a l t e r a t i o n o f s t a n d a r d s , d r a s t i c c h a n g e s o f policies, increasing organization of a mass-media and radio-communicat i o n s , a n d all o t h e r f a c t o r s a f f e c t i n g o u r c o n d i t i o n s o f civilization. W h o k n e w w h e r e anybody was going? Industrialism was overc o m i n g o u r r e m a i n i n g r u s t i c i t y , and t h e t h r e a t o f t h e m o t o r - c a r h a d b e e n h e a r d louder e a c h w e e k - e n d i n t h e q u i e t r e t r e a t s o f o u r c o u n t r y s i d e . A v i a t i o n w a s a l r e a d y c o m m e n c i n g its c a c o p h o n y i n t h e v e r y air a b o v e o u r h e a d s . T o t a k e a T r a d i t i o n safely t h r o u g h all t h a t t u r m o i l w a s a p r o b l e m f e w k n e w h o w t o t a c k l e b e c a u s e n o b o d y had e v e r k n o w n i t b e f o r e . W e k n o w t h e r u l e o f Life i s "adapt o r die", but t h a t w a s t h e f a s t e s t r a t e o f a d a p t a t i o n y e t asked of mankind. Small w o n d e r we went s o m e w h a t crazy in t h o s e t i m e s . I n s e c u r i t y and i n s a n i t y a r e o f t e n p a r t n e r s . T h e e c h o e s o f W o r l d W a r O n e ' s e x p l o s i o n s had hardly died away than those of World W a r T w o began. Oddly enough, it b e g a n a g a i n s t a b a c k g r o u n d of peace p r o p h e c i e s p r o c l a i m e d f r o m t h e " S p i r i t W o r l d . " S c a r c e l y a spirit o r s e e r a n y w h e r e w o u l d admit w a r w a s o n l y w e e k s a w a y . H e a d l i n e s o f t h e p s y c h i c and occult p u b l i c a t i o n s w e r e full o f p e a c e p r o m i s e s . O n l y a n o c c a s i o n a l a s t r o l o g e r u t t e r e d c a u t i o u s f o r e b o d i n g s . E v e n a f t e r t h e actual o u t b r e a k of hostilities, prophecies appeared that Hitler would d r o p dead, t h e w a r w o u l d b e o v e r i n a s h o r t t i m e . A f t e r w a r d s t h e y all i n v e n t e d i n g e n i o u s e x c u s e s f o r t h e i r i n a c c u r a c i e s . " W e did n o t w i s h t o w o r r y t h e w o r l d , " o r " W e w e r e n o t a l l o w e d t o disclose d i s a s t e r s . " A n y t h i n g r a t h e r t h a n admit i n e f f e c t u a l i t y , o r s o m e t h i n g less t h a n o m n i s c i e n c e . P o o r spirits! T h e i r p r e s t i g e w a s n e v e r t h e s a m e again. O n c e m o r e t h e finest and f i t t e s t o f y o u n g S a c r e d K i n g s fell, but this time there was a very noticeable difference of massattitude from that of the First W a r among British W e s t e n e r s . T h e n , a sort of jingoistic hysteria was prevalent everywhere with w a v i n g flags, blaring b a n d s , ecclesiastical e x h o r a t i o n s t o h a t e and kill e v e r y H u n i n c r e a t i o n , and all t h e r e s t o f t h e clap-trap. I n t h e
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s e c o n d i n s t a l m e n t i t w a s q u i t e a d i f f e r e n t s t o r y . T h e r e w a s simply a grim determination to survive against the military might of a n o t h e r social s y s t e m t h r e a t e n i n g e s t a b l i s h e d c o n d i t i o n s i n B r i t a i n and allied c o u n t r i e s . O v e r a l l , t h e B r i t i s h w e r e sad, s o b e r , disillusioned, b u t u t t e r l y c o m m i t t e d t o w h a t t h e y felt w a s a lifea n d - d e a t h s t r u g g l e for n a t i o n a l survival. T h e G e r m a n s and Italians w e r e wild w i t h e x c i t e m e n t a n d t h e c e r t a i n t y o f c o n q u e s t leading t o e n o r m o u s a d v a n t a g e s o f a f t e r m a t h g a i n s . H o w e v e r divided public o p i n i o n in A m e r i c a m i g h t be, t h e guiding policy w a s t o m a k e a s m u c h m o n e y f r o m E u r o p e a n b e l l i g e r e n c e a s possible, t h e n fix t h e b e s t trading t e r m s w i t h t h e w i n n i n g side a f t e r w a r d s . W e m u s t a l w a y s r e m e m b e r t h a t all a n t a g o n i s t s i n v o l v e d w e r e part and p a r c e l o f t h e W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n u p t o t h a t point, and t h e r e f o r e w h a t e v e r t h e y t h o u g h t and did t h e n h a s a l o n g - l a s t i n g e f f e c t on us yet. O u r deeply buried past is likely to i n f l u e n c e o u r future m o r e than might be suspected. G e r m a n y had virtually w o n t h e w a r i n E u r o p e a n d f o u g h t t h e British to a stalemate, when Eastern intervention altered human h i s t o r y again. F i r s t l y , G e r m a n y l a u n c h e d a n a t t a c k a g a i n s t R u s s i a , and s e c o n d l y , t h e J a p a n e s e b e g a n h o s t i l i t y a g a i n s t A m e r i c a w h i c h f o r c e d t h a t c o u n t r y i n t o a c t i v e alliance w i t h t h e B r i t i s h as a c o n s e q u e n c e . T h i s w a s n o w a n E a s t - W e s t affair, a n d t h u s a clash b e t w e e n t w o o p p o s i t e T r a d i t i o n s o n i n n e r levels. T h a t i s s o m e t h i n g likely t o affect o u r f u t u r e o n e a r t h t o a n e x t e n t w h i c h could b e e x t r e m e l y s e r i o u s for b o t h . Especially i n v i e w o f w h a t happened, which eventually enforced an uneasy and s o m e w h a t u n r e a l a r m i s t i c e upon a n t a g o n i s t s . This, of course, was T h e Atom Bomb, the most dangerous and destructive energy ever manipulated by man on earth. P h y s i c a l l y , i t m e a n s o u r w o r l d c a n b e r e d u c e d t o r a d i o - a c t i v e ruins i n m i n u t e s , its millions o f i n h a b i t a n t s i n c i n e r a t e d i n t h e h o t t e s t hell m a n k i n d h a s e v e r m a d e for h i m s e l f . M e n t a l l y a n d spiritually, its m e r e e x i s t e n c e h a s a l t e r e d u s and t h e r e f o r e o u r T r a d i t i o n f o r e v e r o n this p o o r planet. T h e r e i s a n o t h e r a n d e v e n m o r e deadly d a n g e r t h e B o m b b r o u g h t w i t h i t w h i c h s e e m s t o b e u n r e a l i z e d e x c e p t a m o n g o c c u l t individuals. I n s o m e w a y n o t y e t realized, all o u r r a d i o a c t i v e e x p l o s i o n s , e x p e r i m e n t s , and c o n t r i v a n c e s h a v e m a d e i t p o s s i b l e f o r a n a l t o g e t h e r alien i n f l u e n c e o f w h a t could b e called " a n t i - l i f e " t o b e
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d r a w n t o us. T h i s c a n n o t b e c l a s s e d a s " E v i l " i n a n y o r d i n a r y s e n s e at all, a n d y e t its l o n g - t e r m e f f e c t s on us could p r o v e fatal in t h e w o r s t s e n s e i m a g i n a b l e . I t i s inimical t o o u r i n n e r e v o l u t i o n p u r e l y o u t o f n e c e s s i t y t o i t s e l f r a t h e r t h a n a n i m o s i t y t o us, and indeed h a s n o " f e e l i n g s " o f a n y kind w h a t e v e r a s w e w o u l d r e c o g n i z e t h e word. W h a t has happened is that our mishandling of fissionable elements opened up entirely unauthorized and automatic paths b e t w e e n our states of existence and what might be termed c o n d i t i o n s o f " c o n t r a - c o s m o s . " T h e s e s h o u l d n e v e r h a v e had s u c h direct connections with our evolutionary ecology. E x t e n t of d a m a g e a n d possibilities o f s a t i s f a c t o r y r e p a i r - p r o g a m s i s u n doubtedly engaging the attention of very esoteric experts, but w h a t h a s already b e e n d o n e c a n n o t b e r e v e r s e d . I t m u s t simply b e coped w i t h a s b e s t w e c a n . T h e o n e c e r t a i n p o i n t i s t h a t i t t h r e a t e n s all o u r T r a d i t i o n s o n e a r t h e q u a l l y , a n d t h e r e f o r e i s s o m e t h i n g w e will h a v e t o t a c k l e t o g e t h e r i f w e a r e e v e r t o succeed as an evolutionary species. S o o u r l a s t W a r e n d e d o n a v e r y n a s t y n o t e indeed. N o b o d y w o n it a n d e v e r y b o d y l o s t it. W o r s e still, it left us on a line leading t o a f u t u r e c o n f l i c t b e t w e e n t h e T r a d i t i o n s o f W e s t and E a s t , w h i c h could c r a s h o u r civilizations a n d c u l t u r e s c o m p l e t e l y . I f this i s t o b e actually avoided, a n e n o r m o u s a m o u n t o f i n n e r activity will b e n e c e s s a r y . T h e i m p o r t a n t t h i n g i s t h a t w e s h o u l d s t a y w i t h t h e spirit o f o u r o w n T r a d i t i o n s o t h a t i t p r e s e n t s n o c h a l l e n g e t o any other, yet consolidates the W a y of the W e s t within acceptable a r e a s s a t i s f a c t o r y for o u r survival, c o m p l e m e n t a r y t o o t h e r c u l t u r e s , a n d i n a m a n n e r a l t o g e t h e r n e c e s s a r y for t h e f u t u r e o f m a n k i n d p e r se. N o o t h e r w a y will p r o v e w o r k a b l e . O u t o f t h e c o n f u s i o n following t h e last W a r c a m e a tremendous upsurge of concern with magical and mystical m a t t e r s , principally a m o n g t h e y o u n g e r g e n e r a t i o n . I n t e r e s t w a s m o s t l y focused o n t h e n e e d for e x p a n d e d a w a r e n e s s , c o n s c i o u s n e s s o f o t h e r life-levels, e m p a t h y w i t h o t h e r living o r d e r s , and a c h i e v e m e n t o f i d e n t i t y a s individual s o u l s w i t h i n a C o s m i c W h o l e . A n y t h i n g and everything of occult significance was dragged out of dust-covers and e x p e r i m e n t e d with. In the t w e n t i e t h c e n t u r y , m e d i e v a l m a g i c a l circles w e r e t r a c e d again, old n a t u r e f a i t h s w e r e revived, o f t e n u n d e r t h e m i s t a k e n n a m e o f " w i t c h c r a f t " , p i l g r i m a g e s w e r e m a d e a l o n g a n c i e n t t r a c k s , t o old
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s t o n e s and s i t e s o f p r i m i t i v e w o r s h i p , and w h a t w a s j o u r n a l i s t i cally t e r m e d t h e " o c c u l t e x p l o s i o n " g o t i n t o full s w i n g w i t h s u r p r i s i n g speed. M a g i c w a s b a c k again in a p r o m i n e n t p o s i t i o n as a perfectly natural p h e n o m e n a among young W e s t e r n m e n and w o m e n . T h e y talked it, read it, d r e a m e d it, a n d t o t h e b e s t o f t h e i r l i m i t e d ability tried t o p r a c t i c e it. O n c e m o r e i t w a s p a r t o f t h e i r lives. T h e w h o l e i s s u e w a s t h a t n o w t h e y h a d f o u n d t h e s e f a s c i n a t i n g possibilities for t h e m s e l v e s , w h a t o n e a r t h w e r e t h e y s u p p o s e d t o d o w i t h a n d a b o u t t h e m ? T h a t w a s t h e vital q u e s t i o n nobody seemed very sure about.
5. Magic and the West
W e s t e r n magic mostly consists of channeling consciousness t h r o u g h specific s y m b o l s y s t e m s c o n n e c t e d t o t h e spiritual d e p t h s of o u r T r a d i t i o n . It is a t w o - w a y e x c h a n g e . O n e end is o p e r a t e d o b j e c t i v e l y i n o u r physical w o r l d b y i n c a r n a t e h u m a n s , t h e o t h e r b y d i s c a r n a t e and n o n - i n c a r n a t i o n a r y b e i n g s i n different s t a t e s o f e x i s t e n c e . T h e s e l a t t e r a r e c o n c e r n e d w i t h t h e c o n t i n u i t y and evolution of our c o m m o n Tradition maybe more than we w h o are y e t e a r t h - e m b o d i e d . L i k e u s t h e y a r e limited b y laws c o n t r o l l i n g t h e i r l i f e - s t a t e s , and h a v e t o w o r k w i t h i n w h a t e v e r f o r c e - f r a m e s apply t o t h e i r r a n g e o f a c t i v i t y . T h e y a r e n o m o r e o m n i p o t e n t than we are. Being closer to conditions of pure consciousness than o u r s , h o w e v e r , t h e y a r e in a position to m e d i a t e and m a g n i f y o u r thinking through to deeper areas of awarenss. It is those forces w h i c h flow from i n n e r levels t h a t u l t i m a t e l y affect u s o n t h e s e earthly ones. All this h a p p e n s a n y w a y , in t h e c o u r s e of e x i s t e n c e o v e r a v e r y b r o a d s p e c t r u m o f being. W e should b e c o n c e r n e d w i t h t h e specific e f f e c t s of w o r k i n g intentionally w i t h i n t h e p r o p e r c h a n n e l s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s linking u s and o u r n o n - i n c a r n a t e c o l l e a g u e s t o our W e s t e r n Inner Tradition. Behind that are r e m o t e r linkages leading t o u l t i m a t e s infinitely b e y o n d o u r h u m a n s t a t u s .
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In e a r l i e r t i m e s it w a s simple. I n i t i a t e t h e e n q u i r e r i n t o a W e s t - w o r k i n g magical g r o u p and s e e w h a t h a p p e n e d . C o n t r a r y t o s o m e c u r r e n t s u p p o s i t i o n s , s u c h initiation c o n f e r s n o p o w e r s , p r i v i l e g e s , o r a n y p a r t i c u l a r abilities o n a n y o n e . T o i n i t i a t e m e a n s to start, nothing more. An initiated person is o n e w h o has been g i v e n a spiritual push, in o r d e r to s t a r t h i m g o i n g a l o n g s o m e i n n e r line o f a c t i o n . T r a d i t i o n a l l y , s u c h a n i n i t i a t i o n a m o u n t e d t o b r i n g i n g s o m e o n e i n t o close c o n t a c t w i t h t h e s y m b o l - s y s t e m c o n c e r n e d , s u g g e s t i n g a f e w simple e x e r c i s e s w i t h t h e m , t h e n w a i t i n g t o see w h a t r e a c t i o n s followed f r o m t h e c a n d i d a t e . E v e r y t h i n g t h e n d e p e n d e d o n h o w h e o r s h e handled t h o s e s y m b o l s and e l e m e n t a r y e x e r c i s e s . W e r e n a t u r a l abilities and i n c l i n a t i o n s s h o w n ? I n v e n t i v e n e s s and i n g e n u i t y f o r t h c o m i n g ? S p e c i a l t a l e n t s displayed? M o s t i m p o r t a n t l y , w a s familiarity w i t h t h e s y m b o l s evident, a s i f t h e y a w a k e n e d m e m o r i e s f r o m p r e v i o u s incarnations or prior contact in o t h e r states of e x i s t e n c e ? Did they a r o u s e g e n u i n e i n t e r e s t and a s e n s e o f a t t a c h m e n t ? W e r e t h e i r i n n e r m e a n i n g s picked u p and g r a s p e d i n t u i t i o n a l l y o r i n s t i n c t i v e ly? It did n o t usually t a k e v e r y long for t h e c i r c l e to realize h o w t h e i r n e w c o m p a n i o n w a s shaping up. E i t h e r h e b e l o n g e d w i t h t h e W e s t for c e r t a i n and w a s w o r t h t r a i n i n g a l o n g t h o s e lines, o r had n o p a r t i c u l a r affinity w i t h t h e W e s t e r n W a y a n d w a s b e s t put u p o n s o m e o t h e r path. N o r m a l l y a b o u t a y e a r ' s a s s o c i a t i o n w o u l d decide this i s s u e q u i t e definitely. N o w a d a y s this is n o t practical in g e n e r a l , a l t h o u g h t h e principles still apply i n p a r t i c u l a r i n s t a n c e s . T h e o l d e r magical s y m b o l o g y o f t h e W e s t i s n o l o n g e r s e c r e t but available o v e r a wide r a n g e o f l i t e r a t u r e , art, and o t h e r c u l t u r a l media. W e a r e b e i n g carefully studied f r o m spiritual levels t o l e a r n w h a t w e are making of ourselves with them. Studied by w h o m or what? O u r o w n s o r t o f souls w h o h a v e a d v a n c e d b e y o n d e m b o d i e d being, and interested intelligences of other orders w h o are sympathetic or o t h e r w i s e t o o u r e v o l v e m e n t a s a species. T o t h a t e x t e n t , w e a r e like s p e c i m e n s u n d e r t e s t in a " L i f e - l a b o r a t o r y " , e x c e p t t h a t we e n g i n e e r t h e e x p e r i m e n t s i n o u r s e l v e s and a u t o m a t i c a l l y d e t e r m i n e o u r d e s t i n y a l o n g s u c h lines. T h e r e f o r e t h e r e is a v e r y s o u n d spiritual p u r p o s e b e h i n d t h e apparent shambles of our mis-named "occult explosion". T a k e a w o r l d full o f b e w i l d e r e d , baffled, u n c e r t a i n , and o t h e r w i s e u p s e t people in a s t a t e of d a n g e r o u s instability. S h o w e r d o w n a m o n g
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t h e m a n e n t i r e c a r g o o f s y m b o l s , n o t i o n s , ideas, r u m o r s , beliefs, and a s s o r t e d spiritual stimuli. O b s e r v e c a r e f u l l y t h e i r r e a c t i o n s a n d b e h a v i o r p a t t e r n s w i t h t h e s e , a n d t h e y can s o o n b e s o r t e d i n t o c a t e g o r i e s indicating t h e s o l u t i o n o f t h e i r p r o b l e m s , w h i c h t h e y m u s t t h e n find b y t h e i r o w n i n i t i a t i v e b e f o r e t h e y can a s c e n d t o higher Lifestates. T h e "magical m o v e m e n t s " of modern Westerners must be a f a s c i n a t i n g s i g h t t o i n n e r o b s e r v e r s . H o w amusing the Cosmic j o k e o f c u l t i s m r u n n i n g riot m u s t be! T h e incredible i n a n i t i e s t a k e n s o s e r i o u s l y and s e n t e n t i o u s l y w i t h a l m o s t d e s p e r a t e determination, with every pathetic inadequacy of human nature disguised a n d d i s t o r t e d i n t o s o m e t h i n g s e e m i n g i m p o r t a n t o r i n f l u e n t i a l . P o o r little p e o p l e playing m a g i c a l m a k e - b e l i e v e f o r t h e sake of their pseudo-selves. Y e t even the craziest or most curious behavior is of importance w h e n studying the consciousness of any living s p e c i e s . T h e r e a r e also o t h e r a r e a s i n t h e s a m e field t h a t s e e m a lot m o r e e n c o u r a g i n g for o u r f u t u r e p r o s p e c t s . H e r e and t h e r e r o u n d t h e W e s t e r n w o r l d a r e w e l l - b a l a n c e d and q u i e t l y c o m p e t e n t o p e r a t i v e s striving t o pick u p t h e s c a t t e r e d p i e c e s o f i n n e r s y m b o l i s m and build t h e s e i n t o s o u n d spiritual s t r u c t u r e s . T h i s i s usually a n u n s p e c t a c u l a r a n d u n o s t e n t a t i o u s b u s i n e s s p u r s u e d p r i v a t e l y . N o t for t h e s h e e r s a k e o f s e c r e c y a l o n e , b u t for s e v e r a l q u i t e c o m m o n - s e n s e r e a s o n s . F i r s t , b e c a u s e s u c h w o r k h a s n o appeal w h a t e v e r for t h o s e s e e k i n g o n l y p e r s o n a l a g g r a n d i s e m e n t s and a d v a n t a g e s , t h r i l l s a n d t h e a t r i c s . S e c o n d l y b e c a u s e careful a n d p a i n s t a k i n g w o r k o f t h i s n a t u r e n e e d s s u i t a b l y s e c u r e and c o n f i d e n t i a l c o n d i t i o n s for its s u c c e s s f u l pursuit. T h i r d l y b e c a u s e t h e r e i s n o t h i n g special t o publish o r publicize w h i c h could claim m u c h a t t e n t i o n f r o m a v e r a g e r e a d e r s . B l u n t l y , t h e r e w o u l d b e n o m o n e y w o r t h h a v i n g for p r o m o t e r s , p u b l i s h e r s , and p r o d u c e r s o f l i t e r a r y , t h e a t r i c a l , a n d o t h e r f o r m s o f e n t e r tainment. For those reasons alone, modern magi of any integrity a r e unlikely t o b e d i s t u r b e d g r e a t l y b y g l a m o r - g r a b b e r s . W h a t normal viewers would be interested to watch quite o r d i n a r y s e e m i n g m e n and w o m e n reading, w r i t i n g , s i t t i n g still, w a l k i n g t h e c o u n t r y s i d e , e x c h a n g i n g ideas, o c c u p i e d w i t h handic r a f t s , and visiting e a c h o t h e r ' s h o m e s ? S o m u c h m a g i c i s accomplished under such commonplace circumstances. Even on c e r e m o n i a l l y c l o t h e d and c o n v e n e d o c c a s i o n s , t h e a t t e n t i o n o f a n o u t s i d e a u d i e n c e w o u l d s o o n w a n d e r a w a y f r o m lack o f s e n s u a l o r
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suggestive stimuli. T h e r e are frequently fewer elements of e n t e r t a i n m e n t in magical p r o c e e d i n g s t h a n afforded by a c h e s s t o u r n a m e n t . A c t i o n is all on t h e inside, t a k i n g place a l o n g lines t h a t c a n n o t b e followed e x c e p t b y t h o s e a c c u s t o m e d t o " w o r k i n g live" within those arcane areas. W h a t a t t r a c t s m o s t people t o a n y t h i n g t h e y m i g h t c o n s i d e r " m a g i c " a n y w a y ? B a s i c a l l y , a s e a r c h for s e l f - f u l f i l m e n t t h r o u g h w h a t t h e y h o p e will supply a s h o r t - c u t t o all t h e y ask f o r . D e e p d o w n , t h e y k n o w t h e y a r e deficient o f s o m u c h n e e d e d t o p u s h t h e m a l o n g t h e P a t h o f P e r f e c t i o n . O n m o r e m u n d a n e levels t h e y a r e c o n s c i o u s o f social a n d o t h e r s h o r t a g e s d e m a n d i n g c o m p e n s a tion. M a y b e t h e y a r e l o o k i n g f o r m o n e y , friends, p o w e r , position, o r w h a t e v e r t h e y t h i n k m i g h t provide t h e m w i t h a fulfilling selfs t a t e i n t h i s w o r l d . T h e y also feel t h a t , o w i n g t o c i r c u m s t a n c e s and t h e i r o w n i n a d e q u a c i e s , t h e y a r e m o s t unlikely t o g e t v e r y far b y t h e i r o w n e f f o r t s and r e s o u r c e s . T h e y a r e a s k i n g for m i r a c l e s . W h a t t h e y a r e really e x p r e s s i n g is a f u n d a m e n t a l u r g e from within to transform themselves. T h a t i s indeed t h e f i n e s t f u n c t i o n o f m a g i c w i t h i n t h e Western Tradition, a means of self-transformation into somet h i n g c l o s e r t o t h e o r i g i n a l C o s m i c design b e h i n d e a c h individual e n t i t y . O n c e t h a t vital point i s s u f f i c i e n t l y g r a s p e d a n d a s s i m i lated, e v e r y t h i n g else will fit i n t o p e r s p e c t i v e p r o p e r l y . All t h e odd p r a c t i c e s , principles, and p e c u l i a r i t i e s o f h u m a n b e h a v i o r i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h w h a t people believe m a g i c i s will b e s e e n a s i n t e g r a t i v e i t e m s o f a n e n t i r e spiritual s c h e m e b o u n d u p w i t h o u r e t e r n a l s t r u g g l e f o r survival a n d e v o l v e m e n t . B e f o r e w e s t a r t l o o k i n g for t h e " w h a t s " o f m a g i c , i t i s e s s e n t i a l t o find t h e alli m p o r t a n t Why w i t h i n t h e soul o f t h e s e e k e r . E v e r y o n e s h o u l d ask himself the blunt question: " W h a t is so unsatisfactory with my o w n S e l f - s t a t e t h a t I a m a s k i n g a magical m i r a c l e t o c h a n g e i t ? " O r m a y b e t h e q u e r y could b e p h r a s e d " W h y i s D i v i n i t y w i t h i n m e s o dissatisfied w i t h w h a t I h a v e m a d e o f m y s e l f s o f a r ? " T h e fact t h a t s o m e o n e i s a t t r a c t e d t o m a g i c a t all a u t o matically p o i n t s t o t h e i r i n n e r a w a r e n e s s o f i n a d e q u a c y and a realization of need for compensative action assisted by higher than human orders of creative consciousness. T h e r e is nothing w r o n g w i t h t h i s w h a t e v e r , providing it is r e c o g n i z e d for w h a t it is—a c r y f o r help from C o s m o s Itself. W h e r e m o s t people d o g o w r o n g , h o w e v e r , i s i n d e m a n d i n g all s o r t s o f i r r e s p o n s i b l e a n d
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u t t e r l y impossible a n s w e r s t o t h e i r i m p o r t u n i t i e s . T h e y a r e muddling m a g i c w i t h m a d n e s s , and u n t i l t h e y a r e able t o d i s t i n g u i s h o n e from t h e o t h e r t h e y a r e unlikely t o s t a y v e r y s a n e o r b a l a n c e d o n i n n e r levels o f life. A g a i n and again t h e y h a v e t o b e t a u g h t h o w t o stabilize t h e m s e l v e s spiritually. S y s t e m s o f W e s t e r n m a g i c a r e full o f t h e n e e d e d f o r m u l a e , b u t t h e y t a k e a g r e a t deal o f d e v o t e d w o r k and t i m e t o p r a c t i c e . F e w people l o o k i n g for m a g i c a l m a r v e l s a r e p r e p a r e d t o sacrifice s o m u c h o f t h e m s e l v e s i n s u c h p a t i e n t y e t indispensible p r e p a r a t i o n s for h i g h e r s t a n d a r d s o f spiritual life. S o m a n y a r e r u n n i n g r i n g s a r o u n d t h e m s e l v e s e x p e c t i n g i n s t a n t initiation i n t o e x c l u s i v e circles o f s e l f - i m p o r t a n c e . L a t e r i n life t h e y w o n d e r w h y t h e y feel s o e x h a u s t e d and f r u s t r a t e d . H a d t h e y s t a r t e d seeking" m o r e s e n s i b l y in t h e first place, t h e y could h a v e told a n o t h e r tale altogether. T h e o b v i o u s place t o b e g i n a n y t h i n g i s w i t h its first principles. I n W e s t e r n e s o t e r i c i s m , this m e a n s its basic s y m b o l o g i e s and t h e i r n a t u r a l affinities w i t h t h e T r i p l e Pillars o f Life. T h r o u g h t h e m , a p r o s p e c t i v e i n v e s t i g a t o r m u s t d i s c o v e r his o w n r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h his " R e a l S e l f " o r I n m o s t I d e n t i t y . I n o r d e r t o d o this e f f e c t i v e l y , h e h a s t o select t h e m o s t s u i t a b l e set o f s y m b o l s t o m a t c h his p a r t i c u l a r s t a t e o f individuation. N o t o n l y m u s t h e feel c e r t a i n t h a t h e positively belongs t o and w i t h t h e W e s t e r n I n n e r W a y , b u t h e s h o u l d feel s u r e o f w h i c h special s y s t e m w i t h i n i t h e has t o follow f o r a t least t h e r e s t o f his p r e s e n t i n c a r n a t i o n . T h a t i s t o say, he m u s t h a v e w h a t w a s o n c e called a " s e n s e of v o c a t i o n " , a c o n f i d e n t c o n v i c t i o n t h a t he is indeed c h o o s i n g his p r o p e r p a t h w a y t h r o u g h life. S e l d o m a n easy r e a l i z a t i o n t o r e a c h o n l o w e r levels, o n c e i t c o m e s t h r o u g h clearly, t h e r e i s n o d e n y i n g its overriding authority over other considerations. A t o n e t i m e , a s y s t e m a t i c e x p o s u r e t o basic t e s t s y m b o l s and s o m e helpful w o r k i n g e x p e r i e n c e w i t h t h e m could h a v e b e e n effectively carried out in any competent T e m p l e or Lodge. N o w it is m o r e a q u e s t i o n of individual initiative in e x p l o r i n g t h o s e lines f o r o n e s e l f and d e t e r m i n i n g b y s e l f - e x a m i n a t i o n w h a t r e a c t i o n s h a v e h a p p e n e d . F o r i n s t a n c e , i t i s b e s t t o begin w i t h t h e W e s t e r n m a g i c a l basics o f t h e f o u r Life E l e m e n t s , F i r e , Air, W a t e r , and E a r t h , linked b y t h e u n i q u e E l e m e n t o f T r u t h . T h e n bring i n t h e e q u i v a l e n t s y m b o l s o f R o d , S w o r d , C u p , S h i e l d , and C o r d . W i t h t h e " I n s t r u m e n t s " , it is well to u s e actual physical e m b l e m s so as
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t o gain a n i m p r e s s i o n o f solidity and a c t u a l i t y . W h a t t h e y really represent, of course, are the "Inner tools" with which consciousn e s s i t s e l f is dealt and p r o c e s s e d in o u r i n i m i t a b l e W e s t e r n style. R e a d a b o u t , m a k e up, h a n d l e , and m e d i t a t e u p o n t h e s e fundamental symbols. Devise small rituals, or use existing ones f r o m o t h e r s o u r c e s , and g e n e r a l l y n o t e i n w a r d i m p r e s s i o n s i n c l i n a t i o n s , and any r e l e v a n t p s y c h o l o g i c a l findings. I f t h e r e a r e s i g n s o f p o s i t i v e and p r o g r e s s i v e r e a c t i o n s , t h e n f u r t h e r i n v e s t i g a t i o n is called for. If, c o n v e r s e l y , t h e magical s y m b o l s s t a y dead in t h e h a n d s o f a n y o n e , t h e y a r e b e s t r e l i n q u i s h e d a l t o g e t h e r and d i f f e r e n t inlets s o u g h t e l s e w h e r e . A b o u t a y e a r o f e x p e r i m e n t w i t h t h e s e e l e m e n t a l s y m b o l s should be Sufficient to m a k e a definite decision possible. As soon, as enough empathy with the symbols has been e x p e r i e n c e d to m a k e an affinity w i t h W e s t e r n m a g i c c e r t a i n , it is n e x t w i s e t o d i s c o v e r w h i c h , i f any, special W e s t e r n s y m b o l i c s y s t e m o f f e r s m a x i m u m spiritual scope f o r t h e individual. T h i s will d e p e n d l a r g e l y o n w h i c h o f t h e t h r e e m a j o r P a t h w a y s applies p a r t i c u l a r l y to t h e p e r s o n in q u e s t i o n . A b r o a d s e l e c t i o n of s y m b o l i c s y s t e m s could b e classified s o : 1.
HERMETIC (Intellectual)
Q a b b a l a h a n d its r i t u a l i s m , Rosicrucianism, Masonry, Illuminism, etc.
2.
MYSTIC (Aspirational)
T h e Grail workings, AbraMelim, Transcendentalism, etc.
3.
ORPHIC (Emotional)
"Nature Magic", Dance and D r a m a d e v o t i o n s , Animism, etc.
I n p o i n t o f fact, m o d e r n W e s t e r n m a g i c a l p r a c t i c e t e n d s t o e m p l o y a blended m i x t u r e f r o m all t h e s e speciality s y s t e m s , but it i s a l w a y s b e s t t o realize o n e ' s o w n special link w i t h t h e T r a d i t i o n . T h e s i m p l e s t t h i n g t o d o t h e s e days i s r e a d u p o n e a c h topic and t r y t o a s s e s s t h e i n n e r appeal i n v o k e d t h e r e b y . T h e n t a k e o r w o r k o u t a n e x e r c i s e based o n e a c h s y s t e m , a n d u n d e r g o i t a s a n a c t u a l e x p e r i e n c e , m a k i n g n o t e s or o b s e r v a t i o n a c c o r d i n g l y . A f e w
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m o n t h s should cover the outlines of those systems in a very g e n e r a l w a y , and g i v e g o o d p o s i t i v e ideas o f p e r s o n a l p r e d e l i c t i o n s . F o r i n s t a n c e , a s e n s i b l e w o r k p r o g r a m could be patt e r e n e d s o m e t h i n g like t h i s . 1 . R e a d u p o n Q a b b a l a h , e n o u g h t o gain s o m e k n o w l e d g e o f t h e T r e e o f L i f e . M a k e a fair sized d r a w i n g o f t h i s w i t h details. C o n t e m p l a t e diagram p i n n e d t o wall a f e w f e e t a w a y b y t h e light o f t h r e e c a n d l e s placed t o l i n e u p w i t h pillars o f T r e e . R e c i t e aloud a n i n v o c a t i o n t o t h e A r c h a n g e l s o r similar piece, b u r n i n g frankincense or some other incense. It is important not to attempt a n a l y s i s o f r e a c t i o n s a t t h e a c t u a l t i m e o f doing this w o r k . W a i t until after a night's sleep, and t h e n try a conscientious r e s u m e and assessment of effects. 2. Read literature on t h e Grail legend. Realize that no spiritual g a i n s can e v e r b e m a d e w i t h o u t c o r r e s p o n d i n g sacrifices o n o t h e r levels. F a c e t h i s i s s u e inside t h e s e l f and ask t h e " G r a i l Q u e s t i o n " : " A m I p r e p a r e d t o l o s e t h e w h o l e w o r l d for t h e gain o f a s o u l ? " Do n o t c o m e to a h a s t y decision, b u t let it d a w n g r a d u a l l y as a conviction of one's own true inner character. Realize there is n o t h i n g to gain and e v e r y t h i n g to lose by m a k i n g a false assessment. Attempting to "win the G r a i l " by any deliberate f a l s e h o o d r e s u l t s i n a u t o m a t i c loss o f i t indefinitely. T h i s e x e r c i s e c a n be m a d e m o r e realistic w i t h t h e aid of a small " G r a i l c h a p e l " in t h e s h a p e of a c h a l i c e - l i k e v e s s e l c o n t a i n i n g a r e d glass l a m p w i t h floating w i c k j u s t visible a b o v e t h e e d g e o f t h e c u p w h e n sitting o r k n e e l i n g b e f o r e it. F o r b e t t e r e f f e c t t h e r e s h o u l d be a g a u z e veil h a n g i n g b e f o r e t h e s y m b o l so t h a t it is s e e n in a s o m e w h a t h a z y m a n n e r , p r e f e r a b l y a g a i n s t a gold b a c k g r o u n d . D e v o t i o n a l m u s i c m a y b e u s e d v e r y q u i e t l y . T h e i m p o r t a n t t h i n g w i t h this e x e r c i s e is t h a t p r a y e r s and i n v o c a t i o n s s h o u l d be i m p r o m p t u a n d d i r e c t e d to the Divinity within oneself. A s s e s s m e n t s should be made periodically, s a y o n c e w e e k l y . 3 . R e a d u p o n m a g i c r e l a t e d w i t h n a t u r e . M a k e trips i n t o c o u n t r y s i d e , " l o o k i n g for G o d " i n t r e e s , s t o n e s , e l e m e n t s , and e v e r y w h e r e . Sing and dance invocations. T r y to contact consciousness in other creatures. Go on expeditions to ancient sacred s i t e s and m e d i t a t e t h e r e , t o u c h i n g s t o n e s and t r y i n g t o pick u p inner impressions. Record reaction as inclination inspires. S i n c e t h e w h o l e aim o f t h e s e t e s t e x p e r i m e n t s i s t o d i s c o v e r One's o w n n a t u r a l n i c h e i n W e s t e r n m a g i c o r o t h e r w i s e , t h e m o s t
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practical s u m m a r y of them is probably an old-fashioned "quiz" demanding honest answers to very pertinent, probing questions. I n t h e old days t h i s w o u l d h a v e b e e n d o n e u n d e r i m p r e s s i v e L o d g e conditions among robed companions before a solemn yet symp a t h e t i c p a n e l o f s e n i o r s . R e p l i e s had t o b e s p o n t a n e o u s , s u c c i n c t , and clearly m a d e . N o w a d a y s an i n t e l l i g e n t i n i t i a t e is e x p e c t e d to s h o w a n ability for doing s u c h g r o u n d w o r k o u t o f his o w n i m a g i n a t i o n a n d i n v e n t i v e n e s s . I t should n o t b e b e y o n d t h e scope o f a n a v e r a g e m o d e r n m i n d t o c o n s t r u c t a n e l e m e n t a r y quizp a t t e r n s o m e t h i n g o n t h e s e lines: 1. H a s this p r a c t i c e helped me at all? If s o , h o w ? 2 . W h a t w a s e a s i e s t a b o u t it? 3 . W h a t w a s m o s t difficult? 4 . D o I w a n t t o develop i t f u r t h e r ? 5 . H a s i t m a d e m y life m o r e purposeful? I f s o , ' h o w ? 6. W o u l d I like to s h a r e this w i t h o t h e r s ? 7 . W o u l d I e n c o u r a g e o t h e r s t o try t h i s ? W h y ? 8. Do I look forward to the next occasion? H o w much? 9. H o w m u c h w o u l d I m i s s t h e p r a c t i c e if u n a b l e to do it? 1 0 . D i d I feel a w a r e i n t h e s l i g h t e s t o f any " i n v i s i b l e p r e s e n c e " ? I f s o , o n w h i c h o c c a s i o n s and w h e r e m o s t l y ? O n c e it seems entirely certain which symbol system of the W e s t is g o i n g to be followed, it m u s t be positively adopted and put i n t o r e g u l a r p r a c t i c e . T h i s m e a n s a c c e p t i n g its M a s t e r - s y m b o l as a c e n t r a l c o n c e p t and r e l a t i n g t h e a s s o c i a t e d c o n c e p t s a r o u n d it, f o r m i n g a c h a i n o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s capable o f s u p p o r t i n g t h e i n n e r living o f its i n i t i a t e s . Q a b b a l i s t s claim w i t h s o m e j u s t i f i c a t i o n t o h a v e d o n e e x a c t l y this w i t h t h e T r e e o f Life M a s t e r - s y m b o l . T h e s a m e principles could b e applied t o t h e C h r i s t i a n C r o s s , t h e R o s e C r o s s , t h e C o s m i c C r o s s , t h e M a s o n i c S q u a r e and C o m p a s s , D r u i d i c T r i p l e R a y , S o l a r S t o n e C i r c l e , t h e G r a i l H a l l o w s , and s o f o r t h . If, a s o f t e n h a p p e n s , s y m p a t h i e s h a v e b e e n d i s c o v e r e d for m o r e than one system, then the M a s t e r - s y m b o l of the most d o m i n a n t s h o u l d b e adopted c e n t r a l l y , and links w i t h t h e o t h e r s fitted i n w h e r e t h e s e n a t u r a l l y join u p w i t h c o n n e c t i o n s t o t h e C o s m i c chain constructed. W h a t is of great importance is that when the central concept h a s b e e n c h o s e n a n d a f f i r m e d , o n l y its n a t u r a l a n d p r o p e r r e l a t i v e s y m b o l o g y will b e used i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e c o n s c i o u s c o s m o s
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c o n s t r u c t e d a r o u n d it. I n d i s c r i m i n a t e m i x i n g o f t h e s y s t e m s m o r e o r less h a p h a z a r d l y will d o n o t h i n g e x c e p t n e u t r a l i z e t h e m all for w h o e v e r is foolish e n o u g h to m a k e s u c h a m i s t a k e . A s y s t e m is a s y s t e m a n d s h o u l d b e t r e a t e d a s such. A n y o n e supposing t h e y will b e c o m e a w o n d e r f u l W e s t e r n o c c u l t i s t or m a g i c i a n by a t t e n d i n g a Q a b b a l i s t m e e t i n g on S u n d a y , a R o s i c r u c i a n o n e on M o n d a y , a D r u i d g a t h e r i n g o n T u e s d a y , and o t h e r s o n d i f f e r e n t days i s simply w a s t i n g a n i n c a r n a t i o n o n a r c a n e a m u s e m e n t s . F i r s t and f o r e m o s t , i t i s n e c e s s a r y t o b e c r y s t a l c l e a r j u s t w h a t and w h i c h system should be used to initiate one's own true Identity. W h e n , and o n l y w h e n , t h i s is s a t i s f a c t o r i l y s e t up and w o r k i n g inside oneself, it is allowable to develop confraternal linkages with o t h e r systems in ordinary ways. T h e s e t t i n g u p o f a c e n t r a l S y m b o l and a r r a n g i n g its a s s o c i a t e d c o r r e s p o n d e n c e s a r o u n d it is a m a j o r o p e r a t i o n of W e s t e r n m a g i c . A l t h o u g h t h i s h a s already b e e n a c c o m p l i s h e d i n o u r c o l l e c t i v e c o n s c i o u s n e s s , e v e r y single i n i t i a t e has t o w o r k o u t s u c h a s c h e m e for h i m s e l f , t h e r e b y adding c o n s t a n t depth t o t h e significance of our Tradition. Figuratively, the action is symbolized by t h e m a g i c i a n of popular b e l i e f t r a c i n g a c h a l k circle r o u n d h i m s e l f and t h e n i n v o k i n g " s p i r i t s " f r o m its c e n t e r . Literally, it means constructing a cosmos of consciousness around o n e ' s o w n c e n t r a l n u c l e u s o f identity, t h e n f o r m i n g ideas o u t o f t h a t cyclic force w h i c h a r e e x p r e s s i v e o f spiritual r e l a t i o n s h i p s w i t h life on all levels. I f w e l o o k again a t o u r c o n v e n t i o n a l m a g i c i a n i n his circle w e shall s e e t h a t he h a s m a d e a kind of p s y c h i c citadel. O u t s i d e t h e circle a r e all t h e h o s t i l e e l e m e n t s o f e x i s t e n c e , o n c e called " d e m o n s " , w h i l e in it t h e m a g u s a c t s as d i r e c t e d by a d v i s o r y " a n g e l s " w h o s h o w h i m h o w t o c o n t r o l and o r d e r t h o s e d e m o n s s o t h a t t h e y will w o r k for his b e n e f i t . T h e circle itself c o n s i s t s o f " D i v i n e N a m e s " , o r s y m b o l s o f directive c o n t r o l w h i c h h a v e t o b e r e c o g n i z e d and r e a c t e d w i t h b y magician, a n g e l s and d e m o n s alike. T h i s fairy-tale presentation illustrated a profound truth of W e s t e r n m a g i c for t h o s e reading i t i n t h e r i g h t light. T o s e e t h e p i c t u r e p r o p e r l y , w e h a v e t o f o r g e t its e x t e r n a l a b s u r d i t i e s and find its i n t e r n a l a c c u r a c i e s . T h e s e s h o w a h u m a n being i n t e n t i o n a l l y s u r r o u n d i n g h i m s e l f w i t h a p r o t e c t i v e perim e t e r o f faith i n o r d e r t o m a k e purely p e r s o n a l c o n t a c t s and
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a d j u s t m e n t s w i t h e n v i r o n m e n t a l living. T h e h o p e d - f o r i s s u e o f t h i s t r u l y m a g i c a l a d v e n t u r e i s t h e a d v a n c e m e n t o f individuality i n t h e m o s t f a v o r a b l e w a y possible. Heaven knows we need protection enough just for staying alive in this w o r l d , a g a i n s t all t h a t is inimical to h u m a n life and well being on e v e r y level. T h e r e is little u s e being physically and mentally protected while we remain vulnerable to adverse i n f l u e n c e s a f f e c t i n g o u r spiritual s t r u c t u r e s . T h e w o r l d i n h a b i t e d b y a v e r a g e h u m a n s c a n b e a n a b s o l u t e hell o f s u f f e r i n g f o r spiritually s e n s i t i v e individuals u n a b l e t o c o n s t r u c t s o m e f o r m o f p r o t e c t i o n for t h e i r i n n e r i d e n t i t i e s . M o s t o f u s l e a r n fairly fast h o w t o build u p a s o r t o f " s k i n " a r o u n d o u r s e c r e t s e l v e s w h i c h b e c o m e s a d e f e n s i v e b a r r i e r a g a i n s t e x t e r n a l s o u r c e s o f injury. I t is not so m u c h that energies entering the self are injurious in t h e m s e l v e s , a s t h a t individual r e a c t i o n s w i t h t h e m m a y c a u s e d a m a g e t o t h e soul c o n c e r n e d . W e h u r t o u r s e l v e s inside o u r s e l v e s far m o r e t h a n w e a r e h u r t b y i n t e n t i o n a l ill-will f r o m o t h e r s . S o w e t r y and s o f t e n t h e b l o w s o f Life b y i n s u l a t i n g o u r s e l v e s f r o m its impacts—if we can. We do this by surrounding our innermost sense of identity and i n t e n t i o n w i t h a s e r i e s o f ideas o n w h i c h w e rely for p r e s e r v a t i o n o f self-position. I n t h e c a s e o f a dedicated m a t e r i a l i s t , t h o s e ideas could b e " M y M o n e y , m y S o c i a l S t a t u s , m y M a n s i o n , m y C a r s , m y A s s e t s " a n d s o f o r t h . T h a t s o r t o f circle w o u l d b e u s e l e s s f o r a n y o n e widely e n o u g h a w a r e t h a t its s t r u c t u r e disappears i m m e d i a t e l y a t physical d e a t h and h a s n o r e a l i t y past t h a t fatal point. A n y i n t e l l i g e n t magician s e e k s a far m o r e solid spiritual s u p p o r t . N o t h i n g less t h a n ideas r e l a t i n g t o his o w n i m m o r t a l and u l t i m a t e s t a t e o f u n i o n w i t h I n f i n i t e I d e n t i t y will s e r v e a n initiated magician o f t h e W e s t e r n W a y . I f a c o n s e c r a t e d circle can b e c o n s t r u c t e d from t h o s e c o n c e p t s , n o t h i n g t h a t life o r d e a t h can do will e v e r b r e a k it. T h a t is what the symbolism of "Divine N a m e s " written a r o u n d a c o n v e n t i o n a l m a g i c a l circle m e a n s . As c h a l k - i n s c r i b e d l e t t e r s t h e y h a v e n o special p o w e r s w h a t e v e r . A s definite beliefs held in firm faith by w h o e v e r s e t s t h e m up c o n s c i o u s l y as affirmations of existence, they have power to maintain the i n t e g r i t y o f t h a t individual a g a i n s t all a d v e r s i t i e s . T h e t r u e significance of symbolic "Divine Names", therefore, is that they a r e s i n c e r e beliefs held b y t h e m a g i c i a n r e g a r d i n g his o w n
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p o t e n t i a l s a s p a r t o f a n infinitely g r e a t e r P o w e r . I t d o e s n o t m e a n t h a t h e b e l i e v e s his o r d i n a r y h u m a n p e r s o n a l i t y i s a n y t h i n g o t h e r t h a n its limited being, o r h a s a n y capabilities b e y o n d t h a t c o n d i t i o n . I t m e a n s t h a t h e i s c o n s c i o u s l y a w a r e o f his i n h e r e n t spiritual possibilities and s e l f - s i g n i f i c a n c e , s o h e h a s s u r r o u n d e d himself with an appropriate symbology expressing such inner knowledge. B y itself, t h i s p r o t e c t i v e p e r i m e t e r i s n o t e n o u g h . T h e r e i s n o t h i n g to be gained by living as a h u m a n soul in splendid i s o l a t i o n f r o m e v e r y t h i n g else i n e x i s t e n c e e x c e p t o n e ' s o w n inferior. S o m e t h i n g has to be obtained from o t h e r sources which will m a k e t h a t i n t e r i o r w o r t h living in. T h i s m e a n s e x c h a n g e o f energies b e t w e e n oneself and those sources. T h e most sensible w a y o f w o r k i n g t h i s i s t h r o u g h w h a t a m o u n t s t o filters o r s c r e e n s w h i c h o n l y pass f a v o r a b l e f r e q u e n c i e s b e t w e e n o u r e x t e r n a l a n d i n t e r n a l c o n d i t i o n s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s , e x c l u d i n g i n j u r i o u s influe n c e s s o f a r a s practically possible. T h e s e n e e d t o b e s o d e s i g n e d t h a t t h e y will c o n v e r t o t h e r w i s e h a r m f u l e n e r g i e s i n t o beneficial ones. M o r e o v e r , this effect should be two-way, so that not only i n c o m i n g e n e r g i e s a r e a l t e r e d for t h e b e t t e r , b u t Outgoing o n e s w h i c h m i g h t b e injurious t o o t h e r s a r e also modified a c c o r d i n g l y . T h e r e is no use protecting ourselves against outsiders if we are not prepared to protect them from our own hurtful emissions. T h e s e specializing " s c r e e n - f i l t e r " c o n s t r u c t i o n s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s a r e usually s y m b o l i z e d i n W e s t e r n circles b y p e r i p h e r a l c r o s s e s . T h o s e signify t h e m e e t i n g p o i n t s o f t h r e e g r e a t C i r c l e s t h e o r e t i c a l l y t r a c e d a r o u n d t h e magician h o r i z o n t a l l y , vertically, and laterally, t o s h o w t h e i n t e r l o c k i n g o f T i m e , S p a c e , and E v e n t c o m p o n e n t s o f C o s m o s . T h e s e nodal p o i n t s o f a m a g i c a l selfs y s t e m a r e o f t e n personified a s A r c h a n g e l s , t h o u g h t h e y could, i n fact, b e r e p r e s e n t e d b y a n y o t h e r suitable c o n c e p t fitting i n w i t h t h e g e n e r a l plan o f w h a t e v e r f r a m e w o r k w a s s e t up. S i n c e t h e " A r c h a n g e l " a r r a n g e m e n t h a s b e e n dealt w i t h i n detail e x h a u s t ively e l s e w h e r e , t h e r e s e e m s n o n e e d t o l a b o r i t all o v e r again h e r e . W h a t m a t t e r s m o s t i s p o i n t i n g o u t t h e principles involved. H e r e , w e a r e c o n s i d e r i n g t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f a m a g i c a l self-circle w h i c h i n h i b i t s i l l - i n t e n t i o n e d i n f l u e n c e s b e c a u s e o f its i n h e r e n t n a t u r e , y e t i s i n t e r s e c t e d b y special c o n t r i v a n c e s p e r m i t t i n g t h e t w o - w a y p a s s a g e o f helpful p o w e r s . The
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a d a p t o r s in t h e f o r m of h u m a n o i d A r c h a n g e l - f i g u r e s b e c a u s e it is easiest for h u m a n s to relate with something that resembles their o w n s p e c i e s . T o b e g i n w i t h , t h e y a r e built i n t h e s a m e w a y t h a t a child i n v e n t s invisible c o m p a n i o n s ; i.e. by i n t e l l i g e n t i m a g i n a t i o n and a r t i s t i c skill. S o first o f a l l t h e y will o n l y p r o c e s s t h e consciousness of their creators in relation with w h a t e v e r they r e p r e s e n t a s c o n c e p t s . T h a t i n i t s e l f i s useful e n o u g h , b u t w i t h c o n t i n u e d p r a c t i c e t h e y will pick u p a n d adapt e x t e r n a l e n e r g i e s from other sources of consciousness so that these are reduced to s u i t a b l e t e r m s for t h e i r c o n s t r u c t o r t o deal w i t h f a v o r a b l y . C o n s e q u e n t l y life b e c o m e s m u c h m o r e m e a n i n g f u l a n d magical f o r t h a t individual. T h i s s c h e m e usually b e g i n s w i t h a s e r i e s o f s i m p l e i m a g i n a tive e x e r c i s e s c a l c u l a t e d t o develop c o n t r o l a n d application o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s i n principle. F o r e x a m p l e , t h e t r a i n e e i s told t o place fingers and t h u m b s of both hands t o g e t h e r at natural distance, t h e n , g a z i n g steadily b e t w e e n t h e m , i m a g i n e he is holding a g l o b e o f p u r e s h i n i n g light. T h i s light i s t h e n i m a g i n e d a s b e c o m i n g s o i n t e n s e t h e e y e s h a v e t o b e closed a g a i n s t it. T h e n i t m u s t b e s e e n as w e a k e n i n g to a point of invisibility. All t h e c o l o r s f r o m r e d to v i o l e t a r e visualized w i t h v a r y i n g d e g r e e s o f light. A f t e r t h a t , t h e s a m e s p h e r e m a t e r i a l i z e s i n t h e mind a n d c h a n g e s f r o m o n e s u b s t a n c e t o a n o t h e r i n t u r n . All t h e d i f f e r e n t m e t a l s , for i n s t a n c e , followed b y m a t e r i a l s like w o o d , s t o n e , g l a s s / r u b b e r , o r balls o f c o t t o n , w o o l , silk, s t r i n g , h e m p , and s o f o r t h . T h e s e a r e m e n t a l l y m a d e t o feel h e a v y o r light a s n e e d be. L a t e r w i t h closed e y e s , t h e i m a g i n a r y s p h e r e i s held t o t h e n o s e and v a r i o u s s c e n t s o f all s o r t s called t o mind. I t i s t h e n held t o t h e e a r and s o u n d s o f d i f f e r e n t d e s c r i p t i o n e v o k e d . It m a y be t o u c h e d to t h e lips w h i l e t a s t e s a r e t h o u g h t of. T h e w h o l e idea is to d e v e l o p rapid arid c o n s c i o u s a s s i m i l a t i o n o f t h e s e n s e - s p e c t r u m w h i c h supplies o u r m e a n s o f C o n s t r u c t i n g a n a p p e a r a n c e for w h a t e v e r ideal i s being invoked. E x e r c i s e s w i t h c o n s c i o u s n e s s like t h i s a r e a n a l a g o u s t o t h e s c a l e s a n d f i n g e r i n g o f m u s i c . O n c e s o m e skill i s d e v e l o p e d w i t h "five finger exercises", more advanced practices may be attempted u n t i l it b e c o m e s possible to build up A r c h a n g e l - f i g u r e s w i t h a c c u r a c y and rapidity. E v e n t u a l l y , t h e s e will g r o w i n t o s u b j e c t i v e r e a l i t y t o a p o i n t w h e r e simply t h i n k i n g o f t h e i r n a m e s will b e enough to s u m m o n a sense of their presence. Gradually, they
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h a v e t o b e artificially a n i m a t e d b y c a t e g o r i z e d s t r e a m s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s f r o m t h e i r c r e a t o r . T h a t is to say, a M i c h a e l - f i g u r e t a k e s u p all ideas o f u p r i g h t n e s s , r e s i s t a n c e t o evil, j u s t i c e , m a g n a n i m i t y , and s o f o r t h . A n A u r i e l - f i g u r e holds e v e r y n o t i o n of common-sense, caution, patience, tolerance, etc. A Gabrielf i g u r e c o n d e n s e s c o m p a s s i o n , feeling, love, f o r g i v e n e s s , s y m p a t h y , a n d so on. A R a p h a e l - f i g u r e deals w i t h a l e r t n e s s , k e e n n e s s , i n t e l l i g e n c e , and t h e like. A M e t r a t o n - f i g u r e s h o u l d cope w i t h all ideas r e l a t i n g t h e individual w i t h h i g h e r o r d e r s o f life u p t o D i v i n i t y , and t h e c o m p l e m e n t a r y S a n d a l a p h o n - f i g u r e deal w i t h all l o w e r o r d e r s d o w n t o D i v i n i t y again. C o n n e c t i n g all t h e s e f i g u r e s i s t h e m y s t e r i o u s and u n f i x a b l e S u v u v i e l , r e p r e s e n t i n g n o less t h a n T r u t h i t s e l f w h i c h links all levels o f Life e v e r y w h e r e , y e t w e can n e v e r d e t e r m i n e its e x a c t n a t u r e a n y w h e r e . A t first, o f c o u r s e , s u c h c o n s t r u c t i o n s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s e x i s t purely in the minds of their makers. Y e t because they are recognized archetypes within the W e s t e r n Tradition, they exist in q u i t e a large n u m b e r of l i k e - w o r k i n g m i n d s , and so s h a r e a t e l e p a t h i c link i n c o m m o n . M o r e i m p o r t a n t l y still, t h e y c o n n e c t w i t h c o r r e s p o n d i n g t y p e s o f i n n e r i n t e l l i g e n c e deriving f r o m h i g h e r t h a n h u m a n s o u r c e s , and t h e r e f o r e put t h e i r c o n s t r u c t o r i n c l o s e r t o u c h w i t h s u p e r i o r s o r t s o f spiritual b e i n g s willing t o help h u m a n s climb t h e ladder o f Life and e a r n e m a n c i p a t i o n i n t o Light through evolution. T h e s e do not in any way run mortals' lives for t h e m o r t a k e o v e r r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r h u m a n affairs i n o u r w o r l d t o t h e s l i g h t e s t d e g r e e . T h e i r f u n c t i o n i s t o o f f e r spiritual o p p o r t u n i t i e s for u s t o t a k e a d v a n t a g e o f i f w e will. T h e y d o t h a t m u c h i n a n y c a s e , b u t t h e A r c h a n g e l c o n s t r u c t i o n s allow u s t o c o o p e r a t e c o n s c i o u s l y r a t h e r t h a n i n s t i n c t i v e l y i n this s c h e m e . B u i l t up in this w a y t h r o u g h a p a r t n e r s h i p b e t w e e n i n c a r n a t e i n i t i a t e s and o t h e r o r d e r s o f being i n d i f f e r e n t d i m e n s i o n s , s u c h A r c h a n g e l - f i g u r e s o r w h a t e v e r c o n c e p t s m a y b e c o n s t r u c t e d are technically known as Telesmic Images. T h e more accurately they r e p r e s e n t t h e i n n e r realities t h e y s y m b o l i z e t h e b e t t e r . P e r h a p s i t w o u l d b e n a t u r a l t o w o n d e r w h y a single g r e a t i n c l u s i v e F i g u r e o f a Christ-concept or Deity-Aspect would not serve better. T h a t could indeed be u s e d as a focal a p p r o a c h to I n n e r Life, b u t t h e i m p o r t a n c e of t h e A r c h a n g e l i c idea lies in its patterning a r o u n d t h e individual a s nodal p o i n t s o f c a t e g o r i z e d c o n s c i o u s n e s s . T h a t i s t h e key t o t h e w h o l e W e s t e r n w a y o f w o r k i n g . I t i s t h e p a t t e r n
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i t s e l f w h i c h p r o d u c e s r e s u l t s , j u s t a s definite a r r a n g e m e n t s o f f i g u r e s o r codes c o n n e c t u s w i t h o t h e r h u m a n s o n e a r t h . T h e r e a r e t e l e p a t h i c lines o f c o m m u n i c a t i o n a s well a s t e l e p h o n i c o n e s , and i f w e ring t h e r i g h t n u m b e r alone e i t h e r , w e can e x p e c t a n a n s w e r , albeit in d i f f e r e n t w a y s . A n a t t e m p t a t C h r i s t i a n i z i n g t h e s c h e m e w a s m a d e a long t i m e b a c k and is s o m e t i m e s called S t . P a t r i c k ' s B r e a s t p l a t e . It is an invocation that runs: C h r i s t be with me, C h r i s t within me, C h r i s t b e h i n d m e , C h r i s t b e f o r e me, C h r i s t beside m e , C h r i s t t o win m e , C h r i s t t o c o m f o r t and r e s t o r e m e , Christ beneath me, Christ above me, C h r i s t i n quiet, C h r i s t i n d a n g e r , C h r i s t i n h e a r t s o f all t h a t love m e , C h r i s t i n m o u t h o f friends a n d s t r a n g e r . T h i s is a v e r y lovely a n d c o n s o l i n g v e r s e , b u t d o e s n ' t h a v e t h e precision and exactitude of the cosmic construction produced by careful work with the Archangel arrangement. At the same time, t h e r e i s n o t h i n g t o stop any dedicated C h r i s t i a n f r o m using t h e C i r c l e - c o s m i c p a t t e r n b y f o r m i n g i t w i t h specific a t t r i b u t e s o f t h e C h r i s t c o n c e p t t o suit t h e q u a r t e r s i n q u e s t i o n . F o r i n s t a n c e , i n s t e a d of A r c h a n g e l s , a C h r i s t i a n could build up a m a g i c a l c o s m o s a r o u n d h i m s e l f s o m e w h a t i n t h i s fashion:Be the Divinity of Christ above me, Be the H u m a n i t y of C h r i s t below me, Be the Guidance of Christ before me. Be the Support of Christ on my right, Be the Compassion of Christ behind me, B e t h e P r o t e c t i o n o f C h r i s t o n m y left, Be the T r u t h of Christ around me, B e the Spirit o f C h r i s t within me. AMEN. T h a t would equate the fundamentals of the entire scheme into Christian symbology. S i n c e the actual pattern is muc h more i m p o r t a n t t h a n t h e d e s c r i p t i o n o f D i v i n i t y a t t r i b u t e d t o its p o i n t s , a C h r i s t i a n m a g i c a l C o s m i c circle w o u l d be q u i t e w o r k a b l e if m a d e up this way. T h e r e i s n o t h i n g really t o s t o p a n y o n e f r o m m a k i n g u p t h e s e m a g i c a l i m a g e s a s a n y s o r t o f " s p i r i t - g u i d e " t h e y f a n c y , and t a k i n g
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a c h a n c e on w h a t , if anything, animates it from Inner dimensions. It s e e m s that very m a n y so-called "guides" are made t h r o u g h this p r o c e s s . T h e t r o u b l e i s t h a t u n l e s s s o m e kind o f f o o l - p r o o f filter i s built i n t o t h e m , t h e y m a y easily b e m a n i p u l a t e d b y u n r e l i a b l e o r malicious classes of consciousness. T h a t is w h y it is best to remain w i t h p r o v e d a n d reliable p a t t e r n s like t h e A r c h a n g e l s , w h i c h h a v e b e c o m e a fairly s t a n d a r d W e s t e r n p r o c e d u r e . W h a t h a p p e n s w h e n s u c h a m a g i c a l circle is duly s e t up a n d got into going order by m e a n s of meditative and ritual practices? I f t h i s j o b i s p r o p e r l y d o n e , t h e circle s h o u l d s t a r t p r o d u c i n g its o w n r e s u l t s b y r e a c t i o n s t h r o u g h its i n i t i a t o r . All r e q u i r e d " I n n e r teaching" or contacts with higher consciousness ought to come t h r o u g h t h e specializes c i r c u i t r y o f t h e m a g i c C i r c l e , s o t h a t e a c h soul i n its o w n circle r e c e i v e s e x a c t l y w h a t i t s h o u l d i n t h e w a y o f spiritual g u i d a n c e , e n c o u r a g e m e n t , o r o t h e r i n n e r i n f l u e n c e s a c c o r d i n g t o its n e e d s . T h i s i s w h y t h e g r o u n d plans o f m o s t r e p u t a b l e o c c u l t T e m p l e s in t h e W e s t h a v e a s i m i l a r f o r m a l l a y o u t of a c i r c l e - c r o s s d e s i g n w i t h c e n t r a l a l t a r a n d a p p r o p r i a t e representations a t t h e Q u a r t e r s . T h e main function of any T e m p l e is to s h o w s y m b o l i c a l l y h o w w e h a v e t o a r r a n g e t h e spiritual side o f o u r b e i n g s i n a c t u a l i t y . M o s t magical T e m p l e s o f t h e W e s t a r e u s u a l l y patterned on a C o s m i c C r o s s system because that happens to be o u r special w a y o f individuation. W i t h i n t h a t o v e r a l l s c h e m e , t h e various symbols connected with t h e rite being worked are related meaningfully with each o t h e r according to t h e nature of the c e r e m o n y in question. Y e t , unless participants actually do the s a m e e q u i v a l e n t t h i n g s i n t h e i r o w n spiritual s t r u c t u r e s , n o t h i n g m a g i c a l h a p p e n s a t all. T h e real m a g i c does n o t lie i n t h e s y m b o l s , but in one's personal relationship with w h a t those symbols represent. O n c e again, w e a r e b r o u g h t back t o t h e b a s i c t e n e t o f o u r W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n , t h e S a c r e d K i n g s a c r i f i c e , this t i m e i n a m o d e r n m a g i c a l m a n n e r . N o w a d a y s i t i s a n a c t i o n t a k i n g place w i t h i n a s i n g l e self. T h e " K i n g - p a r t " o f a n individual soul sacrificed b y t h e " P r i e s t - p a r t " o f t h a t s a m e b e i n g for t h e s a k e o f t h e " T r u e S e l f " t h e y i n t e n d t o b e c o m e . T h i s could indeed b e d e s c r i b e d a s t h e " M a s s o f t h e H o l y G r a i l " i n p r a c t i c e and principle. I t aligns w i t h t h e c e n t r a l Pillar s u p p o r t i n g t h e e n t i r e s t r u c t u r e o f
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W e s t e r n magic. O r p h i c and n a t u r e rites belong to t h e right hand Pillar, a n d H e r m e t i c i n t e l l e c t u a l activities t o t h e L e f t . P r o p e r l y u n d e r s t o o d and p r a c t i c e d in a magical m a n n e r , t h i s m o d e r n mystical version of the Sacred King concept is the genuine inner i n t e r p r e t a t i o n o f t h e so-called " S e l f - s a c r i f i c e " n e e d e d t o s a v e u s all within the Tradition of the West. T h e i m p l i c a t i o n s o f this a r e s o s t u p e n d o u s t h a t f e w m a y g r a s p much of their significance. T h e r e is yet to c o m e an entire " N e w W a v e " in t h e W e s t e r n m a g i c a l movement. It will be r o o t e d in t h e s e ideas a n d provide t e c h n i q u e s e n a b l i n g people t o w o r k o u t t h e i r o w n s a l v a t i o n a c c o r d i n g t o t h e i r individual n e e d s . N o t t h a t t h e r e will b e v e r y m u c h " n e w " involved, e x c e p t fresh f o r m u l a s f o r coping w i t h a g e l e s s c o n c e p t s . L o o k i n g back t h r o u g h o u r past, W e c a n s e e t h a t e a c h era p r o d u c e d its o w n a d a p t a t i o n s o f m a g i c w h i c h , b y s u b t l e a l t e r a t i o n s w i t h i n c o n s c i o u s n e s s , helped a l t e r t h e c o u r s e o f o u r h i s t o r y . T h i s i s t r u e today, and p e r h a p s a c y n i c m i g h t b e f o r g i v e n f o r w o n d e r i n g w h e t h e r all t h e m a g i c i n t h e world can c h a n g e the dooms we seem determined to invite on ourselves. No magic averted our wars, though perhaps those h o r r i f i c h a p p e n i n g s a l t e r e d o u r m a g i c for t h e b e t t e r . C a n o u r c o n t e m p o r a r y m a g i c p r e s e r v e u s f r o m t h e perils o f o u r p s e u d o p e a c e ? It can at least be g e a r e d to play its p r o p e r p a r t in o u r p e r f e c t i o n p r o g r a m , and t h a t i s w h a t p r e s e n t p r a c t i t i o n e r s s h o u l d be chiefly concerned with. It is probable that the actual percentage of whole-hearted w o r k e r s w i t h W e s t e r n m a g i c i n e a c h g e n e r a t i o n i s v e r y small indeed, possibly less t h a n o n e p e r c e n t o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n . All t h a t m a k e s t h e m u n i q u e i s w h a t t h e y d o w i t h t h e i r c o n s c i o u s n e s s , and h o w t h i s a f f e c t s o t h e r s . P e r h a p s i t s o u n d s like a n e n o r m o u s e x p e n d i t u r e of e f f o r t p o u r e d i n t o a p r o j e c t t h a t p r o m i s e s little in t h e w a y o f a p p r e c i a b l e r e t u r n s . O n l y t h o s e w h o r e a l l y value t h e spiritual s i g n i f i c a n c e o f w h a t t h e y a r e doing a r e likely t o p e r s e v e r e past t h e point o f dividing d i s a p p o i n t m e n t from d i s c o v e r y . T h e failures will fall a w a y f r o m s h e e r lack o f p e r c e p t i b l e r e t u r n s a n d u n r e w a r d e d a m b i t i o n s . N o n e b u t p a t i e n t and p e r s i s t e n t practit i o n e r s g o steadily a l o n g t h r o u g h t h e s a m e and w o r s e o b s t a c l e s toward inner truths only seen from very exalted states of awareness. T h e r e i s n o u s e l o o k i n g back for e n c o u r a g e m e n t b y w o n d e r ful " s u c c e s s - s t o r i e s " a m o n g past p r a c t i t i o n e r s o f m a g i c i n o u r
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T r a d i t i o n . All w e shall s e e t h e r e a r e a p p a r e n t m a r t y r s and m i s u n d e r s t o o d m e n and w o m e n living s o m e h o w o u t o f c o n t e x t w i t h t h e i r t i m e s . W h o , by magic alone, m a d e h u g e f o r t u n e s , r e a c h e d p i n n a c l e s o f p o w e r , o r o t h e r w i s e a c h i e v e d w h a t this w o r l d calls " s u c c e s s " ? W e shall find t h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e m had v e r y t r o u b l e d lives and o f t e n sad ends. S o m e t i m e s t h e y m a n a g e d s o m e kind o f b r i e f and e p h e m e r a l t r i u m p h usually i n e a r l y middle life, t h e n declined f r o m t h a t p o i n t t o w h a t e v e r d e a t h r e l e a s e d t h e m f r o m bodily b o n d a g e . In m a n y c a s e s , it w a s o n l y a long t i m e a f t e r t h e i r d e a t h s t h a t t h e i r significance w a s realized b y o t h e r s t o a n y marked degree. Mostly, their very names were unknown except t o i n n e r i n t e l l i g e n c e s . Y e t o n e w a y o r a n o t h e r , t h e y h a v e left indelible i m p r e s s i o n s o n o u r spiritual g e n e t i c d e p t h s w h i c h will i n f l u e n c e t h e i r m a g i c a l d e s c e n d a n t s for a v e r y p r o l o n g e d period ahead.
6. Towards the Temple
A s s u m i n g o n e is b o t h i n t e r e s t e d and d e v o t e d e n o u g h to p u r s u e a p e r s o n a l and practical path o f m a g i c w i t h i n t h e W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n , h o w would t h a t p e r s o n p r o c e e d ? T h a t is indeed a prize p r o b l e m . O n l y t e n t a t i v e a n s w e r s i n g e n e r a l t e r m s can really b e attempted. F i r s t and f o r e m o s t , o f c o u r s e , c o m e s t h e all i m p o r t a n t q u e s t i o n o f " v o c a t i o n " . A r e , o r a r e n o t , t h e souls c o n c e r n e d really p r e p a r e d t o sacrifice t h e m a i n s t r e a m o f t h e i r lives t o s e r v i c e i n t h e c a u s e o f o u r c o m m o n T r a d i t i o n according t o t h e magical " L i n e o f L i g h t w i t h i n t h e W e s t " ? D o t h e y fully u n d e r s t a n d a n d accept t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y and c o n s e q u e n c e s o f w h a t t h e y i n t e n d d o i n g ? A r e t h e y really a w a r e o f w h a t t h e y a r e taking o n t h e m s e l v e s ? A n d are t h e y willing t o e n d u r e and e x p e r i e n c e w h a t e v e r m a y b e d e m a n d e d of t h e m on all levels of Life as a r e s u l t of t h e i r d e c i s i o n ? T h i s is truly a t e r r i b l e " G r a i l Q u e s t i o n " w h i c h s o o n e r o r l a t e r h a s t o b e faced b y all w h o w o u l d e n t e r t h e real " M y s t e r i e s o f t h e W e s t " o n d e e p e r t h a n s u r f a c e levels. W h a t this a m o u n t s t o is, a r e w e b o r n w i t h m a g i c "in o u r b l o o d " o r d o w e m e r e l y w a n t t o m a k e its a c q u a i n t a n c e o n p u r e l y social t e r m s a s a m a t t e r o f i n q u i s i t i v e i n t e r e s t ? A u t h e n t i c W e s t e r n
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magi mostly "have it in their blood' as an inheritance from f o r m e r lives, v e r y o f t e n p e r s i s t i n g t h r o u g h familial lines. T h e s e a r e r e l a t i v e l y r a r e and s e l d o m c o n s p i c u o u s t o a n y e x t e n t . T h e y n e i t h e r proclaim t h e m s e l v e s publicly, n o r w e l c o m e r e c o g n i t i o n o u t s i d e v e r y limited circles. N o r d o t h e y d e p e n d o n c o m m e r c i a l courses of instruction, membership of "Occult Orders", or other f o r m s o f a s s i s t a n c e for developing t h e i r i n t r i n s i c abilities. W h a t e v e r t h e y n e e d will a u t o m a t i c a l l y g r o w o u t o f t h e n e c e s s i t y itself because of their inner connections. O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h e r e a r e u n d o u b t e d l y m a n y souls w h o may not be so advanced in the Tradition, yet would most sincerely w a n t t o b e o f s o m e s e r v i c e t o i t w i t h i n limited w a y s a c c o r d i n g t o t h e i r c i r c u m s t a n c e s and abilities. S u c h S e r v i c e i s o f t e n o f v e r y g r e a t value; s o m e t i m e s o f i n e s t i m a b l e v a l u e . I t m a y b e t h a t a n individual m i g h t o n l y p r o d u c e a single i n s t a n c e of s e r v i c e in a w h o l e i n c a r n a t i o n , y e t n o o n e else could h a v e d o n e j u s t t h a t , and w i t h o u t i t t h e e n t i r e T r a d i t i o n would h a v e b e e n s o m u c h t h e p o o r e r . N o t h i n g t h a t fills a specific n e e d can be c o n s i d e r e d unimportant. A t o n e t i m e , t h e w h o l e field o f o c c u l t activity w a s visualized a s a s o r t o f n u c l e a r a r r a n g e m e n t c o n s i s t i n g o f c o n c e n t r i c circles w h e r e i n all classes o f souls s o r t e d t h e m s e l v e s i n t o t h e i r n a t u r a l o r d e r s . B e y o n d t h e o u t e r limits w a s " T h e W i l d e r n e s s " w h e r e s o u l s j u s t s t r a y e d a r o u n d m o r e o r less a i m l e s s l y until t h e y s t a r t e d l o o k i n g t o w a r d s o m e t h i n g t h e y v a g u e l y felt w a s a S p i r i t o r " G o d " calling t h e m i n t o I t s e l f f r o m a long w a y off. A f t e r m a n y m i s t a k e s and false s t a r t s , t h e y e v e n t u a l l y f o u n d t h e i r w a y i n t o a n " O u t e r C o u r t " , w h e r e i n souls like t h e m s e l v e s w e r e s e e k i n g t h e s a m e t h i n g w i t h a c e r t a i n a m o u n t of skill and d e t e r m i n a t i o n . N e v e r t h e l e s s , t h e y w e r e still e x t r e m e l y fallible a n d i m p e r f e c t . I t o f t e n t o o k a long t i m e to w o r k this lot t o w a r d s t h e c e n t e r to e n t e r t h e n e x t circle o f I n n e r I n i t i a t e s . T h e s e had m u c h c l e a r e r ideas o f w h a t t h e y w e r e doing and h o w t o k e e p t h e w h o l e t h i n g g o i n g for e v e r y o n e ' s b e n e f i t . T h e y realized t h e i r l i m i t s o n l y t o o well, and w e r e p r e p a r e d t o w o r k u n r e s e r v e d l y for t h e C o s m i c C a u s e t h e y felt s o closely. W i t h i n t h e n e x t circle w e r e still m o r e e v o l v e d s o u l s , and s o o n until t h e A b s o l u t e C e n t e r w a s r e a c h e d , and t h e n T H A T w a s T H A T ! T o d a y , o u r " O u t e r C o u r t s " a r e f i g u r a t i v e , and indicate a c o n g l o m e r a t i o n of people w i t h a i m s in c o m m o n , s o r t i n g
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t h e m s e l v e s o u t b e f o r e m a k i n g m o r e direct a n d d e t e r m i n e d t r a c k s towards w h a t e v e r truth they have perceived by their own inmost light. S o o n e r o r l a t e r , t h o s e w h o sat d o w n q u i e t l y t o t h i n k t h i n g s out while o t h e r s ran rings round them, w e r e bound to reach some o b s e r v a n t c o n c l u s i o n s . T h e y b e g a n t o s e e t h a t w e live i n " f i e l d s " of c o m m o n consciousness which we have to share with each other i n m u c h t h e s a m e w a y a s w e all h a v e t o b r e a t h e t h e s a m e o c e a n o f air, o r utilize t h e s a m e e l e c t r o - m a g n e t i c e n e r g y o f t h i s e a r t h , C o n s c i o u s n e s s a s a n e n e r g y e x i s t s a r o u n d us, w i t h i n us, and u l t i m a t e l y c o n s t r u c t s us. P e o p l e a r e its " p h e n o m e n a " , s o t o s p e a k . Y e t , a l t h o u g h it is u b i q u i t o u s p e r s e , it h a s c a t e g o r i c a l classificat i o n s i n t h e w a y radio f r e q u e n c i e s can b e c o n s i d e r e d a s " b a n d s " . A s h u m a n s , w e can c o v e r o n l y a limited r a n g e o f t h e s e . I n t h a t r a n g e , t h e b r o a d e s t s e c t i o n s a r e r e c e i v a b l e b y all h u m a n s , b u t a s t h e f r e q u e n c i e s b e c o m e h i g h e r and f i n e r , o n l y t h e m o s t developed a n d e v o l v e d t y p e s o f o u r species can deal w i t h t h e m . A t t h e " t o p end" of our spectrum, consciousness goes right beyond p u r p r e s e n t r e a c h a l t o g e t h e r . W e can o n l y k e e p c o n t a c t w i t h o t h e r beings using such energies by means of mutually acceptable symbolism. Neither our brains n o r minds originate consciousness o f a n y kind. T h e y simply i n t e r p r e t i t for u s o n bodily and i n t e l l e c t u a l levels r e s p e c t i v e l y . T h e v a s t m a j o r i t y o f h u m a n s r e c e i v e and r e a c t t o c o n s c i o u s n e s s i n v a r i o u s w a y s a c c o r d i n g t o t h e i r c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s . W e are i n f l u e n c e d spiritually, m e n t a l l y , and physically b y t h e c o m m o n a t m o s p h e r e o f a w a r e n e s s w e s h a r e . W h e t h e r w e like t h e idea o r n o t , w e a r e all u n d o u b t e d l y e x i s t i n g i n a n a m b i e n c e o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s w h i c h h a s b e e n used, m i s u s e d , p r o c e s s e d , polluted, and o t h e r w i s e a l t e r e d o r i n t e r f e r e d w i t h b y e v e r y h u m a n capable o f c h a n g i n g its c u r r e n t s in t h e s l i g h t e s t w a y . T h i s is a v e r y s e r i o u s m a t t e r o n c e its full i m p l i c a t i o n s are realized. O u r v e r y lives literally h a n g o n its p r e s e n t and f u t u r e e f f e c t s o n us. A s a r u l e , few h u m a n s h a v e m u c h ability t o t a k e u p c o n s c i o u s n e s s i n t e n t i o n a l l y , p r o c e s s it in t h e m s e l v e s , and a l t e r it specifically s o a s t o p u s h i t o n i t s w a y again w i t h s o m e positive p u r p o s e . T h a t i n i t s e l f i s a n act o f p u r e m a g i c , w h e t h e r s e e n a s s u c h o r n o t . I n o u r v e r y early d a y s , o n l y a m i n u t e m a j o r i t y o f m a n k i n d could d o a n y t h i n g a t all like t h i s . T h o s e n a t u r a l l y b e c a m e
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l e a d e r s o f families a n d t r i b e s , p r i e s t s , k i n g s , p r o p h e t s , a n d s o f o r t h . T h e c o n s c i o u s n e s s t h e y p r o c e s s e d provided a pool s e r v i n g t h e i r people for c e n t u r i e s , until s u c c e s s i v e g e n e r a t i o n s b e g a n t o develop t h e a r t for t h e m s e l v e s i n e v e r w i d e n i n g circles. M o r e and m o r e h u m a n s individuated t o d e g r e e s w h e r e t h e y b e c a m e capable o f c h a n g i n g c o n s c i o u s n e s s o n t h e i r o w n initiative, t h u s i n f l u e n c ing o t h e r s . T h o s e w h o realized w h a t t h e y could d o and h o w i t had to be d o n e b e c a m e p r a c t i t i o n e r s of m a g i c , in fad if n o t in title. N o w , a f t e r long lines o f c u m u l a t i v e e f f e c t s , w e h a v e c o m e t o a c r u x w h e r e t h e m a s s - m i n d o f m a n k i n d i s being p r e s s u r i z e d b e y o n d b e l i e f b y e x p e r t s w h o w o u l d gladly e n s l a v e i t for t h e i r o w n p u r p o s e s o f p o w e r a n d profit. A l t e r n a t e l y w e a r e e n t i t l e d t o a n o p t i o n o f e n f r a n c h i z e m e n t i n t o individual s t a t e s o f spiritual selfg o v e r n m e n t w h i c h o u r i n c a r n a t i o n s o n t h i s e a r t h h a v e fairly e a r n e d for us. T h i s i s w h e r e t h e truly v o c a t i o n a l W e s t e r n m a g e enters the inner arena. H i s o r h e r s e l f - s t r u c t u r e h a s b e e n s o a r r a n g e d t h a t all a m b i e n t c o n s c i o u s n e s s can b e a c c e p t e d , t r e a t e d , and t h e n r e c i r c u l a t e d i n far m o r e s u i t a b l e c o n d i t i o n t o s e r v e t h e spirit o f t h e T r a d i t i o n . Additionally, i n i t i a t e s o f this s t a t u s a u t o m a t i c a l l y r a d i a t e t h e f r e q u e n c i e s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s n e e d e d b y less a d v a n c e d h u m a n s i n o r d e r t o aid t h e i r e v o l u t i o n a r y e f f o r t s u p t h e Ladder o f Life. I t i s chiefly souls o f s u c h s t a t u r e w h o k e e p t h e f u n d a m e n t a l s o f o u r I n n e r T r a d i t i o n c o n t i n u i n g m o r e o r less o n c o u r s e . T h e y are like t h e vital " t r a c e e l e m e n t s " o f o u r bodies w h i c h a r e a l m o s t u n d e t e c t a b l e , y e t w i t h o u t t h e m w e w o u l d s u r e l y s i c k e n and die. N o t all are purely m a g i c i a n s b y any m e a n s . A r t i s t s , m u s i c i a n s , p o e t s , w r i t e r s , and all c l a s s e s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s - p r o c e s s o r s a r e involved. Y e t n o n e o f t h e m could o p e r a t e e f f e c t i v e l y w i t h o u t t h e s u p p o r t o f n o n - i n c a r n a t e s o n o n e h a n d , and a " f e l l o w s h i p o f f a i t h " a m o n g h u m a n s o n t h e o t h e r . O n c e m o r e , a s a l w a y s , w e a r e back t o t h e P r i e s t - K i n g principle o f m e d i a t i o n b e t w e e n H u m a n i t y and D i v i n i t y . T h a t i s t h e u n i q u e p o s i t i o n o f t h o s e faithfully dedicating t h e i r lives t o magical and o t h e r b r a n c h e s o f b e l i e f c o n n e c t e d w i t h o u r W e s t e r n I n n e r W a y . I t i s c e r t a i n l y t r u e t h a t s u c h o f f e r e d lives h a v e t o b e laid d o w n i n v e r y d i f f e r e n t m e t h o d s t o t h o s e o f olden days. N o m i r a c u l o u s b i r t h s , privileged lives, and s p e c t a c u l a r deaths await modern mediators; only ordinary incarnations spent
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in faithful and d e v o t e d s e r v i c e to a T r a d i t i o n for t h e s a k e of t h e S p i r i t i t s t a n d s for. T h e s e i n c a r n a t i o n s a r e o f t e n v e r y difficult and d a n g e r o u s , o r m a y b e j u s t dull a n d a p p a r e n t l y q u i t e u n r e w a r d i n g . T h e decisive f a c t o r i s t h a t t h e s e dedicated souls are n e e d e d t o b e i n specific s i t u a t i o n s t o provide s o m e definite a n d indispensable s e r v i c e . S o w h a t i s a n y s i n c e r e soul t o d o i f i t really i n t e n d s uniting w i t h t h e magical p a r t o f o u r T r a d i t i o n i n m o d e r n t i m e s ? M a n y e n q u i r e r s , especially y o u n g o n e s , g e t w o n d e r f u l ideas a b o u t finding incredible " M y s t i c B r o t h e r h o o d s . " M a r v e l l o u s and mysterious operations of super-powerful " O r d e r s " are imagined, led b y " g r e a t O c c u l t M a s t e r s " , h a v i n g all t h e s e c r e t s o f life and d e a t h i n t h e i r keeping. T h e y s u p p o s e i n i t i a t i o n i n t o t h e s e m u s t lead t o a l m o s t i n s t a n t p e r s o n a l p r o m o t i o n and spiritual i m p o r t a n c e . M o s t h u m a n s h a v e ideas o f this kind t h e y e x p r e s s i n d i f f e r e n t w a y s . I n old t i m e s people hoped t h e i r S a c r e d K i n g s w o u l d s a v e t h e m f r o m a lot of sad e x p e r i e n c e . C h r i s t i a n s believe t h a t t h e i r D i v i n e V i c t i m s a v e s t h e souls o f all m a n k i n d f o r e v e r , i f t h e o f f e r is a c c e p t e d and followed up. M a n y people n o w believe t h a t t h e i r political and social s y s t e m s a r e saving t h e m f r o m all s o r t s o f r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s and difficulties. T h r o u g h o u t t h e a g e s , i t has always been the same story in changed clothing. I t m i g h t b e well for w o u l d - b e magi o f t h e W e s t t o l e a r n a s s o o n a s possible t h a t fairy-tale " M a g i c a l O r d e r s " o r like s e c r e t a s s o c i a t i o n s for p r o m o t i n g p e r s o n a l p o w e r s simply d o n o t e x i s t a s s u c h , apart f r o m wishful t h i n k i n g . T h e r e are p l e n t y o f s e c r e t o r g a n i z a t i o n s i n e x i s t e n c e for v a r i o u s r e a s o n s . T h e " M a f i a " i s a n o b v i o u s e x a m p l e . T h e r e a r e also q u i t e a n u m b e r o f g r o u p s all claiming different degrees of occult importance in the West, some s i n c e r e , o t h e r s o n l y t i m e - w a s t e r s , o t h e r s again n o t h i n g but m o n e y - g r a b b e r s . S o o n e r o r later, people s e r i o u s l y i n t e r e s t e d i n W e s t e r n occultism c o m e up against the perennial problem of w h e t h e r o r n o t t o j o i n i n w i t h s o m e g r o u p , cult, o r a s s o c i a t i o n , and all m u s t m a k e t h e i r o w n d e c i s i o n s for t h e m s e l v e s o n this point. A few guiding lines m i g h t be helpful. I n t h e first place, e x a m i n e p e r s o n a l m o t i v e s for w a n t i n g t o j o i n a n y g r o u p v e r y carefully indeed. I f t h e s e a r e derived from a v e r a g e needs for m e e t i n g o t h e r h u m a n s o f s i m i l a r i n t e r e s t s , finding s u i t a b l e s e x - p a r t n e r s , s p e n d i n g a m u s i n g e v e n i n g s , m a k i n g a d v a n t a g e o u s c o n t a c t s , o r " o n e - u p m a n s h i p " o f a n y s o r t , t h e n all
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t h i s a n d far m o r e m a y b e b e t t e r f o u n d i n v a r i o u s social c l u b s . I f t h e m o t i v e d e r i v e s f r o m a w i s h t o w i t n e s s w o n d e r - w o r k i n g and s p e c t a c u l a r spiritual a c t i v i t i e s , t h a t i s d o o m e d t o d i s a p p o i n t m e n t and disillusionment from t h e start. As a rule, approaching any h u m a n association with absurd or impossible expectations is simply asking for t r o u b l e o f all s o r t s . S o m a n y people d o e x a c t l y t h i s , a n d learn t h e h a r d a n d h u m i l i a t i n g w a y , usually w i t h o u t m o r e s e r i o u s r e s u l t s t h a n loss o f m o n e y , t i m e , and illusions. S i n c e r e a n d h o n e s t s e l f - a p p r a i s e m e n t w o u l d h a v e s a v e d t h e m all their trouble. T h e best way to look at occult societies and groups is t h r o u g h the view-finder of c o m m o n sense. For instance, if some concern is a d v e r t i s i n g w i d e l y for m e m b e r s , t h e y h a v e s o m e t h i n g t o sell a n d are seeking no more than customers. N o w what is the absolute m o s t t h a t t h e y , o r a n y o t h e r so-called o c c u l t o r g a n i z a t i o n could possibly supply for m o n e y ? D i s t r i b u t e d i n f o r m a t i o n c e r t a i n l y . I n t h e s e d a y s , n o m o r e t h a n could b e o b t a i n e d f r o m public l i b r a r i e s . F o r t h o s e w i t h o u t abilities o r facilities f o r r e s e a r c h , t h a t s e r v i c e m i g h t b e w o r t h paying e x o r b i t a n t f e e s t o o b t a i n — o r i t m i g h t n o t . A n o t h e r sales i t e m c a n b e classified a s e n t e r t a i n m e n t a n d accessories. Elaborate ritual productions and equipment, robes, regalia, d e c o r a t i o n s , i n i t i a t i o n c e r t i f i c a t e s , a n d all t h e r e s t o f t h e r o m a n t i c paraphernalia so beloved by thrill-seekers. H a r m l e s s , but highly over-priced collectors' commodities. Apart from such o f f e r s , t h e r e m a y b e f r i n g e b e n e f i t s like c o n d u c t e d t o u r s o f s a c r e d s i t e s , c o n v e n t i o n s w i t h l e c t u r e s and b a n q u e t s , plus t h e u s u a l t r i m m i n g s e x p e c t e d o f m o d e r n o r g a n i z a t i o n s d u r i n g t h e i r social g a t h e r i n g s . All t h e s e a m e n i t i e s c o s t m o n e y w h i c h m a n y a r e well p r e p a r e d a n d m o s t willing t o pay, b u t t h e y c a n n o t possibly b e a n y m o r e t h a n e x p e n s i v e e n t e r t a i n m e n t s h o w e v e r t h e y a r e disguised. All t h a t c a n b e d o n e i s t o s h o w people h o w t o c o n n e c t t h e m s e l v e s t o g e t h e r i n o r d e r t o m a k e t h e m o s t o f w h a t t h e y can r e a c h for t h e m s e l v e s . T h e r e s t i s a m a t t e r o f e n c o u r a g e m e n t and simple fellowship. A n y association or group offering no m o r e than this might at least deserve attention from enquirers. In fact, it is b e s t to d i s t r u s t a n y o r g a n i z a t i o n w h i c h r e f u s e s to s t a t e plainly i n t h e s i m p l e s t t e r m s e x a c t l y w h a t its c o n s t i t u t i o n is, its a i m s , r e q u i r e m e n t s o f m e m b e r s , and r e g u l a t i o n o f a f f a i r s . I t s h o u l d s c a r c e l y n e e d t o b e said t h a t n o papers o r d o c u m e n t s o u g h t
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t o b e s i g n e d b y applicants w i t h o u t t h e c l o s e s t s c r u t i n y and c a r e . I f in t h e l e a s t d o u b t it m i g h t pay to c o n s u l t a l a w y e r , b e c a u s e s i g n e d p r o m i s e s c o n c e r n i n g m e m b e r s h i p fees o r o t h e r e x p e n s e s h a v e legal f o r c e . T h e n , t o o , m e m b e r s m a y b e liable for h e a v y c o s t s i f claims a r e m a d e a g a i n s t t h e i r s o c i e t y , u n l e s s t h e y a r e p r o t e c t e d b y specific c l a u s e s . N o c o m m i t m e n t s w h a t e v e r s h o u l d b e m a d e t h a t cannot be terminated by a formal letter of resignation. Fantastic o r illogical " i n i t i a t i o n o a t h s " d e m a n d i n g u n q u e s t i o n i n g o b e d i e n c e u n d e r pain o f idiotic p e n a l t i e s s h o u l d n e v e r b e a g r e e d t o , n o m a t t e r h o w m u c h " m a t t e r s o f f o r m " are pleaded. A n y t h i n g c o n t r a r y t o c o d e s o f c o n s c i e n c e and civilized b e h a v i o r o u g h t t o b e f i r m l y and u n h e s i t a t i n g l y r e j e c t e d b y a n y o n e unwilling t o b e h a v e in such ways of their o w n accord. T h e r e is, p e r h a p s , a r a t h e r p r o s a i c point w o r t h m e n t i o n i n g here in connection with "Occult Groups". T h e y are normally " c h e c k e d o u t " b y t h e police w h o a r e p u r e l y l o o k i n g for a c t u a l illegalities o r c o n t r a v e n t i o n s o f civil c o d e s . M o s t o f t h e m m a y b e h a r m l e s s e n o u g h f r o m a police point of v i e w , b u t t h e y c a n still be u n d e s i r a b l e s f r o m i n n e r a n g l e s . H e r e and t h e r e t h e y m a y b e i n v o l v e d i n c r i m i n a l c o n c e r n s w h i c h h a v e e s c a p e d police n o t i c e for v a r i o u s r e a s o n s . T h e a v e r a g e e n q u i r e r i s h i g h l y unlikely t o e n c o u n t e r t h e s e , o r b e a p p r o a c h e d t o j o i n t h e m . A s a rule, t h e m o r e evil a g r o u p is, t h e m o r e e x c l u s i v e it b e c o m e s . A n o t h e r p o i n t i s t h a t m o s t G o v e r n m e n t a l s e r v i c e s , civil o r otherwise, take a generally poor view of their m e m b e r s w h o show a n y m a r k e d i n t e r e s t i n t h e o c c u l t . I n official e y e s / t h i s indicates "unreliability", or some uncertainty of unquestioning devotion to i m p o s e d duties. T h e last t h i n g C h i e f s o f S t a f f w a n t i n t h e i r r a n k s a r e people i n t e r e s t e d in individuation o u t s i d e officially allowed areas. T h i s means that anyone known to have occult inclinations will b e c a r e f u l l y m a r k e d a s s u c h o n p r i v a t e d o s s i e r s w h i c h t h e y n e v e r h e a r of. T h o u g h n o o b v i o u s official n o t i c e i s t a k e n , t h e r e c a n b e q u i t e a lot o f d i s a d v a n t a g e o u s r e p e r c u s s i o n . F o r e x a m p l e , p r o m o t i o n m a y b e delayed, o r p o s t i n g s m a d e t o u n w a n t e d places, or any other of the many methods employed by services e v e r y w h e r e t o deal w i t h t h e i r less approved m e m b e r s . T h e r e f o r e , if even minor members of G o v e r n m e n t services are seriously c o n s i d e r i n g o c c u l t i n t e r e s t s and a c t i v i t i e s , t h e y w o u l d b e w e l l advised to k e e p t h i s as closely c o n f i d e n t i a l as p o s s i b l e .
100 / A N O U T L O O K O N O U R
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A n i m p o r t a n t t h i n g t o b e a r i n m i n d i s this. T h e o n l y g e n u i n e j u s t i f i c a t i o n for t h e e x i s t e n c e o f a n y W e s t e r n e s o t e r i c o r g a n i z a t i o n in this w o r l d is f o r a s s i s t i n g its i n i t i a t e s to " s t a n d on t h e i r o w n spiritual f e e t " . T h i s m e a n s t o s h o w t h e m h o w t o individuate s o t h a t t h e y will h a v e n o n e e d f o r e a r t h - b a s e d T e m p l e s o r L o d g e s any more. T h a t is one reason w h y a first-joined Lodge is a f f e c t i o n a t e l y called a " M o t h e r " , b e c a u s e a m o t h e r raises h e r s o n s to g r o w up and live i n d e p e n d e n t lives e l s e w h e r e . In a s e n s e , W e s t e r n t r a i n i n g T e m p l e s s h o u l d b e c o n s i d e r e d a s n u r s e r i e s and p r e p a r a t o r y s c h o o l s , w i t h t h e p u r p o s e o f guiding h u m a n s a l o n g lines o f life leading t o adult r e s p o n s i b i l i t y i n w i d e r and m u c h m o r e demanding areas. T h e r e f o r e , e v e n t h e finest o c c u l t L o d g e s a n d T e m p l e s i m a g i n a b l e o n m u n d a n e levels could o n l y h e l p e n t r a n t s j u s t s o far upon their Inner ways. S o o n e r or later comes the "parting point" w h e r e initiates have to seek their solitary " t r u t h - t r a c k s " through I n n e r S p a c e i n s e a r c h o f w h a t e v e r t a r g e t t h e y h a v e set t h e m s e l v e s . T h e r e is a lot of parallelism b e t w e e n l a u n c h i n g a s p a c e - s h i p a n d sending a soul o f f t o w a r d s its. " S e l f - s t a r " . At t h e p r e s e n t t i m e , a h u g e o r g a n i z a t i o n is n e e d e d for g e t t i n g a single ship a w a y from t h e g r o u n d , b u t e v e n t u a l l y ships will b e able t o c o m e a n d g o e n t i r e l y w i t h t h e i r o w n facilities. S o , w h i l e i n t i m e s g o n e by it t o o k a l a r g e c o m b i n e d o p e r a t i o n to s t a r t or " i n i t i a t e " souls o n e v o l u t i o n a r y e x p e d i t i o n s , m o s t o f t h e m a r e n o w capable of commencing on their own accounts. O v e r t h e c e n t u r i e s , m o s t o f t h e i n t i m a t e circles o f W e s t e r n i n i t i a t e s h a v e l e a r n e d b y h a r d and sad e x p e r i e n c e t o e x c l u d e a n y o n e a t all w h o does n o t h a r m o n i z e p r o p e r l y w i t h t h e i r p a r t i c u l a r p o w e r - p a t t e r n s . T h e y simply c a n n o t afford t o h a v e their painstaking work ruined by incompatibles. However much t h e y m i g h t be willing to admit o t h e r s u i t a b l e souls it will be a long t i m e b e f o r e t h e y a r e likely t o m a k e t e n t a t i v e signs o f w e l c o m e . First, there would have to be unmistakable evidence of sincerity and suitability, t h e n a s o r t o f s c r e e n i n g p r o c e s s for d e t e r m i n i n g capability. I n t h e end, t h e r e has t o b e a n u n a n i m o u s decision w h e t h e r o r n o t t o o f f e r t h e c a n d i d a t e a n o p p o r t u n i t y for probationary admission. Traditionally in the W e s t no one is s u p p o s e d t o b e o p e n l y asked t o j o i n a n i n i t i a t o r y circle o f companions. Application m u s t be made entirely of their own
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a c c o r d and free-will. W h a t u s u a l l y h a p p e n s i s t h a t d i s c r e e t h i n t s are g i v e n t h a t s u c h a n application w o u l d b e c o n s i d e r e d s y m p a t h e tically. E v e n a h i n t of t h a t kind is o n l y to be g i v e n o n c e , and no pressure w h a t e v e r must influence the candidate's voluntary decision. A t o n e t i m e , a m o n g e s o t e r i c circles, t h e r e w a s a c u s t o m t h a t c a n d i d a t e s w e r e allowed t h r e e applications. I f r e j e c t e d o n t h e first ballot, t h e y w e r e i n f o r m e d o f this, and told t h e y could apply again i f t h e y w e r e willing t o a c c e p t far m o r e s t r i n g e n t t e r m s o f e n t r y . S h o u l d t h e y a g r e e , a n d t h e s e c o n d application failed, t h e y w e r e g i v e n a last o p t i o n of e n t r y u n d e r really s t r i c t or u n p a l a t a b l e c o n d i t i o n s . I f t h e y still insisted despite t h e awful w a r n i n g s , t h e n t h e y h a d t o b e p r o v i s i o n a l l y a d m i t t e d u n d e r t h e t e r m s laid d o w n and t h e r e w a s n o b o d y t o b l a m e but t h e m s e l v e s i f t h i n g s w e n t w r o n g . F r o m t h a t point i t b e c a m e a c a s e o f c h a r a c t e r t r a i n i n g , c o m m a n d o style. It is doubtful if there w e r e many admissions of t h i s type, t h o u g h i t i s said A . E . W a i t e w a s a d m i t t e d t o t h e G o l d e n D a w n o n s u c h c o n d i t i o n s . N e v e r t h e l e s s , i t i s still c u s t o m a r y and advisable t o t r y d i s c o u r a g i n g and p u t t i n g o f f all e a g e r e n q u i r e r s . I f t h e y a r e p a t i e n t and p e r s i s t e n t , c o n t i n u i n g a p p r o a c h e s q u i e t l y and c o n f i d e n t l y , t h e y will find a c c e p t a n c e in t h e end, w h i l e if t h e y a r e easily b r u s h e d o f f and dissuaded, t h e y w o u l d b e u n s u i t a b l e souls for s e r i o u s spiritual w o r k , a n y w a y . In modern times, however, there is neither much need or o b l i g a t i o n t o j o i n u p physically w i t h a n y o r g a n i z a t i o n o n e a r t h l y levels i n o r d e r t o follow t h e magical w o r k w a y s o f t h e W e s t e r n I n n e r T r a d i t i o n . I n fact, t h o s e w i t h t r u l y deep m o t i v a t i o n s w o u l d b e b e s t advised t o avoid physical c o n t a c t w i t h " o r g a n i z e d o c c u l t i s m " , a n d c o n c e n t r a t e o n m a k i n g t h e i r o w n links directly w i t h I n n e r a s s o c i a t i o n s . E a c h individual m u s t l e a r n h o w t o live a s if t h e y t h e m s e l v e s w e r e a fully f a s h i o n e d and o p e r a t i v e T e m p l e h a v i n g a c o m p l e t e q u o t a of m e m b e r s , and following t h e rules and p r o c e d u r e s o f c u s t o m a r y magical p r a c t i c e . I n o t h e r w o r d s , a spiritual s y s t e m and discipline h a s to be s e t up a n d kept g o i n g a c c o r d i n g t o w h a t e v e r I n n e r o r d e r t h e soul i n q u e s t i o n i n t e n d s t o arrange within himself. M a n y people m i g h t s u p p o s e i t indispensable t o c o n s t r u c t a n a c t u a l magical T e m p l e p e r h a p s i n s o m e spare r o o m o f a h o u s e and c o n d u c t e l a b o r a t e c e r e m o n i e s t h e r e i n . H o w e v e r p l e a s a n t and
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e n j o y a b l e t h a t m i g h t be, i t i s n o t e s s e n t i a l a t all. T h e m a i n function of Western Magical T e m p l e s is to s h o w symbolically h o w p r a c t i t i o n e r s a r e supposed t o a r r a n g e t h e m s e l v e s inside t h e m s e l v e s . R e a l M a g i c a l T e m p l e s a r e factually t h e spiritual s t a t e o f o u r o w n i n n e r b e i n g s . O n c e t h e g e n e r a l g r o u n d - p l a n and l a y - o u t of a Magical T e m p l e is k n o w n and understood, anyone with k n o w l e d g e could r e p r o d u c e s u c h c o n d i t i o n s i n t h e m s e l v e s a t will, providing a d e q u a t e e f f o r t s at c o n s t r u c t i v e i m a g i n a t i o n and c o n c e n t r a t e d c o n s c i o u s n e s s had b e e n m a d e . T h a t i s t r u e e n o u g h , e v e n t h o u g h relatively few people a r e p r e p a r e d t o spend t h e t i m e and e n e r g y on such w o r k . At first it is a r d u o u s a n d u n r e w a r d i n g , b u t gradually i t i m p r o v e s and can e v e n b e f a s c i n a t i n g . S o m a n y a s p i r a n t s g i v e up d u r i n g t h e dull s t a g e s , h o w e v e r , being unwilling to sit still physically w h i l e b e c o m i n g i n t e n s e l y a c t i v e inside t h e m s e l v e s , w o r k i n g o n t h e practical j o b o f c o n s t r u c t i n g a conscious Temple. T h e typical p a t t e r n o f W e s t e r n M a g i c a l T e m p l e s i s v e r y simple and should be widely k n o w n , but a b r i e f capitulation h e r e m a y be helpful. A M a g i c a l T e m p l e of t h e W e s t is really a s e t of a l i g n m e n t s providing a practical plan for c o n s t r u c t i n g o n e ' s o w n S e l f - c o s m o s . T h e s e a l i g n m e n t s are s y m b o l i z e d t h r o u g h t h e t h r e e c o m p o n e n t s o f C o s m o s a s w e p e r c e i v e t h e m — T i m e , S p a c e , and E v e n t s . S p a c e is s y m b o l i z e d by a ceiling design r e p r e s e n t i n g H e a v e n , and a f l o o r design depicting E a r t h . T h i s u p r i g h t a l i g n m e n t signifies t h e r e l a t i o n o f a n individual initiate with D i v i n i t y a n d H u m a n i t y , plus all t h e l e s s e r o r d e r s o f Life. T i m e i s s h o w n by t h e four walls h a v i n g a d e c o r s u g g e s t i n g t h e s e a s o n s ; Spring in the East, S u m m e r in the S o u t h , A u t u m n in the West, and W i n t e r in t h e N o r t h . E a c h wall b e a r s its a p p r o p r i a t e M a g i c a l i n s t r u m e n t i n s o m e suitable s e t t i n g . E v e n t s a r e s y m b o l i z e d b y t h e r i t e s t h e m s e l v e s , taking place in r e l a t i o n s h i p to t h e c e n t r a l altar. T h i s a l t a r is n o r m a l l y of d o u b l e c u b e p r o p o r t i o n s , usually a wooden cupboard in which s o m e of the sacred vessels or symbols a r e kept. It is c o v e r e d w i t h a large s q u a r e c l o t h having c o r n e r tassels h a n g i n g a l m o s t t o t h e g r o u n d . S o m e t i m e s t h e c l o t h simply drapes a c r o s s t w o sides a b o u t h a l f w a y d o w n , and a f r o n t a l to suit s e a s o n s o r o c c a s i o n s faces t h e w o r k i n g p o s i t i o n . A n altar i s always c o n s i d e r e d " h o r n e d " a t its c o r n e r s . O c c a s i o n a l l y t h e r e m a y b e actual animal horns attached, customarily rams' or bullocks'
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h o r n s . T h e s e a r e r e m i n d e r s o f t h e incalculable d e b t w e o w e t h e a n i m a l k i n g d o m for all t h e sacrifices w e m a d e o f t h e m i n o r d e r t o build u p o u r civilization. U n t o l d millions o f t h e m h a v e died s o t h a t m a n k i n d lived. N o t o n l y h o r n e d b e a s t s , o f c o u r s e , but e v e r y kind o f c r e a t u r e . T h e n w e h a v e t o r e m e m b e r t h a t a n i m a l sacrifice w a s s u b s t i t u t e d for h u m a n life long a g o , until o u r p r e s e n t v e g e t a b l e sacrifice ( b r e a d a n d w i n e ) s u p e r v e n e d . S o h o r n s a r e s o m e t i m e s still s e e n o n m o d e r n a l t a r s a s m e m o r i a l s , o r else s y m b o l i z e d a s t a s s e l s or o t h e r d e c o r a t i o n s . A r o u n d t h e h o r n s is o f t e n looped a c o r d , s y m b o l i z i n g t h e u n i v e r s a l tie o f T r u t h binding life t o g e t h e r . It is also a r e m i n d e r t h a t sacrificial v i c t i m s w e r e o n c e tied literally u p o n a l t a r s , a s w e m u s t n o w bind o u r s e l v e s m e t a p h o r i c a l l y b y o b l i g a t i o n s a n d duties t o t h e basis o f o u r o w n beliefs. I n s o m e c a s e s a d e c o r a t i v e floral b o r d e r r u n s r o u n d t h e a l t a r top, in m e m o r y o f t h e g a r l a n d s c u s t o m a r i l y placed o n t h e h e a d s o f S a c r e d K i n g s and l a t e r t h e i r a n i m a l s u r r o g a t e s , s h o r t l y b e f o r e t h e i r sacrifice. O r i g i n a l l y , e v e r y f l o w e r and leaf h a d its o w n p a r t i c u l a r m e a n i n g , and t h e w h o l e g a r l a n d i t s e l f w a s a p r a y e r and b e n e d i c t i o n . T o d a y , a faint m e m o r y o f t h i s c o n t i n u e s i n v a s e s o f f l o w e r s placed on attar tops, m o s t l y in c h u r c h e s . A magical altar m o r e o f t e n b e a r s a lighted l a m p t o signify t h e S p i r i t w h o s e D i v i n e s p a r k s w e a r e , a l t h o u g h this l a m p m a y b e o f t h e h a n g i n g v a r i e t y a b o v e t h e c e n t e r o f t h e altar. T h i s leaves t h e a l t a r t o p free a s a w o r k i n g s u r f a c e for t h e s y m b o l s being e m p l o y e d a s foci for t h e force-flows in progress during the rites. I n W e s t e r n p r a c t i c e , t h e altar a n d its s y m b o l i s m s t a n d s for t h e c e n t r a l principle o f s e l f - s a c r i f i c e , c o r r e c t l y u n d e r s t o o d , w h i c h i s t h e focal point o f o u r w h o l e spiritual s t r u c t u r e . I t signifies t h e Priest-King, or "Melchizadekian" function of o u r magical Initiates. T h e " a n i m a l " sacrificed o n s u c h a n i n n e r a l t a r i s t h e l o w e r side o f o u r o w n n a t u r e s , and m o r e o v e r it h a s to be a willing victim, o f f e r i n g i t s e l f o u t o f p u r e love a l o n e . S u c h i s t h e c e n t r a l c o n c e p t a r o u n d w h i c h W e s t e r n M a g i c a l T e m p l e s a r e built. C o n s i d e r e d i n One s e n s e , it is t h e H o l y G r a i l idea in p r a c t i c e . H o w e v e r i n t e r p r e t e d , it is c e r t a i n l y t h e e s s e n t i a l m e a n i n g in o u r lives w h i c h holds all else t o g e t h e r as a c o s m o s in c o m m o n . A T e m p l e w i t h o u t an altar w o u l d be no m o r e t h a n a m u s e u m . T h e a l t a r is t h e pivot upon w h i c h e v e r y t h i n g t u r n s as a d y n a m i c r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n D i v i n i t y and H u m a n i t y .
104 / A N O U T L O O K O N O U R I N N E R W E S T E R N W A Y
T h e r e a r e m a n y o t h e r i t e m s o f ritual e q u i p m e n t u s e d i n W e s t e r n T e m p l e s b u t t h e y o n l y provide s u p p o r t i n g s y m b o l i s m . P e r h a p s an e x c e p t i o n is t h e Pillars, a pair of cylindrical u p r i g h t s , o n e b l a c k and t h e o t h e r w h i t e , u s u a l l y s o m e s e v e n t o e i g h t f e e t h i g h . T h e y s y m b o l i z e t h e a l t e r n a t e e x t r e m i t i e s o f Life, b e t w e e n w h i c h initiated individuals m u s t b e c o m e a s m e d i a t i n g middle Pillars o f P e r f e c t i o n . T h e y are c o n s t a n t r e m i n d e r s t h a t w e s h o u l d a l w a y s live and w o r k s o a s t o b a l a n c e a n d h a r m o n i z e o u r s e l v e s b e t w e e n oppositional f o r c e s . A n o t h e r m a j o r i t e m i s t h e S t a n d a r d , representing whatever M a s t e r - S y m b o l the Temple serves. T h i s could t a k e a n y f o r m f r o m a b a n n e r t o a n e l a b o r a t e s o r t o f s h r i n e . Its t a s k i s t o s h o w w h i c h e v e r aegis o f t h e W e s t i s b e i n g w o r k e d under. T h u s a T e m p l e devoted mainly to Q a b a l a h would s h o w a T r e e o f Life standard, a R o s i c r u c i a n o n e t h e R o s e - C r o s s , and s o forth. In some more modern W e s t e r n T e m p l e s , there is a growing t e n d e n c y t o place t h e a l t a r i n t o a W e s t e r n position, w i t h t h e S t a n d a r d b e h i n d and a b o v e it, and t h e Pillars b e f o r e it, t h u s making a sort of sanctuary concentrated into the West. T h e center o f t h e T e m p l e i s t h e n m a r k e d b y a s t r a i g h t S t a f f signifying " H e a v e n - E a r t h " pivotal l i n k a g e . T h e r e m a y n o t b e m a n y m o d e r n W e s t e r n e r s able t o f u r n i s h and o p e r a t e a physically w o r k i n g T e m p l e e n t i r e l y from t h e i r o w n r e s o u r c e s . A l a r g e n u m b e r p r o b a b l y c a n n o t find a q u i e t c o r n e r in their accommodation for a few minutes meditation. T h a t is why W e s t e r n p r a c t i t i o n e r s h a v e h a d t o learn t h e a r t o f s e l f - i n s u l a t i o n , s o t h a t t h e y are able t o t a k e t h e i r o w n T e m p l e s a r o u n d w i t h t h e m c o n s t a n t l y . It is n o t e a s y , but w i t h e n o u g h p r a c t i c e it b e c o m e s n a t u r a l and indeed e s s e n t i a l for m a i n t a i n i n g s o m e spiritual s a n i t y a m i d so-called civilized living o n e a r t h . A l m o s t a n y o n e can h a v e spiritual f e e l i n g s w h e n s i t u a t e d in t h e special a t m o s p h e r e of a T e m p l e o r c h u r c h . I t t a k e s real magical skill t o c r e a t e s u c h c o n d i t i o n s i n t h e m s e l v e s amid t h e r a c k e t o f m o d e r n a i r p o r t s , railways, or motorways. O n e is reminded of the old-time orators t r a i n i n g , p u t t i n g p e b b l e s in t h e m o u t h w h i l e s t a n d i n g on a seashore close to roaring waves. T h e y t h e n had to learn h o w to speak so as to be h e a r d c l e a r l y a b o v e t h e din. T h a t is similar to w h a t w o u l d - b e magi a r e faced w i t h i n o u r s o r t o f world. N o t h i n g but p a t i e n t and p e r s i s t e n t w o r k o v e r m a y b e m a n y y e a r s will d e v e l o p t h i s a r t t o any d e p e n d a b l e d e g r e e .
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T h e o n l y possible w a y t o c o n s t r u c t this vital " T e m p l e n o t made with hands" is by determinedly spending sufficient time and e f f o r t e a c h day at building it bit by bit w i t h c r e a t i v e i m a g i n a t i o n . T h i s should be at regular periods, such as ten minutes morning and e v e n i n g . It is b e s t to m a k e o u t a m e t h o d i c a l "building p r o g r a m " w i t h t h e help o f a n o t e b o o k , s o t h a t t h e w h o l e s t r u c t u r e i s c o v e r e d s y s t e m a t i c l y . F o r i n s t a n c e , o n e wall m i g h t b e i m a g i n e d o n e a c h o c c a s i o n s o t h a t all four w e r e c o v e r e d i n t w o days. T h e d o o r i s a t t h e N o r t h E a s t a n g l e , w h i c h i s t h e point o f e x i t and e n t r y a t t h e end o f W i n t e r and t h e b e g i n n i n g o f S p r i n g . T h e n a ceiling r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e h e a v e n s , a n d a floor depicting e a r t h c a n be added n e x t t i m e . T h e ceiling is o f t e n blue w i t h a c e n t r a l S o l a r s y m b o l , and floors m a y h a v e a n y t h i n g f r o m i n t r i c a t e m a z e patterns to conventional checkerboard squares, even ordinary floral d e s i g n s . D a y b y day, s o m e t h i n g else can b e added. T h e major Instruments; Sword, Rod, Cup, Shield, the Cord. T h e n the altar, i t e m b y i t e m . T h e n t h e Pillars, and t h e S t a n d a r d . E v e r y t h i n g h a s t o b e c o m e c l e a r e n o u g h i n c o n s c i o u s n e s s t o b e s e e n , felt, and e x p e r i e n c e d in u s e as if it w e r e solid a n d physical. T h a t is t h e really i m p o r t a n t part o f t h e e x e r c i s e s . It s h o u l d s c a r c e l y n e e d to be said t h a t t h i s w o r k is n o t h i n g w h a t e v e r , like " d a y - d r e a m i n g " . T h a t is m e r e l y a m a t t e r of a l l o w i n g t h e mind t o g r a z e , a s i t w e r e , o n p a s t u r e s o f its pleasing f a n c i e s . M a g i c a l e x e r c i s e s c o n s i s t o f c o n t r o l l i n g c o n s c i o u s n e s s w i t h will f o r p o s i t i v e p u r p o s e s . In t h e c a s e of this T e m p l e - m a k i n g , it is an e s s e n t i a l part o f t h e W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n , b e c a u s e i t c r e a t e s e n e r g y p a t t e r n s a l o n g I n n e r lines w h i c h a t t r a c t t h e a t t e n t i o n o f o t h e r L i f e - o r d e r s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h u s i n spirit. T h e s a m e w o r k would h a v e to be d o n e by individuals if t h e y h a d physical a c c e s s to m a g i c a l T e m p l e s e v e r y day o f t h e i r lives. N o t h i n g c a n e v e r s u b s t i t u t e for t h e T e m p l e w e all h a v e t o m a k e w i t h i n , and, actually, o f o u r s e l v e s . P e r h a p s t h e m o s t vital point t o realize d u r i n g t h e s e w o r k i n g s i s t h a t t h e s y m b o l s e m p l o y e d r e p r e s e n t real qualities o f being w h i c h w e a r e s u p p o s e d t o develop and u s e i n o u r o w n s e l v e s . F o r i n s t a n c e , t h e r e is n o t h i n g m a g i c a l in w a v i n g a s w o r d a r o u n d . T h e r e is g r e a t deal of m a g i c in calling up and e m p l o y i n g o u r i n h e r e n t " S w o r d q u a l i t i e s " o f k e e n n e s s , flexibility, p r e c i s i o n , e t c . , t o suit spiritual s i t u a t i o n s . T h e physical s y m b o l i s valid o n l y
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i n s o f a r as it helps us i n v o k e and u s e its i n n e r c o u n t e r p a r t in o u r own characters. So with each Temple symbol, a corresponding spiritual q u a l i t y h a s to be identified a n d focused in t h e consciousness of t h e constructor. Visualising and mind-forming t h e f i n e s t C u p i m a g i n a b l e i s i n s u f f i c i e n t b y itself. W i t h this a c t i o n m u s t go feelings of love a n d c o m p a s s i o n , a c a p a c i t y for b e i n g filled b y i n s p i r a t i o n , and e v e r y i n n e r ability a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e C u p symbol. T h a t is what making a T e m p l e of ourselves means. E v e n t h e f i n e s t T e m p l e e v e r made, h o w e v e r , w o u l d b e i n a d e q u a t e b y itself. W e a r e all s u r e l y a w a r e o f " a t m o s p h e r e s " held b y T e m p l e s , c h u r c h e s , and o t h e r c o n d e n s e r s o f spiritually d i r e c t e d c o n s c i o u s n e s s . O n e h a s o n l y t o e n t e r s u c h localities t o sense their "charge". T h e y vary from an intense to an inert degree o f i n n e r i n f l u e n c e . T h i s i s e n t i r e l y due t o t h e w o r k i n g s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s w i t h i n t h e a r e a o v e r a p e r s i s t e n t period o f systematic practice. M o r e o v e r , it is the result of exchanges b e t w e e n h u m a n and o t h e r classes of consciousness. T h e purpose of a T e m p l e , a f t e r all, is to provide facilities for c o m m u n i c a t i o n b e t w e e n H u m a n i t y and D i v i n i t y , c o n t a c t w i t h o n e ' s o w n H i g h e r S e l f . T h e T e m p l e also provides conscious links b e t w e e n o u r s e l v e s and o t h e r t y p e s o f Life t h a t a r e willing t o h e l p u s a d v a n c e a l o n g o u r p a r t i c u l a r path o f spiritual e v o l u t i o n . C o n t a c t s o f s u c h a n a t u r e b e c o m e possible o n l y b e c a u s e o f constant focusing of consciousness in regular and r h y t h m i c fashion. We have to set up a series of energy-impulses which may then be modulated by the contacting consciousness. T h e actual m e c h a n i s m o f t h i s c a n b e studied i n t h e u s e o f " m a n t r a s " , o r r e p e t i t i v e f o r m u l a s s u c h as t h o s e e m p l o y e d in t h e c a s e of a r o s a r y . O n l o w levels o f a w a r e n e s s , t h e p a r t i c i p a n t d i r e c t s a t t e n t i o n i n t o p r o d u c i n g a n i n t e n s e and r h y t h m i c c h a i n o f i m p u l s e s f o r m e d f r o m p o i n t e d p r a y e r s . G i v e n s u f f i c i e n t p o t e n c y and p e r s i s t e n c e , this a c t i o n a u t o m a t i c a l l y p r o d u c e s a " p e a k - p a t t e r n " r e c o g n i z a b l e by i n n e r i n t e l l i g e n c e s able t o r e c e i v e h u m a n — g e n e r a t e d f r e q u e n c i e s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s . I f willing t o r e s p o n d , t h e n o r m a l p r o c e d u r e i s t o b e a m r e c i p r o c a l a w a r e n e s s i n t o t h e a r e a o f h u m a n a c t i o n , and f r o m t h e m e e t i n g of t h o s e e n e r g i e s a m u t u a l " h a r m o n i c " is derived. T h i s i s g e n e r a l l y i n t e r m s w h i c h c a n o n l y b e a p p r e c i a t e d by a h i g h level of h u m a n a w a r e n e s s , usually as a s e n s e of a c k n o w l e d g e m e n t t h a t c a n n o t b e put i n t o m e r e w o r d s . W e d o n o t
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g e t o u r a n s w e r s i n a c t u a l w o r d s , but a s i n n e r c e r t a i n t i e s q u i t e a p a r t f r o m i n t e l l e c t u a l or r a t i o n a l s o u r c e s of self-supply. It is a question of knowing by "feel", rather than by reason. T h e s e inner contacts with higher-than-human types of consciousness, communicating through " T e m p l e conditions," are m a d e a t levels v e r y m u c h a b o v e o u r n o r m a l r a n g e o f s e n s o r y o r verbal interpretations. To translate them downwards into appreciable t e r m s o f o r d i n a r y u n d e r s t a n d i n g i s n o t o n l y v e r y difficult, but also u n r e l i a b l e . V e r y o f t e n t h e b e s t w e c a n d o i s accept c o n v e n i e n t a p p r o x i m a t i o n s . T h e physical p a r t o f o u r h u m a n anatomy is mainly unaware of such contacts unless sensitized by s t r e s s e s a f f e c t i n g its w e l l - b e i n g s u c h a s d r u g s , p r o l o n g e d fasting, t o x i f i c a t i o n , ill-health, s l e e p l e s s n e s s , o r o t h e r d a m a g i n g p r e s s u r e s . M o r e o v e r , s u c h s t r e s s - s t i m u l i usually r e s u l t i n v e r y c o n f u s i n g and i n a c c u r a t e i m p r e s s i o n s n e e d i n g a g r e a t deal of k n o w l e d g e a n d e x p e r i e n c e t o e v a l u a t e . All t h i n g s c o n s i d e r e d , i n t h e light o f p r e s e n t h u m a n p o t e n t i a l s , t h e w i s e s t c o u r s e t o t a k e i s t h a t o f simply " r e a c h i n g up" inside o u r s e l v e s , t h e n c o n v e r t i n g o u r c o n t a c t s t h e r e i n t o m o r e o r d i n a r y l a n g u a g e b y m e a n s o f adaptive symbology. D i f f e r e n t s o u l s h a v e varied e x p e r i e n c e s o f c o n t a c t s w i t h i n n e r s o u r c e s of c o n s c i o u s n e s s . F o r s o m e , it is like a s u d d e n flash taking a long t i m e to t r a n s l a t e a f t e r w a r d s . F o r o t h e r s , it could be a c o m b i n a t i o n o f s o u n d and vision. O t h e r s m i g h t simply h a v e a sense of "presence" which nevertheless imparts a satisfactory feeling d u r i n g its v i s i t a t i o n . T h e r e could e v e n b e a n a b s o l u t e l y bland and u n r e s p o n s i v e s o r t o f " w a l l " e n c o u n t e r e d , t h a t i n itself i s a c o n t a c t r e p r e s e n t i n g refusal o f c o m m u n i c a t i o n o n o n e side o r t h e o t h e r for s o m e definite r e a s o n . T h e r e a r e s o m a n y t y p e s o f i n n e r links w i t h s u p r a h u m a n c o n s c i o u s n e s s , it w o u l d be p o i n t l e s s t o list t h e m . W h a t really m a t t e r s i s t h a t people should b e e n c o u r a g e d t o try m a k i n g t h e i r o w n a s a n e x e r c i s e o f t h e i r spiritual e n e r g i e s . T h i s is t h e w h o l e idea of c o n s t r u c t i n g any kind of a Temple^ It e s s e n t i a l l y m e a n s calling t h e T e m p l e i n t o c o n s c i o u s n e s s i n and a r o u n d o n e s e l f , t h e n p r o c e e d i n g w i t h m e d i t a t i v e o r magical procedures according to intention. It takes only a m o m e n t to i m a g i n e o n e s e l f in a M a g i c a l T e m p l e s t r i k i n g a deeply r e v e r b e r a t ing g o n g , f o r e x a m p l e . T h a t m a k e s q u i t e a n e f f e c t i v e e x e r c i s e b y itself. T h e r e are m a n y b r i e f y e t v a l u a b l e e x e r c i s e s w h i c h only
108 / A N O U T L O O K O N
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occupy seconds of time, yet serve to maintain the necessary spiritual " c h a r g e " o f o u r T e m p l e s , providing t h e s e a r e m a d e w i t h sufficient frequency. F r o m a n ideal v i e w p o i n t , t h e r e i s n o t h i n g t o e q u a l t h e c o n s t a n t p e r f o r m a n c e of a r e g u l a r " O f f i c e " in a T e m p l e for k e e p i n g its " c h a r g e " u p t o m a x i m u m e f f i c i e n c y . A n O f f i c e c o n s i s t s o f d e v o t i o n a l and liturgical f o r m u l a e c o n s t r u c t e d i n cyclic s t y l e s o that a circular c o n t i n u u m of consciousness is operative t h r o u g h out the whole Time-Space-Event cosmos of a Temple. To u n d e r s t a n d this, it is o n l y n e c e s s a r y to t h i n k of a h e a v y f l y - w h e e l beautifully b a l a n c e d on its e x a c t a x i s . At first it r e q u i r e s m u c h effort to start it revolving very slowly. As one continues, h o w e v e r , t h e w h e e l will pick up m o m e n t u m until e v e n t u a l l y it is r e v o l v i n g a t a m a x i m u m r a t e r e l a t i v e t o t h e t o t a l e n e r g y input. Its r e v o l u t i o n s can t h e n b e utilized for p r o d u c t i v e p u r p o s e s . T h e s a m e principles are valid i n T e m p l e p r a c t i c e . T h e i m p o r t a n t point i s t h a t o n c e t h e cyclic e n e r g y r u n s a t n o r m a l w o r k i n g r a t e i t h a s t o b e m a i n t a i n e d b y r e g u l a r applications o f f r e s h f o r c e . T h e r e a l i t y of all this is easily c h e c k e d by a n u m b e r of visits to v a r i o u s t e m p l e s and c h u r c h e s . I t will b e f o u n d t h a t t h e R o m a n , O r t h o d o x , and A n g l i c a n C h r i s t i a n d e n o m i n a t i o n s , w h i c h p r a c t i c e r e g u l a r O f f i c e s and r h y t h m i c l i t u r g i e s , h a v e far m o r e m a r k e d and p o s i t i v e " a t m o s p h e r e s " . Additionally, t h o s e c h u r c h e s a r e g e n e r a l ly o p e n all day for p r a y e r and m e d i t a t i o n by individuals. In t h e c a s e o f n o n c o n f o r m i s t c h u r c h e s , t h e r e i s m o r e p r e a c h i n g o r social a c t i v i t i e s t h a n a c t i v e p r a y e r and m e d i t a t i o n . C o n s e q u e n t l y t h e y s e l d o m h a v e v e r y m a r k e d a t m o s p h e r e s , o f t e n feeling r a t h e r v a c a n t and aseptic o r " i n s t i t u t i o n a l " , r a t h e r t h a n " a l i v e " and i n s p i r a t i o n a l . A g r e a t deal depends on w h a t t r a n s p i r e s in t h e c o n s c i o u s n e s s o f t h e i r c o n g r e g a t i o n s . I f t h i s i s occupied w i t h s e c u l a r and c o m m o n p l a c e affairs during m e e t i n g s , t h e n n o t h i n g m o r e i m p o r t a n t i s likely t o l i n g e r a r o u n d t h e place w h e n e v e r y o n e has g o n e h o m e . T h e r e is also the probability that few, if any, of t h o s e people s p a r e a n o t h e r t h o u g h t for t h e i r c h u r c h during t h e i r a b s e n c e . T h i s m a k e s a c o n s i d e r a b l e loss o f a c t i v e e n e r g y for its a t m o s p h e r e . I f t h e y had k n o w n o r c a r e d e n o u g h t o c o n c e n t r a t e o n t h e i r c h u r c h and f o m u l a t e e v e n a f e w b r i e f d e v o t i o n s e a c h day, t h e r e w o u l d be a v e r y d e f i n i t e d i f f e r e n c e n o t i c e d in its " c h a r g e " w h e n a full c o n g r e g a t i o n g a t h e r e d t o g e t h e r . T h e r e f o r e t h e basic e s s e n t i a l s o f building magical T e m p l e s i n
Towards
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t h e W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n a r e t h e s e . F i r s t , learn h o w t o c r e a t e t h e m c o n s c i o u s l y w i t h i n o n e ' s o w n being a c c o r d i n g t o t h e s y s t e m o f s y m b o l s followed. N e x t , d e v e l o p t h e d y n a m i s m o f t h i s d e s i g n b y r h y t h m i c and r e g u l a r r i t u a l u s a g e . T h e n s e e k i n n e r c o n t a c t t h r o u g h this s c h e m e w i t h t h e h i g h e r side o f o n e ' s o w n n a t u r e , and t h r o u g h t h a t again, c o m m u n i o n w i t h s u p e r i o r spiritual o r d e r s o f living. T h e e n t i r e f a b r i c o f W e s t e r n i n i t i a t i o n h a n g s o n this f r a m e w o r k , and all i n n e r i n s t r u c t i o n s r e a c h i n g i n i t i a t e s f r o m senior sources come t h r o u g h some such structure. T h e r e are v a r i o u s t y p e s and l a y - o u t s o f T e m p l e s , t o b e s u r e , but t h e f u n d a m e n t a l principles apply t h r o u g h o u t . M o s t y o u n g a n d e a g e r a s p i r a n t s are chiefly c o n c e r n e d w i t h what to do in their Temples, while more experienced members of t h e M y s t e r i e s a r e m a i n l y o c c u p i e d w i t h w h a t t o f e e . T h o s e looking for a c t i v e o u t l e t s a r e f r e q u e n t l y b o t h e r e d b y a n a p p a r e n t lack o f m a g i c a l m a t e r i a l specifically available for practical p u r p o s e s . W h e r e , t h e y ask wistfully, a r e all t h e w o n d e r f u l w r i t t e n rituals c a l c u l a t e d t o p r o d u c e r e p u t e d l y m a r v e l o u s r e s u l t s b y acting o u t t h e i r s c r i p t s ? It is difficult i n d e e d to c o n v i n c e e n t h u s i a s t i c hopefuls t h a t s u c h r i t u a l s do n o t e x i s t as specifics at all. E v e r y t h i n g depends upon individual a n d c o l l e c t i v e ability to link u p w i t h i n n e r p o w e r - s u p p l i e s . S o m e a r e able t o d o t h i s w i t h a m i n i m u m o r a b s e n c e o f w o r d s and m o t i o n s , a n d o t h e r s m i g h t p u s h t h r o u g h p r o c e d u r e s for h o u r s until n e a r l y e x h a u s t e d . I t i s n o t s o m u c h t h e scripting and s t a g e d i r e c t i o n s o f a ritual w h i c h give i t i m p o r t a n c e , b u t t h e spiritual ability o f w h o e v e r w o r k s w i t h it. T h e u n s p o k e n and i m p e r c e p t i b l e p a r t s o f a g e n u i n e o c c u l t ritual a r e c o m m o n l y o f m u c h g r e a t e r i m p o r t a n c e t h a n its physically e x p r e s s e d c o m p o n e n t s . T h o s e vital and s e c r e t f a c t o r s are b e y o n d v e r b a l definition. T h e y a r e o n l y c o m p r e h e n s i b l e t o w h o e v e r can r e a c h t h e m a s i n n e r r e a l i t i e s along lines o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s r a t h e r above or outside average human range. O n e c u s t o m a r i l y b e g i n s b y practicing v e r y simple ritual w o r k i n g s o f t h e W e s t o v e r and o v e r again i n s e a r c h o f d e e p e r and d e e p e r spiritual s i g n i f i c a n c e and e x p e r i e n c e . F o r i n s t a n c e , lighting a l a m p or candle. E x t e r n a l l y s u c h an e a s y act, i n t e r n a l l y it should be e v o c a t i v e of i l l u m i n a t i o n on spiritual levels. It m a y m a r k a p o s i t i o n , indicate a n i n t e n t i o n , o r h a v e q u i t e a n u m b e r o f distinct m e a n i n g s . W h a t e v e r t h e p u r p o s e m a y be, i t h a s t o b e clearly called i n t o c o n s c i o u s n e s s and f o c u s e d i n t o b r i g h t and b u r n i n g reality.
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T h e action has to be practiced and practiced, until lighting a candle " s p a r k s o f f a s t a t e o f i n n e r a w a r e n e s s . T h e m a g i c o f t h e act lies entirely with the inward condition associated with the outward symbol. It may not seem very interesting or enterprising to keep p o u n d i n g a w a y a t w h a t l o o k like e l e m e n t a r y e x e r c i s e s w i t h a l m o s t primitive symbols, but W e s t e r n magical practice is firmly rooted i n s u c h self-disciplines. T h o s e w h o c a n n o t s e e t h e i r s i g n i f i c a n c e , o r w h o feel t o o s e l f - i m p o r t a n t t o b o t h e r w i t h t h e m , are unlikely t o m a k e m u c h real p r o g r e s s o n t h e W e s t e r n I n n e r W a y . I t t a k e s a s m u c h skill and p r a c t i c e at t h i s art as it w o u l d for a m u s i c i a n l e a r n i n g to h a n d l e t o n e s in c o m p o s i n g a s o n a t a , or an a u t h o r to c o m b i n e w o r d s and ideas i n t o a r e a d a b l e w o r k o n s o m e definite topic. A W e s t e r n m a g i c a l p r a c t i t i o n e r is e x p e c t e d to deal w i t h t h e " A l p h a b e t " , " g r a m m a r " , a n d o t h e r basics o f t h e art, i n o r d e r t o put a full ritual p r o d u c t i o n i n t o p r a c t i c e . T h e r e i s n o d e n y i n g t h a t only v e r y m a r k e d a l t e r a t i o n s i n W e s t e r n c o n s c i o u s n e s s can possibly s a v e o u r spiritual s t r u c t u r e from d e g e n e r a t i v e d i s i n t e g r a t i o n . N e v e r t h e l e s s , t h a t fact has t o b e faced. W e n e e d n o w , a s i n t h e past, " P r i e s t - K i n g - S a v i o r s " p r e p a r e d t o d e v o t e t h e i r lives i n t h e c a u s e o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s changing on behalf of o t h e r souls. T h i s happened before on many o c c a s i o n s i n o u r W e s t e r n h i s t o r y , b u t p e r h a p s t h e n e c e s s i t y has n e v e r p r o v e d s o g r e a t a s a t p r e s e n t . W h e r e shall w e find o u r modern magical " L i b e r a t o r s " taking up the challenge to our Tradition on behalf of their bewildered b r e t h r e n ?
7. If We Would Stand
T h e p r i m a r y p u r p o s e o f life i n t h e W e s t i s t h e c r e a t i o n o f a u n i q u e l y W e s t e r n soul. U n l e s s t h i s aim is fulfilled to a sufficient d e g r e e , o u r lives h a v e little real m e a n i n g . T h i s w h o l e i n n e r s t r u c t u r e o f o u r e t h o s faces t h e m o s t s u b t l e a n d d a n g e r o u s t h r e a t t o its i n t e g r i t y i t h a s p r o b a b l y h a d d u r i n g its e n t i r e h i s t o r y . T o r e c o g n i z e t h e r e a l i t y o f o u r perilous p o s i t i o n n e e d s o n l y a n i n t e l l i g e n t g l a n c e a t t h e painfully o b v i o u s t r e n d s a n d i m p l i c a t i o n s o f o u r c u r r e n t and p r o j e c t e d c o u r s e o f "civilization". O n c e , history was made by h u m a n s out of their o w n e x p e r i e n c e s . N o w it is being i n c r e a s i n g l y w r i t t e n by c o m p u t e r s in advance of events. T h e s e are controlled by concentrated consort i u m s t h a t could e v e n t u a l l y d e t e r m i n e t h e d e s t i n y o f all m a n k i n d . N o c o m p u t e r h a s , o r e v e r will h a v e , t h e p o w e r t o i n j u r e h u m a n souls a n d spirits e x c e p t t h r o u g h t h e i r o w n c o n s e n t and c o o p e r a t i o n . A t t h e s a m e t i m e , w e a r e n o t c o m p e l l e d t o s e e k souls and individual i m m o r t a l i t y for o u r s e l v e s . A s e n t i t i e s , w e a r e free t o " b e o r n o t - t o - b e " a s w e will. F r e e d o m o f s u c h a n u l t i m a t e s o r t , h o w e v e r , h a s n e v e r s u i t e d t h e aims o f t h o s e i n t e r e s t e d i n a c a u c u s - c o n t r o l l e d civilization. T o hold t h e m i n p e r m a n e n t p o s t s o f p o w e r , t h e y n e e d t h e c o n t i n u a l s u p p o r t o f a s l a v e - s o c i e t y willing t o w o r k a s obliged b y t h e o l i g a r c h y .
112 / A N O U T L O O K O N O U R
INNER WESTERN WAY
T o r u n a c o m p u t e r i z e d s o c i e t y for t h e p l e a s u r e and profit o f its o w n e r s , i t i s s t r i c t l y n e c e s s a r y t h a t t h e h u m a n a g g r e g a t e c o n c e r n e d s h o u l d b e p r e d i c t a b l e and c a l c u l a b l e t o t h e h i g h e s t possible d e g r e e . U n l e s s this c a n b e c o n t r i v e d , t h e s c h e m e i s b u t partially practical. H e n c e w e h a v e t h e h o r r i f y i n g p i c t u r e o f h u m a n s b e c o m i n g c o m p u t e r - c o m p l i a n t c r e a t u r e s , p r o c e s s e d and conditioned by every scientific resource into conformity with whatever "norm" the "central committee" demands. This is no science-fiction fantasy, but a frightening probability of our very close future. W i t h i n t h e c o n t e x t o f prevailing c o n d i t i o n s , t h e magical b r a n c h o f o u r W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n s e e m s b e s t placed a s a kind o f " R e s i s t a n c e M o v e m e n t " f u n c t i o n i n g a s f r e e l y a s possible inside the imposed strictures of society enforced on us by current "civilization". T h e r e i s n o t h i n g n e w i n t h i s . P a s t h i s t o r y p r o v e s t h a t i n e v e r y g e n e r a t i o n s i n c e r e s e e k e r s o f spiritual i n d e p e n d e n c e have always had to safeguard their integrity t h r o u g h confidential p r o c e d u r e s a m o n g t h e i r special circles. I n t h o s e days t h a t could b e d o n e q u i t e practically, b u t n o w t h i n g s a r e e n t i r e l y d i f f e r e n t . T h e r e i s n o o r g a n i z a t i o n o f m o d e r n t i m e s w h i c h could n o t b e p e n e t r a t e d b y c o u n t e r - i n t e r e s t s , providing s u f f i c i e n t m o n e y a n d t a l e n t a r e f o r t h c o m i n g for t h a t p u r p o s e . T h e r e f o r e , t o s u p p o s e s o m e type of almost revolutionary " S e c r e t Society of the W e s t " working in opposition to established authoritarianism would be totally u n r e a l i s t i c . A l t o g e t h e r d i f f e r e n t o u t l o o k s h a v e t o b e adopted i f o u r I n n e r T r a d i t i o n i s t o o f f e r spiritual s a n c t u a r y f r o m f o r c e s a i m i n g a t its u l t i m a t e s u p p r e s s i o n . M a n y people t h i n k i n g along o t h e r lines s u p p o s e it m i g h t be a wonderful s c h e m e to set up some great centralized organization o n e a r t h t o p r o p a g a t e and p u s h o u r W e s t e r n I n n e r W a y i n t o w o r l d p r o m i n e n c e . T h e y p r e s u m e t h a t w i t h h u g e a m o u n t s o f capital, publicity, and all available m o d e r n m e a n s o f p r e s s u r i n g people, w e w o u l d n o t fail t o m a r k e t o u r " T r a d i t i o n p r o d u c t s " a m o n g m a n k i n d w i t h m a x i m u m e f f e c t . N o t h i n g , i n fact, w o u l d possibly c a u s e i t m o r e h a r m o r r u n i t c l o s e r t o ruin. T h e e n t i r e e s s e n c e o f o u r T r a d i t i o n i s t h a t e a c h o f u s m u s t e a r n and e x p e r i e n c e i n n e r e m a n c i p a t i o n w i t h i t b y his o r h e r o w n e f f o r t s . Finding t h e l i n k a g e s leading i n t o o u r s e c r e t circles o f spiritual c o m p a n i o n s h i p i s a n indispensible p a r t o f o u r p e r f e c t i o n p r o g r a m . W e all h a v e t o
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o p e n o u r i n w a r d e y e s and l o o k for t h o s e leads o n o u r individual accounts. T h e o n l y s a n e c o u r s e i s for m o d e r n W e s t e r n " m a g i c a l s " t o f o r m small, individualized e n c l a v e s t h r o u g h w h i c h t h e T r a d i t i o n will s u r v i v e . T h a t i s t h e usual w a y T r a d i t i o n s e s c a p e e x t i n c t i o n w h e n t h r e a t e n e d o n m u n d a n e levels o f life. L i k e a n y o t h e r living r o o t i n t h e face o f a p p r o a c h i n g w i n t e r , t h e y r e t i r e g r a c e f u l l y u n d e r g r o u n d a n d g r o w s t r o n g e r w h i l e w a i t i n g for a m o r e c o n g e n i a l c l i m a t e o n e a r t h . T h i s t i m e , h o w e v e r , w e shall h a v e t o l e a r n q u i t e n e w t e c h n i q u e s t o deal w i t h n e w d a n g e r s . It probably sounds rather drastic to suggest comparisons b e t w e e n t h e survival s y s t e m s o f m a g i c a l T r a d i t i o n a l i s t s a n d c o n v e n t i o n a l guerilla g r o u p s , o r " c e l l s " , b u t a r e s e m b l a n c e h a s t o be seen because of one c o m m o n factor. H u m a n experience has p r o v e d t h i s t h e o n l y practical w a y for ideological m i n o r i t i e s t o r e m a i n a c t i v e and t r u e to t h e i r beliefs w h i l e living a m o n g a largely i n d i f f e r e n t , u n s u p p o r t i v e , or a n t i p a t h e t i c s o c i e t y . It e n t a i l s a virtually dual e x i s t e n c e or "life w i t h i n a life". O n e is o p e n l y s h a r e d w i t h o r d i n a r y fellow m o r t a l s . T h e o t h e r i s lived e i t h e r i n s o l i t a r y s e c r e c y , or s h a r e d o n l y w i t h a v e r y f e w souls w h o can literally be t r u s t e d w i t h e a c h o t h e r ' s lives s h o u l d n e c e s s i t y a r i s e . T o s o m e e x t e n t t h e r e is a parallel w i t h t h e c a s e of an i n t e l l i g e n c e a g e n t living u n d e r an a s s u m e d p e r s o n a l i t y in a f o r e i g n c o u n t r y . A long t i m e a g o it w a s l e a r n e d t h a t t h e a b s o l u t e m a x i m u m n u m b e r o f people for f o r m i n g a magical g r o u p i n g w a s t w e l v e h u m a n s c e n t e r i n g r o u n d a single spiritual n u c l e u s . M o r e o v e r , t h e y had to be e x a c t l y in b a l a n c e w i t h e a c h o t h e r , m a k i n g a. truly p r o p o r t i o n e d circle i n e v e r y s e n s e . U n l e s s e a c h m e m b e r o f s u c h a n ideal a s s o c i a t i o n w a s p r e c i s e l y t h e r i g h t s o r t o f soul for his p a r t i c u l a r position t h e r e i n , t h e w h o l e affair w o u l d be b o u n d to fall apart o r p r o d u c e little b u t t r o u b l e and p r o b l e m s f o r e v e r y o n e . T h e difficulties of a s s e m b l i n g a fully f u n c t i o n i n g W e s t e r n M a g i c a l circle a r e u n b e l i e v a b l e . T h e r e f o r e , a n y a u t h e n t i c w o r k i n g g r o u p s o f t h e W e s t t h e s e days a r e likely t o b e s m a l l i n n u m b e r s and e x c e p t i o n a l l y s e l e c t i v e o f m e m b e r s h i p . T h e y w o u l d definitely n o t advertise their relationship or deliberately attract attention to t h e m s e l v e s i n o t h e r t h a n q u i t e o r d i n a r y capacities. I n o t h e r w o r d s , t h e y w o u l d b e h a v e in a p r o f e s s i o n a l a n d r e s p o n s i b l e m a n n e r regarding a c o m m o n cause they believed of supreme i m p o r t a n c e t o t h e i r lives.
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S u c h a n a t t i t u d e i s h i g h l y c o m m e n d a b l e . S o m a n y people " t a k i n g u p m a g i c " h a v e a n o v e r w h e l m i n g u r g e t o " g e t a little g r o u p t o g e t h e r " f o r s e l f - g l o r i f i c a t i o n and o t h e r equally w r o n g r e a s o n s . T h i s i s n a t u r a l e n o u g h , b u t usually b r i n g s u n h a p p i n e s s and difficulties to all i n v o l v e d R e l a t i o n s a r e artificially a s s u m e d w i t h n o b a l a n c e d basis o r c o m p a t i b i l i t i e s o f c h a r a c t e r , t o s a y n o t h i n g a b o u t q u i t e u s u a l r u l e s o f c o m m o n s e n s e a n d c u s t o m for f o r m i n g s u c h i n t i m a t e and i m p o r t a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s . T h e u n c o m promising standard which W e s t e r n magical w o r k e r s should set t h e m s e l v e s t h e s e days i s t h a t n o n e s h o u l d c o m e t o g e t h e r i n t o m u n d a n e circles w h o c a n n o t already balance their own beings by t h e m s e l v e s . O n l y p r o p e r l y t r a i n e d and disciplined f o l l o w e r s o f t h e W e s t e r n I n n e r W a y s h o u l d b e allowed t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n m a g i c a l circles o p e r a t i n g a m o n g m a n k i n d a t this level o f life. T h i s m i g h t s e e m a v e r y rigid r u l e , b u t it is n e e d e d for t h e s a k e of s e c u r i t y a m o n g t h e m o s t e f f e c t i v e (and t h e r e f o r e t h e least replaceable) m e m b e r s of our incarnate magical force. S o w h e r e a r e " b e g i n n e r s " and " c a t c h e r s u p " t o o b t a i n t h e n e e d e d e x p e r i e n c e a n d t r a i n i n g w h i c h will bring t h e m t o a c c e p t a b l e s t a n d a r d s for s e r v i c e i n a r e a s a f f e c t i n g o u r e a r t h l y lives? N o w a d a y s , t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y for t h i s lies h e a v i l y o n t h e i r o w n s h o u l d e r s . A n y a v e r a g e adult i n o u r t i m e s s h o u l d h a v e a c c e s s t o all i n f o r m a t i o n n e e d e d t o t r a i n t h e m s e l v e s i n t h e e l e m e n t s o f m a g i c f r o m public l i b r a r i e s a n d s i m i l a r s o u r c e s . W h e n a n d i f s o u l s b e c o m e r e a d y and a r e n e e d e d for close c o - o p e r a t i o n i n s o m e a c t i v e circle o f W e s t e r n m a g i c a l w o r k i n g , t h e y will s u r e l y b e guided t o w a r d s i t b y " i n n e r invisible h a n d s " . E v e n s o , t h e o n u s o f r e c o g n i z i n g t h e validity o f t h a t circle r e m a i n s v e r y m u c h w i t h t h e souls i n q u e s t i o n . M u t u a l a c c e p t a n c e h a s t o c o m e f r o m t h e d e e p e s t i n n e r levels o f u n d e r s t a n d i n g . F e w people w h o are "just interested in the occult" ever seem t o a p p r e c i a t e h o w delicately and carefully t h e d y n a m i s m o f individual o r c o l l e c t i v e m a g i c a l circles h a s t o b e b a l a n c e d and maintained before becoming of much value to our Tradition. To k e e p g o i n g p r o p e r l y t h e y n e e d a d e q u a t e s a f e g u a r d s f r o m inimical influences, just as the w o r k s of a watch must be protected from a i r - b o r n e dirt, o r a n o p e r a t i n g t h e a t e r f r o m d a n g e r o u s i n f e c t i o n s . I n t h e c a s e o f m a g i c a l c i r c l e s , this m e a n s a v o i d a n c e o f h u m a n i n s t a b i l i t i e s o n o n e side, a n d i n n e r e q u i v a l e n t s o n t h e o t h e r . T h i s could t a k e t h e l i f e w o r k o f q u i t e a n u m b e r o f people o v e r s e v e r a l
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i n c a r n a t i o n s t o a c h i e v e . S m a l l w o n d e r t h e y will g o t o s o m u c h t r o u b l e in s a f e g u a r d i n g so v a l u a b l e a c r e a t i o n of t h e i r c o n s c i o u s n e s s . T h e y a r e p r e p a r e d t o p r o t e c t i t w i t h e v e r y possible precaution imaginable. O u r modern security s y s t e m s mostly derive from old-time L o d g e and T e m p l e c u s t o m s i n v e n t e d p u r e l y t o g u a r a n t e e t h e i n t e g r i t y o f t h e i r m e t h o d s and m e m b e r s . All t h e e l a b o r a t e r e c o g n i t i o n c o d e s , p a s s w o r d s , grips, c y p h e r s , c h a l l e n g e s , a n d other c u m b e r s o m e procedures were employed so that initiates of t h e M y s t e r i e s could p r a c t i c e t h e i r beliefs w i t h o u t a n n o y a n c e o r i n t e r f e r e n c e . V e r y o f t e n s u c h simple s e c u r i t y m e a s u r e s m a d e t h e d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n life and d e a t h . T h e r e is n o t h i n g like a t h r e a t of t o r t u r e and deprival o f t h e w o r s t kind for m a k i n g people t a k e m a x i m u m c a r e o f t h e i r c o n d u c t and set i n n e r s e n t i n e l s o v e r e v e r y word they utter. W h e n only secrecy may save t h e m from a feared fate, t h e y s o o n b e c a m e c r e a t u r e s o f e x t r e m e c a u t i o n . T e m p l e s and L o d g e s l e a r n e d this long a g o , and t h e principles behind t h e i r practices extended into military, commercial, and almost e v e r y o t h e r field of h u m a n a c t i v i t y until " S e c u r i t y " is virtually a household word. A n awful lot o f r u b b i s h h a s b e e n w r i t t e n and s u p p o s e d a b o u t " o c c u l t s e c r e c y " . M a n y s e e m t o t h i n k this m e a n s a f e w privileged people sitting on a m y s t e r i o u s mountain of a d v a n t a g e o u s i n f o r m a tion t h e y a r e d e l i b e r a t e l y w i t h h o l d i n g f r o m t h o s e t h e y c o n s i d e r u n w o r t h y to share such wisdom. It means nothing of the sort. In t h e main, i t signifies little m o r e t h a n t h e q u i t e n o r m a l c o n f i d e n c e s h u m a n s o f a n y c l o s e alliance o b s e r v e t o g e t h e r for t h e s a k e o f c o m m o n integrity. Like "family secrets", for instance, or intimacies t o o p r e c i o u s for p u b l i c a t i o n t o o u t s i d e r s . T h e s e c r e c y observed among trained Traditionalists is generally practiced on t w o levels, i n t e r n a l l y a n d e x t e r n a l l y . E x t e r n a l s e c r e c y w o u l d apply t o s u c h affairs a s identities o f m e m b e r s o r c l u e s leading t o t h e s e , l o c a t i o n s o f m e e t i n g places, t h i n g s d o n e o r d i s c u s s e d t o g e t h e r , and so forth. Internal secrecy is observed in c o m m o n concerning m a t t e r s w h i c h should o n l y b e s h a r e d o n p u r e l y spiritual levels a b o v e t h e r a n g e o f w o r d s o r i n t e l l e c t u a l a r g u m e n t s . T h a t i s t o say, t h i n g s like individual i n n e r e x p e r i e n c e s and r e a l i z a t i o n s r e a c h e d in dimensions of awareness much wider than those of material limitations.
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T h i s last m a y b e v e r y difficult for " n o n - m a g i c a l s " t o g r a s p . T h e y m i g h t t h i n k q u i t e logically: " I f t h o s e people really d o h a v e remarkable or interesting experiences in themselves, w h y shouldn't t h e y talk a b o u t t h e s e t o g e t h e r and m e n t i o n w h a t e v e r t h e y l i k e ? " T h o s e t h i n k i n g t h a t w a y h a v e m i s s e d t h e point e n t i r e l y . S p i r i t u a l s e c r e c y i s o n l y kept o n " g r o u n d l e v e l " i n o r d e r t o e n c o u r a g e a t t e n t i o n a w a y f r o m t h a t point t o w a r d i n n e r a r e a s o f a w a r e n e s s w h i c h could o t h e r w i s e b e m i s s e d b y e x p l o r i n g c o n s c i o u s n e s s . P u t c r u d e l y , i t m i g h t b e said: " D o n ' t drag t h i n g s d o w n t o e a r t h w h i c h a r e b e s t c l i m b e d u p t o a n d lived w i t h o n t h e i r n a t u r a l l e v e l s . " It is e n t i r e l y a q u e s t i o n of v a l u e s . W h i c h is b e t t e r for h u m a n s o u l s — t o t r y f o r c i n g o u r h i g h e s t faculties i n t o faulty and a b n o r m a l focus o n e a r t h , o r learn h o w t o live happily w h i l e using t h e m i n t h e i r o w n a p p r o p r i a t e s p h e r e s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s ? T h e a n s w e r s h o u l d b e o b v i o u s . S o , b y using simple s e c u r i t y techniques among themselves as ordinary human, initiates of m a g i c a l p r a c t i c e a r e able t o s h a r e e a c h o t h e r ' s i n n e r lives a s t h o s e a r e m o s t fully e x p e r i e n c e d , o n c o m m o n g r o u n d s o f spiritual a w a r e n e s s w h e r e t h e y will n o t b e i n t e r f e r e d with. T h i s particular point is of much importance nowadays. E v e r y o n e k n o w s that electronic "bugging" makes privacy a difficult m a t t e r , b u t t h e r e a r e o t h e r w a y s o f invading along i n n e r lines c o n n e c t e d w i t h c o n s c i o u s n e s s itself. T h o u g h t s a r e n o t e x a c t l y s o s e c r e t a s t h e y w e r e . T o avoid i n t e r c e p t i o n and deliberate distortion of consciousness by antipathetic agencies, q u i t e n e w p r o c e d u r e s h a v e t o b e w o r k e d o u t and adopted. T h o u g h there may always be ways around, over, under, or through any obstacle, those efforts take an enormous consumption of energy f r o m e v e r y field o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s . E a c h m a g i c a l circle has o n l y its l i m i t e d supply. If a l a r g e p e r c e n t a g e is n e e d e d to o p e r a t e an e f f e c t i v e s e c u r i t y s y s t e m , t h e r e will b e s o m u c h t h e less for putting to other purposes. Nevertheless, without security meas u r e s a t all, t h e r e w o u l d b e v i r t u a l l y n o t h i n g w o r t h m u c h i n t h e end, a n y w a y . I n f o r m e r days t h e r e l i g i o u s O r d e r s , w h i c h b a s e d t h e m s e l v e s v e r y g r e a t l y o n o l d e r m a g i c a l and m y s t i c a l a s s o c i a t i o n s , realized the enormous importance of caution with consciousness. It was largely d u r i n g early s t a g e s o f t r a i n i n g a l o n e t h a t topics o f religion o r t h e o l o g y w e r e dealt w i t h i n w o r d s o r direct d i s c u s s i o n . T h e
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m o r e t h a t i n i t i a t e s actually l e a r n e d along t h o s e lines t h e less t h e y talked a b o u t s u c h s u b j e c t s a n d t h e b e t t e r t h e y b e g a n t o live t h e m instead. Eventually they o u t g r e w inclinations to argue or express t h e i r beliefs a t all, and d i s c o v e r e d h o w t o e x p e r i e n c e i n n e r realities a m o n g t h e m s e l v e s w i t h o u t n e e d for w o r d s w h a t e v e r . F o r t h a t reason they instituted "silent periods" during which they might enjoy each other's company through purely inner channels of c o m m u n i o n linking i n w i t h h i g h e r o r d e r s o f i n t e l l i g e n c e also. Audibly u t t e r e d h u m a n l a n g u a g e t o t h e m h a d b e c o m e m e r e l y a v e r y c o m m o n - p l a c e m e a n s n e e d e d o n t h e i r l o w e s t levels o f living. S o all t h e y talked a b o u t b y w o r d o f m o u t h t e n d e d t o b e q u i t e p r o s a i c , f o r m a l , a m u s i n g , o r r e l a t i v e l y trivial. I n b e t w e e n t h o s e e x t r e m e s t h e y c e l e b r a t e d , s u n g , and c h a n t e d s e r v i c e s providing a sonic symbolism conjoining both ends of their existence. T h u s t h e y s w u n g r o u n d t h e cycles o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s d u r i n g t h e c o u r s e o f e a c h day. F o r t h e m , s i l e n c e w a s n o u n s o c i a b l e o b l i g a t i o n o f any kind. T o t h e c o n t r a r y , i t w a s a w a r m and w e l c o m e o p p o r t u n i t y for c o m i n g i n t o t h e m o s t i n t i m a t e c o n t a c t w i t h e a c h o t h e r ' s spiritual reality i n c l o s e s t c o m p a n y w i t h C o s m i c C o n s c i o u s n e s s Itself. L o v e r s able to find " w h o l e f u l f i l m e n t " in e a c h o t h e r to a point w h e r e t h e s o f t e s t w h i s p e r e d w o r d would b e s h e e r s a c r i l e g e m i g h t u n d e r s t a n d s o m e t h i n g o f this. S o will " m a g i c a l s " w i t h e x p e r i e n c e o f a W e s t w o r k i n g circle o f c o m p a n i o n s . T h e y n o l o n g e r s e e k t r u e wisdom in the arguments, opinions, or verbiage of others, no m a t t e r h o w c l e v e r o r c o n v i n c i n g i t m a y s e e m . I n s t e a d , t h e y look for e n l i g h t e n m e n t w i t h i n t h e m s e l v e s , a c c o m p a n i e d b y t r u s t e d and t r a i n e d friends in t h e b e s t s e n s e of t h a t w o r d . It is s c a r c e l y s u r p r i s i n g t h e y a r e c o n c e r n e d s o m u c h w i t h p r o t e c t i n g and preserving something which matters most to them within the T r a d i t i o n t h e y s w e a r t o s e r v e w i t h all t h e i r spiritual s t r e n g t h . It is usually difficult for folk, living in c o u n t r i e s w h e r e a p p a r e n t " f r e e s p e e c h " i s n o r m a l , t o realize t h e value and i m p o r t a n c e o f spiritual s e c u r i t y . I f t h e y lived i n lands w h e r e t h e y w e r e liable t o a r r e s t and i m p r i s o n m e n t for voicing u n p e r m i t t e d ideas t h e y would learn fast e n o u g h . W e s t e r n e r s r a r e l y s e e precisely why certain g o v e r n m e n t s should stamp so severely on t h o s e e x p r e s s i n g p r o h i b i t e d beliefs. W h y t h e e l a b o r a t e and e x p e n s i v e s e t - u p o f s e c r e t police, s u r v e i l l a n c e s y s t e m s , political p r i s o n s , a s y l u m s , c o r r e c t i o n c e n t e r s , and all else e m p l o y e d at s t a t e e x p e n s e , j u s t to p r e v e n t w h a t l o o k s like a few little people talking
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a b o u t t h e i r p a r t i c u l a r ideas. In o u r e y e s it o f t e n s e e m like u s i n g a j a c k h a m m e r to crack an eggshell. F r o m a magical viewpoint, those suppressive measures e n f o r c e d at s u c h a s t a g g e r i n g c o s t at least p r o v e o n e p e r t i n e n t issue. T h e establishments concerned are admitting to the whole w o r l d t h a t t h e y realize a n d f e a r t h e i n h e r e n t p o w e r and possibilities o f a n y ideology c o n n e c t e d t o t h e l i b e r a t i o n o f public c o n s c i o u s n e s s . T o o p e r a t e i n n e r activities u n d e r s u c h r e s t r i c t i v e c o n d i t i o n s w o u l d r e q u i r e a m o s t efficient s o r t o f spiritual s e c u r i t y . O n t h e o p p o s i t e side o f t h e p i c t u r e , e s t a b l i s h m e n t s s e e m i n g t o e n c o u r a g e free s p e e c h and " p e r m i s s i v e n e s s " u s e m d c h m o r e i n t e l l i g e n t m e t h o d s o f o p p o s i n g m o v e m e n t s o f magical c o n s c i o u s n e s s w h i c h m i g h t s t i r s o m e o f t h e p o p u l a c e t o peer h i g h e r t h a n T V p r o g r a m s for t r u t h , S o far a s t h e y a r e able, t h e y would like all m a g i c a l e n t h u s i a s t s o u t i n t h e open, p r e f e r a b l y w i t h a s m u c h publicity a s possible. T h e y w o u l d e n c o u r a g e e v e r y c r a c k p o t and e c c e n t r i c to indulge in t h e wildest and silliest a n t i c s i m a g i n a b l e , dressed in the weirdest costumes while performing every variety o f i n a n e a b s u r d i t i e s . B y t h e t i m e p r o f e s s i o n a l j o u r n a l i s t s had finished t h e i r e m b e l l i s h e d a c c o u n t s o f t h o s e e v e n t s , t h e r e w o u l d be little left to invite e i t h e r r e s p e c t or c o n f i d e n c e in realities m i s r e p r e s e n t e d s o b l a t a n t l y . W h a t e f f e c t , for e x a m p l e , d o e s i t h a v e o n millions o f v i e w e r s , w a t c h i n g s o m e carefully c h o s e n " w i t c h " or a s s e r t e d occult p e r s o n a l i t y skilfully " i n t e r v i e w e d " on TV in s u c h a s c i e n t i f i c w a y t h a t a calculated i m p r e s s i o n of i n f e r i o r i t y is s o m e h o w p l a n t e d in people's m i n d s . In o t h e r w o r d s , all r e s o u r c e s o f m a s s - m e d i a and p s y c h o l o g i c a l w a r f a r e c o m b i n e d a r e u s e d t o devalue, discredit, and m a k e n o n s e n s e o f o u r I n n e r Tradition in the eyes of those it seeks to serve. If both types of established g o v e r n m e n t s are expending such e f f o r t s t o n e g a t e t h e i n n e r l i n k a g e s o f o u r living T r a d i t i o n , t h i s alone should be sufficient to show their true significance. It ought also t o c o n v i n c e t h o s e t h i n k i n g o f s e r i o u s s e r v i c e i n t h e c a u s e o f this T r a d i t i o n h o w carefully t h e y will h a v e t o adjust t h e i r lives i n o r d e r t o s e r v e and s u r v i v e s i m u l t a n e o u s l y . Apart from these considerations, there is an extremely good p s y c h o l o g i c a l r e a s o n f o r t h e careful c u l t i v a t i o n o f " m a g i c a l s e c r e c y " . T h i s is to help develop w i t h i n oneself a v e r y Special " c h a m b e r o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s " i n w h i c h o n e ' s o w n h i g h e s t abilities o f a w a r e n e s s a r e able t o hold s o m e kind o f c o m m u n i o n w i t h D i v i n e
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I n t e l l i g e n c e . B y e x c l u d i n g all else e x c e p t a n a w a r e n e s s o f " I - n e s s " a n d " T h a t - n e s s " , a c o n s c i o u s l i n k a g e b e t w e e n individuals a n d t h e U n i v e r s a l S p i r i t o f Life b e c o m e s possible. F o r a h u m a n b e i n g , this is a v e r y difficult p r o c e s s , b e c a u s e it calls f o r e x p e r t c o n t r o l of consciousness which is only possible after prolonged practice. O n e b e g i n s b y holding c o n c e p t s s e c u r e l y for t h e s a k e o f t h e i r s i g n i f i c a n c e apart from all else i n e x i s t e n c e . T h i s m e a n s k e e p i n g t h e m s e c r e t i n t h e s e n s e O f n o t allowing t h e m t o c o m e i n c o n t a c t with w h a t e v e r would depreciate their value to their holder. It is i n s t i n c t i v e i n m o s t people t o talk l e a s t a b o u t w h a t t h e y value m o s t , and t h i s is t h e principle w h i c h applies in spiritual s e c u r i t y . A H t h e c e r e m o n i e s , c u s t o m s , and " s e c r e t s " c o n f i d e d t o c a n d i d a t e s at i n i t i a t i o n s a r e simply s y m b o l i c aids for d e v e l o p i n g an e s s e n t i a l i n n e r faculty t o w a r d s its h i g h e s t p o t e n t i a l . T h e w h o l e idea i t s e l f i s s y m b o l i z e d b y t h e " E m p t y R o o m " , o r s e c r e t s p a c e inside o n e s e l f w h e r e i n spirit c o n t a c t s Spirit directly. T h i s " E m p t y R o o m " i s s u p p o s e d t o b e t h e o n l y place o n e u t t e r s o n e ' s o w n M a g i c a l N a m e aloud, S e c r e c y a n d m y s t e r y are s u c h a n e s s e n t i a l part o f magic t h a t without correct employment of those elements it would scarcely w o r k t o any e f f e c t i v e e x t e n t . E v e r y t h i n g d e p e n d s o n r i g h t u s a g e , and t h i s o f c o u r s e d e p e n d s upon t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d capability o f t h e u s e r s . Sadly e n o u g h , a lot o f " o c c u l t c o n c e r n s " o n l y introduce an element of mystery to attract suckers, while others t r e a t it as a s c r e e n for e x t r e m e l y d u b i o u s a c t i v i t i e s or d o w n r i g h t illegal b e h a v i o r . T h i s a l w a y s p o s e s a s e r i o u s d i l e m m a for w o u l d - b e entrants. Faced with a curtain of mystery, they must determine w h e t h e r or n o t it m i g h t be w o r t h p e n e t r a t i n g . T h a t of i t s e l f is a t e s t o f t h e i r i n n e r perspicacity. T h o u g h i t i s i m p o s s i b l e t o lay d o w n h a r d and fast rules, m y s t e r i e s c o n c e a l i n g s u c k e r - t r a p s a r e usually a c c o m p a n i e d b y s p e c i o u s p r o m i s e s o f a d v a n t a g e , w h i l e m o r e s i n i s t e r affairs are likely t o look for blackmailing holds o n prospective members. In each case, the prospect is presented with a m y s t e r y w h i c h g u a r d i a n s o f f e r to lift for h i m in r e t u r n for s o m e c o n s i d e r a t i o n . T h e r e i n lies t h e c a t c h . W h e r e g e n u i n e spiritual v e r a c i t i e s a r e a p p a r e n t l y c o n c e a l e d behind a m a s k i n g m y s t e r y , no i n i t i a t e of s u c h a s y s t e m w o u l d o f f e r to raise a c o r n e r of it for a n y a p p r o a c h i n g e n q u i r e r . T h e sole r e a s o n for this i s b e c a u s e all w h o would e n t e r the precincts of the W e s t e r n Inner Way have to p e n e t r a t e t h e m y s t e r i e s e n t i r e l y b y t h e i r o w n e f f o r t s , N o b o d y can
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c l e a r a p a t h w a y t h r o u g h t h a t p r o t e c t i o n for a n y o n e else, b e c a u s e it c o n s i s t s of an o b s c u r i t y in and p e c u l i a r to e a c h individual. A s s o c i a t e s can o n l y e n c o u r a g e , advise, o r o f f e r spiritual s u p p o r t . M a y b e t h e m e s s a g e o f a n initiated m e m b e r o f o u r W e s t e r n W a y t o s o m e s i n c e r e soul s e e k i n g f e l l o w s h i p b y m e a n s o f its M y s t e r i e s m i g h t r u n s o m e t h i n g like t h i s : " M y s t e r i e s a r e m e t a p h o r s m a d e b y m a n t o c a r r y his c o n s c i o u s n e s s c l o s e r t o t h a t o f C o s m o s Itself. T h e y a r e spiritual s y m b o l s t h r o u g h w h i c h w e t r y t o speak t h e L a n g u a g e o f L i f e . Y o u have made yours as we have made ours. We are not here to explain, e x p o u n d , o r j u d g e a n y o n e ' s m y s t e r i e s , but t o live o u t w h a t w e a r e m a k i n g o f o u r s . All w e can d o for y o u i s s h o w y o u h o w we believe you might do as much for yourself. Everything else lies in y o u r o w n h a n d s . If t h a t is a c c e p t a b l e to y o u , t h e n y o u a r e w e l c o m e to w o r k w i t h us in a spirit of friendship. If n o t — t h e n g o w h i c h o t h e r w a y y o u will." O n l y t h e u t m o s t d e t e r m i n a t i o n and g e n u i n e dedication t o o u r I n n e r W a y o f t h e W e s t can possibly c a r r y i t e v e n s o far a s t h e n e x t c e n t u r y . O u r s has n e v e r b e e n a c o m f o r t a b l e , e a s y , and u n o p p o s e d T r a d i t i o n to follow. It h a s a l w a y s called for i n d o m i t a b l e c o u r a g e in t h e face of o p p o s i t i o n , and u n b r e a k a b l e faith in the principles of individual spiritual f r e e d o m , a n d a spirit of sacrifice willing to keep o u r I n n e r P a t h w a y s t o w a r d P e r f e c t i o n clear a t a l m o s t any p e r s o n a l c o s t . N o t h i n g b u t t h e f i n e s t q u a l i t i e s o f c h a r a c t e r will b e equal t o t h e d e m a n d s m a d e o n W e s t e r n I n i t i a t e s during t h e t i m e s a h e a d o f us. T h a t h a s e v e r b e e n t h e m e a n i n g o f o u r W e s t e r n Tradition. W h e t h e r t h e T r a d i t i o n o f t h e W e s t lives o r dies i n this w o r l d will b e d e t e r m i n e d b y w h a t e v e r faithful f e w c a r e e n o u g h a b o u t i t to give so t h a t it m a y live. No " G r e a t A v a t a r s " are likely to land on this e a r t h in any i m m e d i a t e l y a p p r e c i a b l e f o r m . T h e r e will b e n o incredible " M a s t e r s " , " T e a c h e r s " , o r f a n t a s t i c f i g u r e h e a d s t o lead u s o u t o f t h e m u r k w e h a v e m a d e o u r s e l v e s . W h a t e v e r w e need t o help u s must either be brought through ourselves, or else we go without i t until w e learn h o w . I n t h e end, o u r I n n e r T r a d i t i o n has t o b e carried along by quite ordinary h u m a n beings w h o become c o n s c i o u s o f t h e i r e x t r a o r d i n a r y r e s p o n s i b i l i t y . Y e t n e v e r for o n e s e c o n d s h o u l d it be s u p p o s e d t h a t " t h e c a u s e is e v e r y t h i n g and t h e individuals n o t h i n g " . O u r c a u s e i n t h e W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n i s
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individualism. C o l l e c t i v e l y w e h a v e all t o help e a c h o t h e r B E O U R SELVES. For the future, o u r Inner Tradition is best bound up with the w o r k o f individuals and e x t r e m e l y s e l e c t b u t d e p e n d a b l e n u c l e a r g r o u p i n g s , all capable of i n d e p e n d e n t f u n c t i o n i n g , w h i l e linked together through inner channels of consciousness beyond reach of antipathetic influences. T h e broadest outline of effort within t h o s e circles would b e r o u g h l y : A . C o g n i z a n c e o f e s s e n t i a l s from o u r past, and p r e s e r v a t i o n o f t h e s e i n practical f o r m s for t h e f u t u r e . B . I n t e r p r e t a t i o n o f t h e spirit b e h i n d o u r T r a d i t i o n i n t o t e r m s o f p r e s e n t p o t e n c y , and actually living in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e s e findings. C . C o n c e i v i n g and c o n t r i b u t i n g a d v a n c e s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s i n t e n d e d t o help o u r s e l v e s a n d fellow h u m a n s m a k e e v e n t h e s l i g h t e s t steps a h e a d along o u r I n n e r P a t h s . D . M a i n t a i n i n g , m o d e r n i z i n g , and p r o j e c t i n g t h e principles o f o u r T r a d i t i o n so t h a t it c o n t i n u e s as a living f o r c e in this w o r l d . It can t h e n lead its f o l l o w e r s t o w a r d s t h a t t r u t h w i t h i n t h e m s e l v e s e n a b l i n g e a c h soul t o t r a n s f o r m itself, b e c o m i n g a n E t e r n a l E n t i t y , ultimately attaining P E R F E C T P E A C E P R O F O U N D . W i t h i n a p e r i m e t e r of t h a t m a g n i t u d e , we can c h e e r f u l l y c o n s e c r a t e o u r c i r c l e s and set u p s t a t i o n s for m a k i n g w h a t m a g i c we may in a constantly current W e s t e r n m a n n e r . T h e r e is one extremely important consideration. Any group a s s o c a t i o n s o n e a r t h level arising o u t o f t h o s e I n n e r n e c e s s i t i e s s h o u l d ideally be of a s p o n t a n e o u s , m u t u a l l y a t t r a c t i v e n a t u r e . T h a t is to say, people c o n c e r n e d o u g h t to be guided i n t o each o t h e r ' s h u m a n c o m p a n y b y i n n e r and i n s t i n c t i v e leadings instead o f looking for s o m e already f o r m e d and m a t e r i a l l y based o r g a n i z a t i o n s t o j o i n . T h e r e a s o n for this i s t h a t n o m a t t e r h o w g o o d and n o b l e e a r t h - b a s e d o c c u l t o r g a n i z a t i o n s m a y m e a n t o b e i n t h e first place, t h e y c a n n o t a l t o g e t h e r avoid d e g r e e s o f i n f i l t r a t i o n and i n t e r f e r e n c e . F r e e and fluid g r o u p i n g s flowing t h r o u g h t h e s t r u c t u r e o f W e s t e r n c u l t u r e i s u n d o u b t e d l y t h e best w a y o f k e e p i n g o u r I n n e r T r a d i t i o n alive and a c t i v e i n o u r t i m e s . O u r s y m b o l o f t h e W e s t i s w a t e r , a f t e r all, and i f w e s a n c t i f y this i n t o t h e B l e s s e d B l o o d b o r n e b y t h e " G r a i l , " t h a t should provide e n o u g h ideas to inspire courses of a c t i o n for an i n d e f i n i t e period ahead.
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T h e r e i s a n old a n a l o g y o f e v e r y living c r e a t u r e r e p r e s e n t e d as being s o m e e s s e n t i a l part of a unified W h o l e D i v i n e Life, or " C o s m i c C o r p u s " . W i t h i n t h a t fictional f r a m e w o r k , i t w a s c u s t o m a r y t o c o n s i d e r t h e a v e r a g e m e m b e r s o f m a n k i n d a s flesh o r s i n e w s , w h i l e t h e " c h o s e n " o r h i g h l y developed elite e n t e r e d t h e a c t u a l b l o o d s t r e a m . T h i s w a s , and y e t is, t h e i n n e r m e a n i n g o f o u r E u c h a r i s t i c S a c r a m e n t . T h e idea w a s t h a t i f a n A l m i g h t y G o d " a t e us up", and i n c o r p o r a t e d us i m m o r t a l l y i n t o Its B e i n g , we should b e c o m e e q u i v a l e n t t o Its flesh and blood. T h e r e f o r e , i f w e p a r t o o k o f flesh and blood, o r bread and w i n e a s t h e s y m b o l s t h e r e o f , i n t h e N a m e o f t h a t G o d , this p r o v e d o u r w i l l i n g n e s s t o b e s o c o n s u m e d and c o n t i n u e d i n t h e C o n s c i o u s n e s s o f C o s m o s , W h i c h b r i n g s u s back (as m o s t t h i n g s a l w a y s will) t o t h e G r a i l workings of the West. H e r e we see the mysterious Grail in quite a n e w light. I t b e c o m e s i n fact t h o s e w h o a r e w o r t h y o f b e c o m i n g b o t h t h e m e t a p h o r i c a l and m y s t i c a l " D i v i n e B l o o d " w i t h i n t h e W e s t e r n I n n e r T r a d i t i o n . W e m u s t r e m e m b e r t h a t traditionally " B l o o d " m e a n s n o t o n l y a b e a r e r of Life w i t h i n a body, b u t also t h e c a r r i e r o f a n e n t i r e g e n e s i s , and t h e r e f o r e intrinsically all f u t u r e p o t e n t i a l and u l t i m a t e e n d s o f e v o l u t i o n . T h i s i s w h a t t h e " H o l y G r a i l " really m e a n s f o r t h e W e s t — t h a t w h i c h i s "in o u r b l o o d " for the purpose of bearing us towards Godhood. H e r e , b e y o n d a n y possible doubt, i s t h e " G r e a t W o r k o f t h e West." Under the symbology of the Grail, our whole "bloodstream of Life" has to be circulated t h r o u g h o u t our structure so that we can actually live as vital and i m p o r t a n t b e i n g s b e l o n g i n g to o u r s e l v e s and e a c h o t h e r in a S i n g l e Spirit. S o m e h o w t h a t S p i r i t in o u r blood h a s t o b e s t i r r e d and set f l o w i n g t h r o u g h t h e c h o k e d c h a n n e l s of c o n s c i o u s n e s s w h i c h should be supplying us all w i t h m e a n s and m o t i v e s f o r m o v i n g o u r m e n t a l i t i e s t o w a r d h i g h e r levels o f living t h a n t h o s e s o m a n y are a c c e p t i n g a s i n e v i t a b l e .
8. "The More It Changes, the More It Stays the Same
A T r a d i t i o n s h o u l d g r o w n a t u r a l l y o u t of itself like a n y o t h e r form of life. W h a t e v e r s t o p s g r o w i n g and d e v e l o p i n g is t h e n dead and best buried for fertilizer o f fresh and p r o m i s i n g i s s u e s . T o that e x t e n t o u r T r a d i t i o n is like a t r e e . Its r o o t s r e m a i n deep b e n e a t h s u r f a c e levels o f life, its s t e m and main b r a n c h e s h a v e a r i s e n w i t h i n us, w h i l e its leaves and fruits are s e a s o n a l l y s u b j e c t to c l i m a t i c c h a n g e s and c o n d i t i o n s . L o o k i n g a t t h e T r e e o f Life p a t t e r n , w e should n o t e t h a t its t h r e e Pillars a r e s o m e t i m e s e q u a t e d w i t h t h r e e basic principles o f E x i s t e n c e . F o r c e and F o r m a r e on t h e o u t s i d e . Equilibrating f u n d a m e n t a l s c o n s t i t u t e the alli m p o r t a n t Middle Pillar. F o r c e s and F o r m s a r e c h a n g a b l e s , but F u n d a m e n t a l s a r e t h e a x i s - p o i n t s , i n relation t o w h i c h a n y a l t e r a t i o n s are made. To k e e p a T r a d i t i o n h e a l t h y , it is n e c e s s a r y to m a i n t a i n its " l e a f and f r u i t " e q u i v a l e n t s i n a p p r o p r i a t e c o n d i t i o n s o f c h a n g e w h i l e its fixed f u n d a m e n t a l s supply its i n n e r n e e d s from spiritual sources beyond our immediate grasp. Be it always understood, h o w e v e r , t h a t n o a l t e r a t i o n s h o u l d e v e r b e m a d e purely for t h e s a k e o f c h a n g e itself. S u c h c h a n g e s s h o u l d b e m a d e b e c a u s e o f f l u c t u a t i n g i n f l u e n c e s w i t h i n w h a t could b e called t h e " C o s m i c c l i m a t e " w e live in. J u s t a s t h e r e a r e s t a n d a r d s e a s o n a l flux taking
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place, s o a r e t h e r e spiritual tides and s e a s o n s w i t h m a n y v a r i a t i o n s of rate and effect. S o m e changes need centuries of our time to occur, others take only seconds. S o m e affect the destinies of e n t i r e r a c e s a n d n a t i o n s , a n d o t h e r s o n l y apply t o individuals. All a r e i n t e r r e l a t e d t h r o u g h d e e p e s t levels o f Life. W e h a v e t o adapt with them as best we may from one incarnation to another, while s t r i v i n g t o modify t h e m beneficially d u r i n g o u r e x i s t e n c e . T h a t i s w h e r e T r a d i t i o n can b e s o valuable. T h r o u g h its m e a n s , w e c a n i m p r e s s a l t e r a t i o n s i n t o its spiritual s u b s t r u c t u r e w h i c h a r e b o u n d to bring eventual benefits. T h e old idea o f living w i t h i n a T r a d i t i o n m e a n t w h a t e v e r o f v a l u e w a s put i n t o it during a l i f e t i m e n o t o n l y r e s u l t e d in useful o r h a p p y e x c a r n a t e e x p e r i e n c e , but also m i g h t provide s o m e w h a t b e t t e r c o n d i t i o n s for s u b s e q u e n t r e b i r t h . T h i s i s c o m p a r a b l e t o " k e e p i n g it in t h e family". If all its m e m b e r s m a d e w h a t c o n t r i b u t i o n s t h e y could t h e n e v e r y o n e included s h o u l d t h e o r e tically b e b e t t e r o f f w i t h e v e r y birth, s o l o n g a s t h e T r a d i t i o n w e r e k e p t alive t h r o u g h t h e g e n e r a t i o n s . T h i s i s f u n d a m e n t a l l y t r u e enough, though of course membership has enlarged proportiona t e l y t h r o u g h m a n y i n c a r n a t i o n s . A t t h e s a m e t i m e , full m e m b e r s h i p of a T r a d i t i o n m u s t be c o n s c i o u s l y c l a i m e d and i n t e n t i o n a l l y m a i n t a i n e d . It is n o t e n o u g h to be b o r n w i t h i n a T r a d i t i o n . T h e r e h a s t o b e a c t i v e p a r t i c i p a t i o n and i n v o l v e m e n t w i t h its spiritual i m p l i c a t i o n s . I n t i m e s past, m o s t people i n s t i n c t i v e l y k n e w o r r e c o g n i z e d t h e T r a d i t i o n t h e y b e l o n g e d w i t h b e c a u s e it w a s e s s e n t i a l l y a " f a m i l y , friends, and n e i g h b o r s " affair. N o n e o f i t c a m e f r o m b o o k s . E v e r y t h i n g e m e r g e d f r o m w h a t o t h e r s passed o n b y w o r d or e x a m p l e w h i c h r e s u l t e d in individual r e a c t i o n s w i t h all this by succeeding generations. Woven in among that stream of cons c i o u s n e s s w e r e t h e s u b t l e i n f l u e n c e s o f n o n - i n c a r n a t e intellig e n c e s a t t e m p t i n g t o guide h u m a n e v o l u t i o n t o w a r d h i g h e r and f i n e r levels of living. A T r a d i t i o n t h u s supplied h u m a n s n o t o n l y w i t h a s e n s e of " W h a t I h a v e b e e n b e f o r e t h i s " , b u t a c o m p l e m e n t a r y sense of " W h a t I am going to be afterwards." It e x t e n d e d e x i s t e n c e o n b o t h sides o f i n c a r n a t i o n . H o w a r e m o d e r n h u m a n s t o o b t a i n s u c h a s e n s e o f i d e n t i t y w i t h o u t feeling s o m e I n n e r T r a d i t i o n b e h i n d and b e f o r e t h e i r t r a n s i e n t physical foci? T h e y a r e unlikely t o o b t a i n v e r y m u c h f r o m families a n d friends, w i t h r a r e e x c e p t i o n s . O f f i c i a l s o u r c e s , s u c h a s s c h o o l s and
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C h u r c h e s , a r e n e c e s s a r i l y b o u n d t o t h e socio-political d i c t a t e s o f an a n o n y m o u s autocracy. M o d e r n W e s t e r n e r s are not encouraged to believe in or h o p e for individual spiritual l i b e r t y and e v o l u t i o n i n t o i m m o r t a l i d e n t i t y . T h e i r w h o l e c o n d i t i o n i n g and m i n d m a n i p u l a t i o n inclines t h e m t o accept life from v e r y l o w levels. M o r e a n d m o r e , m a s s - m a n k i n d t e n d s t o identify w i t h its m a c h i n e s and m a t e r i a l i s t i c e n v i r o n m e n t s . L i t t l e b y little t h e y a r e b e c o m i n g like " b a t t e r y - b r e d " f a r m a n i m a l s c o n f i n e d to a p r o d u c t i o n line t a k i n g t h e m o n l y f r o m b i r t h t o d e a t h for t h e profit o f c o n t r o l l e r s a n d o w n e r s . P e r h a p s m o s t s h o c k i n g o f all, t h e y e n j o y a n d delight i n a n e n s l a v e m e n t providing t h e m w i t h c r e a t u r e c o m f o r t s and s e n s o r y s a t i s f a c t i o n s i n e x c h a n g e for t h e i r e n e r g i e s o f e x i s t e n c e . W h e t h e r t h e y will e v e r b r e a k a w a y from this b o n d a g e i s f o r h i s t o r y to s h o w . T h e fact r e m a i n s t h a t it i m p o s e s a h e a v y constraint on W e s t e r n consciousness during the present epoch w h i c h s e e m s unlikely t o l e s s o n v e r y m u c h i n t h e f o r e s e e a b l e future. T h e W e s t e r n W a y b e g a n b e c a u s e o f a spiritual n e e d for individuation w h i c h w a s being o p p o s e d a n d t h w a r t e d b y c o n t r o l lers d e t e r m i n e d t o i m p o s e t h e i r o w n i n t e r e s t s u p o n all h u m a n s . O u r I n n e r W a y c o m m e n c e d a s w h a t would, n o w a d a y s b e called a " L i b e r a t i o n M o v e m e n t " , a n d f u n d a m e n t a l l y s t a n d s for e x a c t l y t h e s a m e principles in o u r t i m e s as it did t h e n . T h e r e is this d i f f e r e n c e . W e can n o l o n g e r m o v e a w a y from m e n a c e o n t h e physical plane. W e h a v e t o face w o r k i n g t h e W e s t e r n W a y w i t h i n a n t a g o n i s tic c o n d i t i o n s and c o n f u s i n g c i r c u m s t a n c e s . Like L u t h e r , w e are being driven i n t o p o s i t i o n s w h e n w e m u s t s o o n e r o r l a t e r say t h e words that gave him fame as an antagonist of corruption within an E s t a b l i s h e d C h u r c h : " H e r e s t a n d I. I can do no o t h e r . " It could s c a r c e l y be c o i n c i d e n t a l t h a t t h e device on L u t h e r ' s seal was a c o m b i n a t i o n o f R o s e , C r o s s , and H e a r t . W h a t h e p r o f e s s e d o p e n l y w a s Certainly c o n n e c t e d w i t h beliefs and o u t l o o k s held s e c r e t l y a m o n g T e m p l e s and L o d g e s o p e r a t i n g i n E u r o p e a t t h a t period. S o h e r e w e n o w h a v e t o stand, w h e r e v e r w e h a p p e n t o be, and follow o u r a n c i e n t F a i t h in a m o d e r n m a n n e r s i n c e we a l s o can d o n o o t h e r . I n t e r p r e t a t i o n s o f t h a t F a i t h m a y vary, b u t basically i t g o e s b a c k t o t h e o r i g i n s o f o u r T r a d i t i o n itself. D e f i n i n g a r t i c l e s o f a n y F a i t h is a l w a y s a m o s t difficult m a t t e r , y e t in t h e v e r y b r o a d e s t o f t e r m s a Western e s o t e r i c i s t o f any b r a n c h m i g h t a g r e e w i t h t h e s e wide definitions:
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1 . T h e i n h e r e n t L i f e - m o t i v e o f e v e r y living soul s h o u l d b e t o e v o l v e a n d individuate i t s e l f i n t o a n u l t i m a t e i n t e g e r o f o u r Universal Entity. 2 . A c h i e v e m e n t o f s u c h a n a t t a i n m e n t i s possible t h r o u g h v o l u n t a r y sacrifice o f l o w - l e v e l self-life for t h e s a k e o f spiritual S e l f h o o d . S u c h sacrifice i s m a d e t h r o u g h and b y t h e principles o f " p r i e s t h o o d " and " k i n g s h i p " i n e a c h individual. P r o p e r l y u n d e r stood, this is the "Holy Grail" of our W e s t e r n Way. 3 . T h o u g h e a c h individual i s u l t i m a t e l y r e s p o n s i b l e for its o w n s a l v a t i o n , we are all obliged to help e a c h o t h e r in a m u t u a l p e r f e c t i o n p r o c e s s i n s o f a r a s m a y b e c o n s i s t e n t w i t h individuation n e e d s and p r o c e d u r e s . 4 . W e h a v e t o r e c o g n i z e , and d i s c o v e r h o w t o w o r k w i t h t h e assistance of other life-orders beyond our conditions of embodim e n t , w h i c h a r e m o s t closely c o n c e r n e d w i t h o u r c h o s e n I n n e r W a y o f developing t o w a r d D i v i n i t y . 5 . W e h a v e t o l e a r n and u n d e r s t a n d t h e u s e o f o u r i n h e r i t e d c u l t u r a l and special spiritual s y m b o l o g y , w h e r e b y c o n s c i o u s c o m m u n i c a t i o n and e x c h a n g e s o f e n e r g y b e c o m e possible b e t w e e n o u r h u m a n e n d s o f e n t i t y and t h o s e h i g h e r levels o f living we aim to exist in ourselves eventually. 6 . W e a r e h e r e t o pick u p g e n e t i c links f r o m o u r past w e m a d e a s p o w e r - p o i n t s for o u r p e r f e c t i o n - p r o g r a m modify t h e s e a s and i f n o w n e c e s s a r y , t h e n follow t h i s " W e s t e r n L i n e o f L i g h t " forward toward the T r u t h we seek. 7. We s h o u l d r e s p e c t and r e c o g n i z e t h e S p i r i t of Life in all our fellow creatures w h e t h e r h u m a n or otherwise, acting towards them as agents of that same Spirit in ourselves. T h o u g h t h e r e could b e m a n y o t h e r p o i n t s put f o r w a r d , t h e s e few s h o u l d s e r v e as a fair b a c k g r o u n d of b e l i e f b e h i n d o u r e s o t e r i c e n d e a v o r s . P r o j e c t e d i n t o m o d e r n " h u m a n i t a r i a n " t e r m s , t h e y are a n a c k n o w l e d g e m e n t t h a t "people", i n t h e s e n s e o f b e i n g living s o u l s , a r e far m o r e i m p o r t a n t t h a n p r o d u c t i o n s , profits, politics, o r a n y artificial a b s t r a c t i o n s and m a t e r i a l i s t i c s u b s t i t u t e s . S u m m e d u p t o a single s u c c i n c t point, w e are h e r e t o h e l p e a c h o t h e r b e c o m e a s t h e D i v i n e I n t e n t i o n w i t h i n u s wills. I t i s i m p o r t a n t t h a t t h e s t u d y and p r a c t i c e o f t h e W e s t e r n I n n e r Tradition should not be thought of as merely interesting r a m b l e s i n t o t h e past. T o t h e c o n t r a r y , a s all o u r past spiritual streams condense in the present, we should be impressing our
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m o d e r n a d a p t a t i o n s o f its m e a n i n g . O u r m y t h s and l e g e n d s h a v e t o b e i n t e r p r e t e d i n t e r m s o f today, and o u r m a g i c likewise c a s t i n t o circles o f c u r r e n t c o n s c i o u s n e s s . T h a t i s a t r e m e n d o u s and m o s t s e r i o u s r e s p o n s i b i l i t y for e v e r y o n e involved. I t i s o n l y possible i f t h e r i g h t people a r e really p r e p a r e d t o spend w h o l e i n c a r n a t i o n s i n s u c h w o r k , and pass o n w h a t t h e y h a v e d o n e t o t h e i r spiritual h e i r s for f u r t h e r d e v e l o p m e n t . T h a t m u c h i s o b v i o u s . W h a t is n o t so readily appreciated is e x a c t l y h o w s u c h a p r o c e s s t a k e s place. In old t i m e s , it was a s t r a i g h t f o r w a r d m a t t e r of passing links to t h e T r a d i t i o n directly from p a r e n t to child. In s o m e c a s e s f a t h e r s passed t h e s e t o s o n s and m o t h e r s t o d a u g h t e r s , s o m e t i m e s i t was the opposite. O f t e n r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s w e r e m i x e d , f a t h e r s initiating children i n t o c e r t a i n parts of a T r a d i t i o n , and m o t h e r s t a k i n g o t h e r b r a n c h e s . W h e r e t h e r e was usually a h i g h m o r t a l i t y a m o n g Warrior m a l e s , a T r a d i t i o n m i g h t n e c e s s a r i l y be m o s t l y t r a n s m i t t e d t h r o u g h t h e f e m a l e s . T h e point i s t h a t y o u n g s t e r s freely a c c e p t e d w h a t e v e r t h e y received t h a t w a y , b e c a u s e t h e r e were no o t h e r means of reception. Consequently, the transm i s s i o n of a T r a d i t i o n f o r m e d a fairly clean line of d e s c e n t . N o w a d a y s , t h e p i c t u r e i s u t t e r l y altered. T h e r e a r e v e r y few p a r e n t s capable o f passing m u c h e x c e p t p r o p a g a n d a - f o r m e d ideas t o t h e i r children, and t h o s e children t h e m s e l v e s are literally b o m b a r d e d from all d i r e c t i o n s w i t h s u g g e s t i o n s and i n f l u e n c e s e m a n a t i n g from p o l i t i c o - c o m m e r c i a l s o u r c e s v e r y m u c h a t v a r i a n c e w i t h t h e spirit inspiring o u r basic t r a d i t i o n a l beliefs. N o t o n l y t h a t , a virtual " a n t i - c u l t u r e " h a s b e c o m e e s t a b l i s h e d w h i c h is e n t i r e l y o p p o s e d to T r a d i t i o n a l t h e m e s of t h o u g h t . In t h e middle of all this muddle, h o w can any child really feel c e r t a i n w h a t its I n n e r b e l o n g i n g s a r e ? H o w o n e a r t h c a n any r e c e n t arrival t o W e s t e r n i n c a r n a t i o n possibly k n o w w h a t i s o f o u r T r a d i t i o n , and w h a t i s n o t ? T h e r e i s really but o n e practical c o u r s e for p r o m o t e r s o f o u r T r a d i t i o n t o take. L e t o u t i n t o public a r e a s a n a d e q u a t e supply o f e x t e r n a l " l e a d s " w h i c h , if r e c o g n i z e d and f o l l o w e d up w i t h s u f f i c i e n t i n t e r e s t , will steadily guide people i n t o m o r e s e l e c t i v e circles. E v e n t u a l l y close and confidential c o n t a c t can be m a d e with w h o e v e r h a s had t h e p e r c e p t i o n and p a t i e n c e t o " e n q u i r e w i t h i n . " T h o s e " l e a d - i n s " could c o n s i s t o f a l m o s t a n y t h i n g . A s o n g w i t h " k e y p h r a s e s " in it for i n s t a n c e . A b o o k w i t h a special p a s s a g e
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t h r o w n in among seemingly casual conversation. A picture, or even a poster that symbolically stimulated an inner sense of " b e l o n g i n g w i t h " s o m e t h i n g t h a t lies far, f a r b e h i n d t h e p r e s e n t e d surface. Absolutely any form encountered objectively in our w h o l e c u l t u r a l field w h i c h i s specially d e s i g n e d t o a t t r a c t t h e a t t e n t i o n o f " n a t u r a l " fellow T r a d i t i o n a l i s t s , and e n c o u r a g e t h e m t o l o o k l o n g e r and d e e p e r i n s e a r c h o f t h e i n n e r reality w h o s e flickering r e f l e c t i o n t h e y s a w f o r a split s e c o n d . " L e a d - i n s " o f t h i s k i n d are a c t u a l l y t o b e f o u n d a l m o s t e v e r y w h e r e . T h e y h a v e d i f f e r e n t m e a n i n g s and c o n n e c t i o n s w h i c h appeal t o w i d e v a r i e t i e s o f people, b u t i n t h e main t h e y all c a r r y t h e s a m e m e s s a g e : " T h e r e i s s o m e t h i n g i n and b e h i n d m e w h i c h c o n c e r n s y o u r o w n i m m o r t a l i d e n t i t y . S e e k this i f y o u will." I t i s incredible h o w t h a t vital i n t i m a t i o n can b e c o n n e c t e d t o a p p a r e n t l y a b s u r d o r trivial t h i n g s i n c o m m o n u s a g e . P e r h a p s t h e d e s i g n o f a d r e s s , t h e feel o f m a t e r i a l s , t h e s c e n t o f s o m e t h i n g , t h e s h a p e o f a n a r t i f a c t . M o d e r n magical s y m b o l s a b o u n d i n all d i r e c t i o n s . It is o n l y a m a t t e r of finding w h a t a n d w h i c h u n l o c k s the inner awareness of whom. T h e idea o f this d i v e r s i t y i s t h a t , w i t h s u c h a w i d e s p r e a d r e a c h , souls w i t h a spark of t h e W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n in t h e m will pick u p n e e d e d t h r e a d s a n d c l u e s . H o w d o t h e s e links g e t i n t o circulation? M o s t often through inner influences affecting the c o n s c i o u s n e s s o f t h o s e r e s p o n s i b l e for m a t e r i a l i z i n g t h e m . T h i s m a y t a k e place purely o n s u b c o n s c i o u s l e v e l s . B u t t h e u l t i m a t e i s s u e i s t h a t s o m e t h i n g o b s e r v a b l e and c o g n i z a b l e b y o r d i n a r y h u m a n s e m e r g e s w h i c h c a r r i e s a specific s u g g e s t i v e c h a r g e c o n n e c t i n g w i t h t h e spirit o f o u r T r a d i t i o n . S u p p o s e , f o r e x a m p l e , a local p o t t e r m a k e s a n u m b e r of a r t i f a c t s . He feels inspired to include s o m e m o t i f w h i c h is in fact a definite s y m b o l r o o t e d i n o u r T r a d i t i o n . T h e p o t t e r m a y simply like t h e design w i t h o u t being c o n s c i o u s l y a w a r e o f a n y r e a s o n . His p r o d u c t i o n s are b o u g h t b y a l a r g e n u m b e r o f people. M o s t o f t h e s e will t r e a t t h e m a s a r t w o r k o n l y . H e r e and t h e r e , h o w e v e r , t h e s y m b o l i c design will act as a k e y w h i c h u n l o c k s a n u m b e r of vital d e t e r m i n a n t s i n s o m e soul, b e c a u s e t h a t design c o r r e s p o n d s w i t h a n i n n e r p e r c e p t u a l p a t t e r n . N o t h i n g v e r y m a r k e d i s likely t o h a p p e n at first, but initial i n n e r r e l e a s e s can lead to c o n s i d e r a b l e a d v a n c e s o f consciousness l a t e r . I m p u l s e s t o e n q u i r e along c e r t a i n lines. A n a r o u s e d c u r i o s i t y and i n t e r e s t i n spiritual s u b j e c t s .
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A l t e r e d o u t l o o k s i n living. T h e s e m a y m a n i f e s t i n small w a y s a t first, b u t t h e y a r e i m p o r t a n t to a h u m a n soul. B y this t i m e a n o r d i n a r y p e r s o n m i g h t well b e f o r g i v e n f o r s a y i n g : " W h a t o n e a r t h i s t h e n e e d for all this d i s s e m i n a t i o n and c o n c e a l m e n t o f c l u e s ? W h y n o t simply say o u r W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n is this, t h i s , and t h a t , so t a k e it or leave it. W h y m e s s a r o u n d w i t h m a k e - b e l i e v e and m y s t e r y ? " If o n l y life could be t h a t s t r a i g h t forward! N o n e w o u l d b e h a p p i e r t h a n t h o s e t r y i n g t o m a i n t a i n t h e t r u t h s o f o u r I n n e r W a y . P e r h a p s t h e saddest t r u t h t o admit i s t h a t t h e spiritual s t r u c t u r e o f o u r T r a d i t i o n c a n n o t b e o p e n l y m a n i f e s t e d a m o n g m a n k i n d u n d e r t h e c o n d i t i o n s o f civilization prevailing o n this planet. O u r " G r a i l " h a s p e r f o r c e t o " h i d e " f o r t h e sake o f o u r s o u l s ' survival. I f o u r e n e r g i e s a r e e n g a g e d o n m a t e r i a l levels in a literal l i f e - o r - d e a t h s t r u g g l e to e x i s t as i n d e p e n d e n t e n t i t i e s , w e shall n e e d t o k e e p o u r I n n e r r e s e r v e s i n s a f e and s e c r e t places. T h e o b v i o u s c o u r s e to t a k e at p r e s e n t is a strategic one. I n t e l l i g e n t W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n a l i s t s will realize t h a t o u r immediate way ahead has to be undertaken with considerable c a u t i o n and capability. T h e r e is n o t h i n g to be g a i n e d by o p e n ideological conflict w i t h e s t a b l i s h e d a u t h o r i t i e s . T h e t h i n g t o d o i s concentrate on maintaining contact with our appointed "Inner Guardians", while mediating their influence into current streams o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s w h i c h m a y h e l p fellow h u m a n s find w h a t e v e r t h e y a r e s e e k i n g w i t h i n t h e m s e l v e s . M o s t o f m a n k i n d n e e d s this type o f liberating m a g i c m o r e t h a n a n y o t h e r m i r a c l e . T h i s i s t h e w o r k t h a t m o d e r n W e s t e r n m a g i should b e m a i n l y c o n c e r n e d with. In o r d e r to a p p r e c i a t e t h i s p r o b l e m m o r e deeply, it m i g h t be g o o d t o e x a m i n e s o m e o f t h e magical a t t e m p t s m a d e i n e a r l i e r t i m e s and c o n t r a s t t h e s e w i t h r e c e n t revivals. E v e n t h e c o n v o luted g r i m o i r e s o f t h e Middle A g e s afford i n f e r e n t i a l e v i d e n c e o f h u m a n s a t t e m p t i n g t o e s t a b l i s h individual r e l a t i o n s h i p s w i t h spiritual a g e n c i e s for i n d e p e n d e n t r e a s o n s . G r a n t e d t h e m o t i v a t i o n s w e r e usually bad and t h e m e t h o d s m o s t i m p r a c t i c a l . N e v e r t h e l e s s , t h e h u m a n n e e d for e x p r e s s i n g s o m e kind o f i n n e r i d e n t i t y and e x p e r i e n c i n g t h e e x i s t e n c e o f o t h e r t h a n m u n d a n e o r d e r s of life is v e r y g e n u i n e indeed. T h i n k o n c e m o r e o f t h e o l d - f a s h i o n e d idea o f a m a g i c i a n s t a n d i n g in a circle i n v o k i n g s o m e spiritual c r e a t u r e i n t o m a n i f e s t
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f o r m w i t h i n a s m a l l e r circle t r a c e d o u t s i d e t h e m a g i c i a n ' s stronghold. This shows a pattern of enforcing inner entities down t o o u r l o w e r levels o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s s o a s t o deal w i t h t h e m f r o m t h a t s t a n d p o i n t . E v e n a m e d i e v a l magician s e l d o m supposed v e r y advanced types of entity would be greatly interested in maintaining c o m m u n i c a t i o n w i t h m a n k i n d u n d e r t h o s e c o n d i t i o n s . B u t then, they were not much concerned with contacting higher o r d e r s o f life t h a n t h e i r o w n . T h e i r a m b i t i o n w a s m e e t i n g n o n incarnates even lower than themselves which would gratify their i m p o r t u n a t e d e m a n d s and g e n e r a l l y act a s a g e n t s for appeasing t h e w o r s t side o f h u m a n n a t u r e i n r e t u r n f o r e n e r g i e s w h i c h could h a v e b e e n used t o i m p r o v e o u r i n n e r e v o l u t i o n . T h i s w a s t h e n called "selling a soul to t h e D e v i l . " C o n t r a s t this with the modern magical theory. O n e sets up a n e f f e c t i v e self-circle for t h e specific p u r p o s e o f raising c o n s c i o u s n e s s to a p o i n t w h e r e it is capable of c o n t a c t i n g s u p e r i o r spiritual e n t i t i e s o n t h e i r n a t u r a l levels, c o m m u n i c a t i n g directly, r e m o v e d f r o m m a t e r i a l i s t i c p e r s p e c t i v e s . P u t i n simple p h r a s e o logy, i n s t e a d o f dragging spiritual b e i n g s d o w n t o o u r h u m a n levels o f living, w e a r e l e a r n i n g h o w t o lift o u r s e l v e s u p t o w a r d t h e i r s t a t e s o f e x i s t e n c e and e v e n t h i n k t o s o m e e x t e n t a s t h e y do. T h a t i s m o d e r n m a g i c a t its b e s t . N o t o n l y d o t h e older m a g i c a l rituals n e e d c o n t e m p o r a r y r e c o n s t r u c t i o n , but n e w d e v e l o p m e n t s s h o u l d e m e r g e f r o m t h e m and o p e n u p fresh i n n e r fields o f e x p l o r a t i o n . O u r e x p e r i e n c e i n r i t u a l p s y c h o - d r a m a t i c s s h o u l d r i c h e n and ripen w i t h s u c c e s s i v e g e n e r a t i o n s until t h e r e i s s o m e t h i n g v e r y splendid and w o n d e r f u l t o b e w o r k e d w i t h i n t h i s w o r l d . R e g r e t t a b l y this h a s n o t b e e n t h e c a s e . F a r from keeping up a d v a n c e s in t h i s i m p o r t a n t field, o u r s t a n d a r d s h a v e fallen s o low t h a t m a n y , m a i n l y y o u n g people, are still trapped in a m a z e of medieval m a g i c . C o n s i d e r i n g o u r r e s o u r c e s , t h e lack of a d e q u a t e ritualistic facilities is n o t h i n g less t h a n d e p l o r a b l e . T h i s i s indeed a n o t h e r m o d e r n r e s p o n s i b i l i t y for dedicated W e s t e r n I n n e r T r a d i t i o n a l i s t s t o accept and a c q u i t t h e m s e l v e s of. T h e o p e n i n g s and o p p o r t u n i t i e s for t h i s kind o f w o r k a r e a l m o s t c o u n t l e s s , and o n l y t h e b a r e s t b e g i n n i n g s are y e t being m a d e . T h e r e i s v i r t u a l l y limitless scope for t h o s e specialist souls w i t h a gift for c o n s t r u c t i n g m a g i c a l rituals w h i c h can c o n s i s t e n t l y p r o d u c e specific spiritual r e a c t i o n s a m o n g p a r t i c i p a n t s . N o t o n l y i s
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t h e w h o l e r a n g e o f h u m a n feeling available, b u t also e x t e n s i o n s o f these we have yet to reach in time to come. T h e same is true i n t e l l e c t u a l l y . W e a r e v e r y far indeed f r o m m a x i m u m brilliance i n this d i r e c t i o n . T h e r e f o r e all t y p e s o f m a g i c a l ritual w h i c h e n c o u r a g e and facilitate o u r i n n e r e v o l u t i o n b e y o n d p r e s e n t a v e r a g e p o i n t s o f arrival, s h o u l d b e m o r e t h a n w e l c o m e w i t h i n our Western Way. T h e r e a r e n e g l e c t e d and ill-served a r e a s o f t h e h u m a n p s y c h e c a u s i n g us a lot of q u i t e u n n e c e s s a r y t r o u b l e w h i c h could well be s t r a i g h t e n e d o u t and n o r m a l i z e d b y c o r r e c t c h a n n e l i n g t h r o u g h ritual. T a k e , for i n s t a n c e , a s u b c o n s c i o u s r e s e n t m e n t a g a i n s t a p e r s o n i f i e d D e i t y , o r " L i f e I t s e l f " , w h i c h builds u p slowly i n t h e souls of so m a n y people. T h i s r e s u l t s in a s e r i o u s i m b a l a n c e u n l e s s there is some way of neutralizing or releasing t h e inner pressures so accumulated. T h i s m o u n t i n g feeling t h a t " L i f e i s a g a i n s t m e " i s p r o b a b l y o n e o f o u r m o s t s e r i o u s p r o b l e m s , especially i n m o d e r n t i m e s w h e n such a s t a t e m e n t s e e m s so obviously factual. People trying t o live h o n e s t , h a r d w o r k i n g , and m a y b e h i g h - p r i n c i p l e d lives a r e apt t o a b a n d o n ideals w h e n t h e y s e e i l l - m o t i v a t e d o p p o r t u n i s t s w a l l o w i n g in w e a l t h , l u x u r y , and i n d o l e n c e w h i l e holding t h e h i g h e s t social and political p o s i t i o n s . W i t h n o o u t l e t o r a d e q u a t e p r o v i s i o n s for n e u t r a l i z i n g t h i s i n n e r p r e s s u r e , i t c a n n o t d o m u c h else t h a n b e c o m e w h a t w a s o n c e t e r m e d a " c a n k e r i n t h e soul". O n c e t h i s g e t s a firm grip, it is b o u n d to b e c o m e a f o c u s for d a m a g i n g f o r c e s h a v i n g a bad e f f e c t t h r o u g h o u t t h e e n t i r e organism. T h o u g h effects may vary, the general result is detrimental. T h i s should be realized by c o m m o n - s e n s e alone. C e n t u r i e s back, people u n d e r t h i s s a m e type o f p r e s s u r e w o u l d h a v e b l a m e d t h e i r G o d s for t h e s e m i s f o r t u n e s , and d e m o n s t r a t e d t h e i r d i s a p p o i n t m e n t in D i v i n i t y w i t h a c a t h a r t i c c o m m o t i o n i n t h e i r t e m p l e s . T h e y w o u l d literally h a v e c o n f r o n t e d s t a t u e s o r r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s o f t h e i r divinities and acted o u t t h e i r p e n t - u p i n n e r f e e l i n g s i n n o u n c e r t a i n f a s h i o n . E x c i t a b l e individuals m i g h t r a g e a w a y a t t h e i r G o d s i n t h e c r u d e s t fashion, p o u r i n g f o r t h t o r r e n t s o f a b u s e , r e p r o a c h e s , and e v e r y kind o f c o n d e m n a t i o n . O t h e r s m i g h t simply give v e n t t o a s e n s e o f feeling h u r t and n e g l e c t e d , r e m i n d i n g t h e D e i t y t h a t b e t t e r t r e a t m e n t w a s e x p e c t e d f r o m s o h i g h a n E n t i t y . H o w e v e r t h o s e people acted, t h e y r e l e a s e d t h e i r t e n s i o n s t h r o u g h ritualized a c t i v i t i e s , g o t a n
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e n o r m o u s a m o u n t o f spiritual p o i s o n o u t o f t h e i r s y s t e m s , and felt c o n s i d e r a b l y r e l i e v e d and b e t t e r for t h e p r a c t i c e . M o r e i m p o r t a n t ly, t h e y m a y h a v e s e t c u r r e n t s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s i n a c t i o n w h i c h m i g h t initiate s o m e m i t i g a t i n g o r alleviating i n f l u e n c e t o w o r k w i t h ills c o m p l a i n e d of. Later, as might be expected, powerfully established systems of religion strongly discouraged any form of overt reproach or r e p r o v a l d i r e c t e d a g a i n s t official Concepts o f D i v i n i t y . T h a t s e e m e d t o o m u c h like c r i t i c i s m o f t h e ruling elite, w h i c h m i g h t h a v e s t i r r e d u p e n o u g h d i s c o n t e n t t o c a u s e civil t r o u b l e s a m o n g d i s g r u n t l e d s e c t i o n s o f t h e populace. T h e J u d a e o - C h r i s t i a n s y s t e m a l t e r e d its originally l i b e r a t i v e t h e m e and i n s t i t u t e d a D i v i n i t y identifying w i t h e c c l e s i a s t i c a l a n d civil a u t h o r i t y . T h i s m e a n t t h a t t h e w r e t c h e d r a n k and file o f m e m b e r s h i p had n o m e a n s o f e x p r e s s i n g r e s e n t m e n t . N o m a t t e r h o w badly t h e y fared i n this w o r l d , t h e y w e r e c o m m a n d e d t o a c c e p t s u c h t r e a t m e n t a s being t h e " W i l l o f G o d " , w h o would u l t i m a t e l y r e w a r d t h e m i n H e a v e n for t h e i r u n c o m p l a i n i n g s u f f e r i n g s o n e a r t h . T h e y w e r e e v e n s u p p o s e d t o t h a n k t h e s a m e G o d and His b e n e v o l e n t C h u r c h for h a v i n g t h e m b u r n e d alive t o save t h e r e m n a n t s o f t h e i r i m m o r t a l s o u l s . I s i t a n y w o n d e r t h a t deep and implacable h a t r e d s o f G o d s and C h u r c h e s alike b e c a m e indelibly i m p r i n t e d i n t o h u m a n souls. T h e s a m e i s t r u e today. H o w i s a n y o n e t o f o r m u l a t e and e x p r e s s deeply s e a t e d and d e s t r u c t i v e r e s e n t m e n t a g a i n s t social and o t h e r i n j u s t i c e s o f life presided o v e r a t a v e r y r e m o t e d i s t a n c e b y a n allegedly b e n e f i c e n t D e i t y ? S h o r t o f t e r r o r i s m and a t h e i s m , w h i c h h a v e n o t h i n g but evil e f f e c t s e v e r y w h e r e , t h e r e a p p e a r t o b e n o r e c o g n i z a b l e m e t h o d s o f s h o w i n g a c t i v e disapproval o f D i v i n i t y a s m i s i n t e r p r e t e d b y M a n k i n d . S o , deeply c o n t i n u e d hurts and hates are genetically transferred from one lifetime to a n o t h e r , w h i l e o n and o n g o e s t h e b i t t e r s t o r y o f h u m a n i n n e r r e s i s t a n c e a g a i n s t w h a t e v e r m a k e s e a r t h - l i f e m i s e r a b l e and unhappy. T h i s i s w h e r e skilled r i t u a l i s t s can provide v e r y practical h e l p b y w o r k i n g o u t w a y s o f r e l e a s i n g a n d n e u t r a l i z i n g t h o s e deadly r e p r e s s e d r e s e n t m e n t s and feelings i n h u m a n b e i n g s w h i c h will c h a n n e l t h e l i b e r a t e d e n e r g y i n t o useful a n d beneficial p a t h w a y s . I t i s t r u e t h a t s o m e p s y c h i a t r i c specialists h a v e b e e n e x p e r i m e n t ing a l o n g s u c h lines for q u i t e a w h i l e , t h o u g h w i t h v e r y e r r a t i c and uncertain results. Patients have been encouraged to scream their
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h e a d s off, s a v a g e l y a t t a c k d u m m y f i g u r e s r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e i r pet h a t e s , v o m i t h e a r t i l y , o r e x p r e s s t h e i r l o a t h i n g o f life i n v a r i o u s o t h e r a c t s o f a r r a n g e d v i o l e n c e . T h a t m a y i n d e e d afford t e m p o r a r y r e l i e f f r o m t h e i r t e n s i o n s , like m a s t u r b a t i o n d o e s , b u t it is no long term or satisfactory a n s w e r to their problems, because there has been no proper redirection of expended energy i n t o c o r r e c t i v e c h a n n e l s . D i s c o v e r i n g s o m e ideal m e a n s o f dealing w i t h t h i s difficult q u e s t i o n is s u r e l y a p r i o r i t y t a s k for m o d e r n Western esotericists. T h e r e i s e n o u g h t o b e d o n e for o u r T r a d i t i o n o n p u r e l y s c h o l a s t i c lines to k e e p a small a r m y of specialists occupied f o r s o m e y e a r s yet. W h a t w e really n e e d m o s t are far f e w e r r e h a s h e r s , and many m o r e original thinkers opening up g r e a t e r o p p o r t u n i t i e s for a d v e n t u r o u s f o l l o w e r s . W h y else s h o u l d w e b o t h e r at all w i t h past m a g i c a l p r a c t i c e e x c e p t to h e l p us m a k e a g o o d flexible s p r i n g b o a r d for t a k i n g p r e s e n t day trial trips t o w a r d I n n e r spiritual S p a c e . N e v e r t h e l e s s , t h e g r e a t e s t c a u t i o n will a l w a y s b e n e e d e d t o guide e v e n t h e m o s t i n s p i r e d g u e s s e s . F o r i n s t a n c e , a n i m p o r t a n t point o f t e n o v e r l o o k e d i n studies o f t h e W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n i s t h a t its i n n e r w i s d o m can d e g e n e r a t e a s well a s a p p r e c i a t e . F o r m e r l y c l e a r - c u t and v a l u a b l e p r o c e s s e s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s m a y slide s l o w l y d o w n until t h e y r e a c h b a r e s u r v i v a l level for c e n t u r i e s a s s u p e r s t i t i o n s a n d c u s t o m s c o n tinued without much meaning or apparent significance. Nevert h e l e s s , a s long a s t h e y r e m a i n i n s o m e kind o f c i r c u l a t i o n , m u c h o f t h e i r f o r m e r f o r c e can b e r e c o v e r e d b y i n t u i t i v e i n v e s t i g a t o r s . W e o w e o u r P e a s a n t s e c t i o n o f t h e T r a d i t i o n a c o n s i d e r a b l e debt for p r e s e r v i n g a lot of " l o s t " k n o w l e d g e in t h i s w a y t h r o u g h folktales and o t h e r m e a n s . A t r e m e n d o u s a m o u n t o f this has b e e n t u r n e d up in r e c e n t t i m e s , but h e r e a r e a c o u p l e of e x a m p l e s w h i c h a r e p r o b a b l y n o t s o well k n o w n . T h e first is t h e p r a c t i c e of sticking pins in a w a x i m a g e to c a u s e e q u i v a l e n t injuries t o w h o e v e r t h e i m a g e r e p r e s e n t e d . Although transference of energy by intention projected through s y m b o l i s m is a f u n d a m e n t a l of magical p r a c t i c e all o v e r t h e World, t h e w a x i m a g e c u s t o m a p p e a r s t o d e r i v e f r o m t h e a n c i e n t art o f a c u p u n c t u r e a s d e v e l o p e d b y t h e C h i n e s e . I n t e a c h i n g t h e art t h e y e m p l o y e d fairly l a r g e m o d e l s o f a h u m a n body m a d e o f w a x and c o v e r e d w i t h m a r k i n g s in r e d and black to indicate all vital points for i n s e r t i o n o f n e e d l e s . Pupils had t o p r a c t i c e and p r a c t i c e w i t h
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t h e s e m o d e l s for a v e r y l o n g t i m e b e f o r e b e i n g a l l o w e d t o t r e a t a n a c t u a l p a t i e n t . T h e y w e r e also s h o w n i n p a r t i c u l a r w h i c h z o n e s t o avoid, b e c a u s e i t w a s believed t h a t w r o n g p l a c e m e n t o f n e e d l e s could c a u s e disease and d e a t h . Pupils h a d t o satisfy e x a m i n e r s t h a t t h e y realized t h e risks r u n and w o u l d n e v e r e n d a n g e r t h e i r p a t i e n t s ' lives i n t e n t i o n a l l y by n e e d l i n g a n y fatal p o s i t i o n s on a living body. L i t t l e b y little this g e n e r a l idea leaked i n t o m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g m i n d s u t t e r l y u n a b l e t o deal w i t h s u c h c o n c e p t s and i t d e t e r i o r a t e d i n t o a s u p p o s i t i o n t h a t h u m a n s could be h u r t or killed by p u s h i n g pins i n t o r e p r e s e n t a t i v e i m a g e s m a d e o f w a x . N o w a n d again, o f c o u r s e , e n g e n d e r e d c u r r e n t s o f h a t e - t u n e d c o n s c i o u s n e s s did i n fact d a m a g e w h o e v e r t h e y w e r e a i m e d at, providing s u i t a b l e l i n k a g e w a s e s t a b l i s h e d . T h e doll i t s e l f w a s n o m o r e t h a n a focal point to h e l p c o n c e n t r a t e t h e r e q u i r e d i n n e r p o w e r . E v e n t u a l l y t h e w h o l e p r a c t i c e w a s devalued b y W e s t e r n e r s until i t s a n k d o w n t o " w i t c h c r a f t " levels, losing a l m o s t all o f its o r i g i n a l meanings. P o s s i b l y a m o d e r n W e s t e r n a t t e m p t t o r e t r i e v e this s i t u a t i o n i s t h e t h e o r y o f " R a d i o n i c s " . A spot o f blood o r body s e c r e t i o n f r o m t h e individual t o b e t r e a t e d i s r e l a t e d w i t h and e l e c t r o n i c t u n i n g circuit s u p p o s e d t o t r a n s m i t " h e a l i n g c u r r e n t s " t o w a r d s t h e p a t i e n t s w h e r e v e r t h e y h a p p e n t o b e physically. S o m e o p e r a t o r s o f this s y s t e m b e l i e v e i t helps i f t h e y also c o n c e n t r a t e o n a photograph or picture of the person in question. So do some "spiritual h e a l e r s " w h o like to h a v e a little physical l i n k a g e w i t h t h e i r d i s t a n t o b j e c t i v e s t h r o u g h a p i c t u r e , l o c k o f hair, o r a l m o s t any small i n t i m a t e o b j e c t . O u r " w a x i m a g e " ideas h a v e i m p r o v e d s o m e w h a t o v e r t h e c e n t u r i e s , and p e r h a p s m a y r e a c h a n a l t o g e t h e r h i g h e r and m u c h m o r e a c c u r a t e i n n e r m e a n s o f helping fellow h u m a n s w i t h " u n s e e n h a n d s " . A n o t h e r r e c o n d i t e i l l u s t r a t i o n o f old ideas g o n e w r o n g through misinterpretation i n t h e W e s t i s t h e sad d o w n f a l l o f flagellation i n t o s h e e r sadism and stupid c r u e l t y . A t o n e t i m e i n c e r t a i n i n i t i a t e d circles m a i n l y in E g y p t , it w a s a h i g h l y skilled p s y c h o l o g i c a l and t h e r a p e u t i c art. V e r y l o o s e l y , i t c o n s i s t e d o f e x p e r t application o f long t h i n rods m o s t l y t o t h e spinal a r e a w i t h e x t r e m e l y p r e c i s e p r e s s u r e s and r h y t h m s . T h i s s t i m u l a t e d o r d e p r e s s e d n e r v e c e n t r e s in s u c h a w a y as to a f f e c t - c o n s c i o u s n e s s b y calculated d e g r e e s i n specific d i r e c t i o n s . T h e s t r o k e s delivered
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called for a p r a c t i c e d and l o n g - t r a i n e d o p e r a t o r . T h e p r a c t i t i o n e r had t o k n o w w h e r e t o hit w i t h his s t i m u l a t o r s and also for h o w long, w i t h w h a t f r e q u e n c y . I n g e n e r a l , t h e b l o w s w e r e usually q u i t e light, flicking m o r e t h a n flogging. A l t o g e t h e r t h e e n t i r e e x e r c i s e w a s i n t e n d e d t o b e scientifically beneficial. Q u i t e a number of effects were noted. O n e was that the s u b j e c t ' s c o n s c i o u s n e s s b e c a m e s t i m u l a t e d and i n t e n s i f i e d to a m a r k e d d e g r e e . E v e n t u a l l y , t h e t r e a t m e n t e x t e n d e d t o t h e fields o f m e n t a l d i s o r d e r s , and i n t h e r i g h t h a n d s could i m p r o v e conditions of insanity. T h e n , too, there seemed to be s o m e good physical side e f f e c t s i n a m e l i o r a t i o n o f illness, especially r h e u m a t i c and a r t h r i t i c pains. T h e m y s t i c a l v a l u e o f t h e p r a c t i c e w a s principally d u r i n g p r e p a r a t o r y p h a s e s o f initiation p r o c e d u r e s . P r o p e r l y w o r k e d , it w a s i n t e n d e d to help t h e c a n d i d a t e r e a c h a s u i t a b l e s t a g e o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s for a p p r e c i a t i n g part o f t h e p r o c e e d i n g s as it should be e x p e r i e n c e d . W i t h a w e l l - t r a i n e d o p e r a t o r and t h e c a n d i d a t e i n t h e r i g h t f r a m e o f m i n d t o s t a r t w i t h , t h e e n t i r e o p e r a t i o n could be a rapid a n d efficient affair. T h i s became one of the most misused malpractices. From scientific s t i m u l a t i o n it s o o n d o w n - g r a d e d to b r u t a l floggings and i l l - t r e a t m e n t o f o f t e n helpless h u m a n s . V i c t i m s w e r e told t h e y had to s t a n d so m a n y l a s h e s as a c o n d i t i o n of initiation in o r d e r to t e s t t h e i r e n d u r a n c e o r e x p i a t e guilt. A n y kind o f e x c u s e s e r v e d for sadistic s u p e r i o r s to inflict pain and h u m i l i a t i o n on o t h e r s . As late a s t h e e i g h t e e n t h c e n t u r y , d e f e n c e l e s s l u n a t i c s w e r e s u b j e c t e d t o v i c i o u s b e a t i n g s all o v e r t h e i r b o d i e s . T h i s w a s believed t o i m p r o v e t h e i r b e h a v i o r , e v e n t h o u g h t h e r e w a s n o e v i d e n c e i t did any s u c h t h i n g . S c h o o l c h i l d r e n w e r e lashed for stupidity. A b e a t i n g w a s t h o u g h t t o b r i g h t e n t h e i r b r a i n s . M o n k s and n u n s flogged t h e m s e l v e s w i t h " d i s c i p l i n e s " till t h e i r backs w e r e p o u r i n g w i t h blood. T h e y t h o u g h t this w o u l d s t i m u l a t e spiritual feelings, " b e a t t h e D e v i l o u t o f t h e m " , bring t h e m credit for v i c a r i o u s suffering on behalf of others, soften the wrath of the Almighty, and e n t i t l e t h e m to a g r e a t s h a r e of h a p p i n e s s in h e a v e n b e c a u s e o f w h a t t h e y had e n d u r e d o n e a r t h . N o w o n d e r m o s t o l d - t i m e " G u a r d i a n s o f t h e M y s t e r i e s " tried t o k e e p details o f t h e i r p r o c e d u r e s s e c r e t . T h e y realized o n l y t o o w e l l h o w t h e s e would b e degraded and d e s e c r a t e d i f t h e y r e a c h e d u n w o r t h y m i n d s and hands.
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So when encountering interesting fragments of the Western I n n e r T r a d i t i o n , i t i s a l w a y s well t o w o n d e r w h a t p r o p o r t i o n o f t h e m m a y h a v e d e s c e n d e d f r o m n o b l e r a n c e s t r y and w h e t h e r t h e y s h o u l d b e r e c o n s t i t u t e d i n o u r t i m e s for any p e r t i n e n t p u r p o s e . On one hand it seems useless continuing with anything having little o r n o r e l e v a n c e n o w a d a y s , y e t o n t h e o t h e r , w e c a n n o t afford t o l o s e all t o u c h w i t h o n c e valid c o n c e p t s . T i m e s h a v e a h a b i t o f t u r n i n g full circle a f t e r v e r y p r o l o n g e d p e r i o d s , and w e m a y e v e n t u a l l y n e e d v e r y old t h i n g s f o r v e r y n e w r e a s o n s . F o r i n s t a n c e , w i t h all o u r v a u n t e d t e c h n o l o g y , w e still d a r e n o t n e g l e c t o u r k n o w l e d g e o f p r i m i t i v e skills w h i c h could b e n e e d e d y e t t o s a v e t h e r e m n a n t s o f o u r civilization a f t e r i t c r a s h e s . L u c k i l y , this is being realized in s o m e q u a r t e r s , a n d a d v e n t u r o u s y o u n g people a r e b e i n g e n c o u r a g e d t o t a k e t r a i n i n g c o u r s e s i n w i l d e r n e s s living a n d s u r v i v a l t e c h n i q u e s . O n c e l e a r n e d t h e s e a r e n e v e r f o r g o t t e n , and a r e passed d o w n a l o n g t h e line o f t h e i r c h i l d r e n . T h o s e a r e t h e people w h o will b e n e e d e d t o c o m e f o r w a r d in t h e e v e n t of a civilization collapse, to s t a r t building a n e w world out of the ruins. Specialists w h o k n o w h o w to m a n i p u l a t e m a r k e t s a n d m a k e millions w o u l d b e u t t e r l y w o r t h l e s s t h e n . A n y o n e k n o w i n g h o w t o c a t c h and c o o k food o r c o n s t r u c t s o u n d s h e l t e r s for families w o u l d b e b e y o n d price. O n c e m o r e o u r yourtg S a c r e d K i n g s w o u l d lay d o w n t h e i r lives for t h e s a k e o f tribal s u r v i v a l a n d o u r T r a d i t i o n a l p a t t e r n o f living c o n t i n u e s its c o u r s e t h r o u g h a n o t h e r cycle. N o m a t t e r h o w m a r v e l o u s m o d e r n m a n e v e r b e c o m e s , w e will a l w a y s b e e n t i r e l y d e p e n d e n t i n this w o r l d u p o n basic supplies o f food, fuel, a n d f i t m e n t s . W i t h o u t t h e s e w e c a n n o t c o n t i n u e o u r c u r r e n t c o u r s e s and w o u l d h a v e t o fall back upon p r e v i o u s levels o f living. T h a t i s w h e r e T r a d i t i o n w o u l d p r o v e its i n e s t i m a b l e value by connecting up our consciousness with points on our preplodded P a t h s w e e i t h e r m i s s e d a t t h e t i m e o r paid n o a t t e n t i o n t o b e c a u s e w e w e r e a i m i n g e l s e w h e r e . T h e r e i s a g r e a t deal i n o u r past w e could h a v e d o n e o r m i g h t h a v e a c c o m p l i s h e d h a d w e n o t b e e n c o m i n g o u r p r e s e n t Way. S h o u l d c i r c u m s t a n c e s e v e r drive u s b a c k o n o u r t r a c k s , and w e h a d t o r e - i n v e s t i g a t e u n d e v e l o p e d p a s t potentials, awakened intuitions aroused .through our Inner T r a d i t i o n w o u l d s t a r t leading u s along f r e s h and q u i t e p r o b a b l y b e t t e r lines o f living a l t o g e t h e r .
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It is the magical branch of our Tradition which mostly m a i n t a i n s t h o s e c o n s c i o u s i n n e r l i n k a g e s w i t h o t h e r and h i g h e r o r d e r s o f living i n t e l l i g e n c e . R e l i g i o n m a y b e a n officially a p p r o v e d a g e n c y for c o n t a c t w i t h s u p e r i o r spiritual a u t h o r i t i e s , but h o w m a n y h u m a n s really a c c e p t t h i s i n t h e i r h e a r t s ? C e r t a i n l y n o t those who control our socio-commercial structure through the c o u r s e o f civilization. T h e y d i s c o v e r e d l o n g a g o t h a t o r g a n i z e d religion w a s a v e r y p r a c t i c a l m e a n s o f m a s s - m a n a g e m e n t i f its h u m a n directions w e r e offered a large e n o u g h percentage, and so i t h a s b e e n e v e r s i n c e . M a g i c a l l y m o t i v a t e d individuals are n o m o r e i m m u n e f r o m p e c u n i a r y p r e s s u r e s t h a n a n y o n e else, but t h e y a r e usually w i d e r a w a k e t o i n n e r i n f l u e n c e s a n d t e n d t o v a l u e their initiated identities considerably above average market prices of h u m a n souls. On the whole, it is a simple question of "occult economics", M o s t m a g i c a l l y a w a k e n e d individuals feel t h e y h a v e w o r k e d long and h a r d for m a n y i n c a r n a t i o n s t o a c h i e v e w h a t e v e r d e g r e e o f spiritual i n d e p e n d e n c e t h e y m a y h a v e r e a c h e d . T h i s h a s c o s t t h e m a g r e a t deal in t e r m s of e x p e r i e n c e , s u f f e r i n g , and h u m a n e n d u r a n c e t h r o u g h c i r c u m s t a n c e s o f all c o n c e i v a b l e kinds. T o risk t h e r e s u l t s o f all t h i s e f f o r t for t h e s a k e o f e p h e m e r a l e a r t h l y o f f e r s w o u l d be u n t h i n k a b l e . In m a t e r i a l t e r m s , it w o u l d be t a n t a m o u n t t o a p r o s p e r o u s p e r s o n p u t t i n g t h e w h o l e o f his wealth into a single stockholding which would make him a m i l l i o n a i r e for a f e w w e e k s , t h e n p l u n g e h i m i n t o a s t a t e of p o v e r t y r u i n i n g t h e r e s t o f his life. S o m e s o u l s m i g h t b e i n s a n e enough to do just that. Medieval magicians w e r e reputed to offer t h e i r souls for s e v e n y e a r s o f l u x u r y . T h e r e i s n o t h i n g t o s h o w h o w m a n y , i f e v e n o n e , m a n a g e d t o sell t h e m s e l v e s for t h a t m u c h . W h o e v e r a t t e m p t s t o live m a g i c a l l y m u s t a l s o accept its o b l i g a t i o n s and pains. T h e m o s t t o h o p e for i s t h a t t h e s e will c o m e in mild i n s t a l l m e n t s at a r e a s o n a b l e a n d b e a r a b l e r a t e ! In b y g o n e t i m e s , i n i t i a t o r y T e m p l e p r e c e p t o r s tried t h e i r b e s t t o m a k e this evident and unmistakable to enthusiastic e n t r a n t s . T h e s e w e r e r e p e a t e d l y w a r n e d a n d r e m i n d e d i n e v e r y possible w a y t h a t i n n e r p r o g r e s s had to be paid for in full. E v e r y t h i n g w a s done to d i s c o u r a g e t h e m f r o m g o i n g a h e a d o n t h e i r P a t h s u n l e s s and until t h e y realized t h e t r e m e n d o u s r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s e n t a i l e d . T o d a y , t h e s a m e s t r i c t u r e s apply, t h o u g h i t s e e m s a pity t h a t t h e facts o f i n n e r life a r e s e l d o m m a d e u n c o m p r o m i s i n g l y c l e a r for
138 / A N O U T L O O K O N O U R I N N E R W E S T E R N W A Y
t h o s e w h o t r y and a w a k e n t o t h e m . I t m i g h t b e a v e r y g o o d t h i n g i f m o d e r n e x p o n e n t s o f o u r T r a d i t i o n l e a n e d w i t h a little h a r d e r e m p h a s i s o n t h e duties and o b l i g a t i o n s w h i c h Life i t s e l f lays heavily on the shoulders of those w h o think themselves suitable t o s e r v e its c a u s e . L e t a n y s u c h soul b e f o r c e d t o face and a c k n o w l e d g e his o w n l i m i t a t i o n s b y c a r e f u l trials and t e s t s t o s h o w him his t r u e capacity and capabilities. O n l y w h e n h e h a s fully realized and u n d e r s t o o d e x a c t l y h o w h e s t a n d s o n his I n n e r P a t h , s h o u l d h e b e allowed t o t a k e c o n s c i o u s l y self-sacrificial steps along it. M o r e and m o r e , t h e p o t e n t i a l and p r o j e c t i v e p o w e r o f p u r e consciousness is becoming apparent among mankind. S o o n e r or l a t e r , q u i t e o r d i n a r y folk a r e g o i n g t o o p e n t h e m s e l v e s u p f r o m inside and find o u t j u s t w h a t t h e y c a n d o w i t h c o n s c i o u s n e s s . W h e t h e r t h e y will d o t h e r i g h t o r w r o n g t h i n g s r e m a i n s t o b e s e e n . M o r e t h a n a g r e a t deal d e p e n d s o n h o w s e m i n a l s t r e a m s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s h a v e a l r e a d y b e e n handled b y m a g i c a l l y initiated souls s o m e w h a t a h e a d o f m a i n s t r e a m m a n k i n d . T h o s e specialists a r e s u p p o s e d t o p r o c e s s and r e - p r o j e c t t h e c u r r e n t s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s s o t h a t t h e y b e c o m e e a s i e r and b e t t e r for o t h e r s t o pick u p and deal w i t h . M o d e r n m a g i m u s t b e t h e m e d i a t o r s and m o d i f i e r s o f l i b e r a t i v e I n n e r I l l u m i n a t i o n s o t h a t w e m a y b e s t b e led b y L i g h t in t h e W e s t . V i r t u a l l y e v e r y o n e t a k i n g e v e n t h e least c o n s c i o u s part i n this p r o g r a m b e c o m e s ipso f a c t o a m e m b e r o f w h a t could b e called t h e Magical O r d e r of the W e s t e r n Way. This is a strangely secret society with a membership mostly u n k n o w n to each other, yet operating through a c o m m o n consciousness conjoined on inner levels. T h i s O r d e r has n o o r g a n i z a t i o n e v i d e n t o n e a r t h , n o b o d y a p p a r e n t l y i n a u t h o r i t y , n o r e c o g n i z a b l e r u l e s and n o disting u i s h a b l e m a r k s o f identification. I n fact, t h e r e i s n o t e v e n any solid p r o o f o f its e x i s t e n c e . O r d i n a r y i n v e s t i g a t o r s w o u l d d i s c o v e r n o t h i n g but a n u n c e r t a i n n u m b e r o f individuals b e h a v i n g a s i f t h e y w e r e m o t i v a t e d b y u n u s u a l beliefs q u i t e b e y o n d v e r i f i c a t i o n by orthodox academic standards. N o n e but those with exceptionally a w a k e n e d i n n e r p e r c e p t i o n s s h o u l d s u s p e c t t h e spiritual s t r u c t u r e linking all t h o s e individual lives t o g e t h e r in a c o m m o n c a u s e t h e y w e r e v e r y willing t o s e r v e . T h a t i s t h e w a y i t will h a v e t o b e i f w e a r e t o hold a n y g r e a t h o p e s for o u r future. In old R o s i c r u c i a n p a r l a n c e , this w a s called
T h e M o r e I t C h a n g e s . . . " / 139
the "Invisible G o v e r n m e n t " , reputed to be collections of cons c i o u s n e s s o r " C o l l e g e s " , linking b a c k t o a D i v i n e d i r e c t o r a t e . T h i s w a s n o t m e a n t t o indicate s o m e t h i n g t h a t d i c t a t e d o r d e c r e e d o u r destiny in an arbitrary fashion. T h e term " C o l l e g e " was used to m e a n a n i n w a r d l y available advisory s e r v i c e s o t h a t w e could learn h o w t o live p r o p e r l y a s h u m a n s o n o u r p a t h w a y s t o p e r f e c t i o n . W h e t h e r o r n o t w e did s o w a s a n d still i s o u r o w n r e s p o n s i b i l i t y e n t i r e l y . I f w e a r e i n t e r e s t e d i n saving o u r s e l v e s , t h e n w e m u s t become our o w n Sacred Kings. S u c h is the hard, yet at the same time heartening " M e s s a g e " that modern Mankind must sooner or l a t e r a c c e p t . S h o u l d t h a t b e t o o m u c h for o r d i n a r y m o r t a l s t o c o m p r e h e n d , t h e n t h e i r m a g i c a l l y e n l i g h t e n e d b r e t h r e n will h a v e to m e d i a t e it on t h e i r behalf. As usual!
9. What Now?
T h e magic m a n k i n d n e e d s m o s t i n a n y c e n t u r y i s o n e w h i c h will d i r e c t t h e drives o f o u r individual and c o l l e c t i v e c o n s c i o u s n e s s t o w a r d h i g h e r a n d finer a i m s in living. It is painfully o b v i o u s in o u r p r e s e n t e r a t h a t w e m u s t e i t h e r drastically a l t e r o u r s e l v e s i n w a r d l y , o r face v e r y d e s p e r a t e e x t r e m i t i e s o f e x i s t e n c e o n t h i s p l a n e t , W e h a v e c o m e t o t h e c r u n c h o f " e i t h e r — o r " a t last. E i t h e r we are prepared to start working in accordance with the " p e r f e c t i n g principle" b e h i n d o u r lives, o r w e are n o t . W e shall s t a n d or fall on t h a t single point a l o n e . I f w e i n t e n d t o p e r f e c t o u r s e l v e s , t h e n w e shall h a v e t o admit that higher beings than h u m a n s not only exist, but are s o m e h o w linked w i t h u s a l o n g lines o f Life leading t o t h e i r s u p e r i o r s t a t e s . M o r e o v e r , w e n e e d t o c o n n e c t o u r living w i t h t h e i r s b y w h a t e v e r m e a n s will i n f l u e n c e o u r c o n s c i o u s n e s s c o r r e c t l y . T h a t i s h o w a T r a d i t i o n helps us in t h i s world. T h i s is t h e p u r p o s e of its spiritual s t r u c t u r e , w h e t h e r w e call i t m a g i c , r e l i g i o n , p h i l o s o p h y , o r s o m e t h i n g else. T h e t r u e v a l u e o f a T r a d i t i o n i s e n a b l i n g its m e m b e r s t o s e e k t h e i r " R e a l I d e n t i t y " o n e v e r y level o f life. W h e n out of incarnation, h u m a n souls tend toward associative c i r c l e s a c c o r d i n g t o t h e i r i n h e r e n t s t a t e s o f spiritual d e v e l o p m e n t . T h e y a r e n o t all m i x e d t o g e t h e r a s i n e a r t h - l i f e , b u t
What N o w ? / 141
sorted into natural categories of essential entity. T h e r e is nothing stranger in this than separating chemical combinations into specific e l e m e n t s . I n t h e c a s e o f h u m a n s o u l s , h o w e v e r , i t r e s u l t s i n s t a t e s o n c e classified a s " H e a v e n , Hell, and P u r g a t o r y . " S o u l s a u t o m a t i c a l l y place t h e m s e l v e s a s t h e y c o r r e c t l y b e l o n g for w h a t e v e r t h e y a m o u n t t o a s individuals. F u r t h e r m o r e , t h e y a r e m o s t likely t o t r a v e l a l o n g i n n e r t r a c k s laid t h r o u g h T r a d i t i o n a l l y conditioned consciousness. Eventually, as they reincarnate, there is bound to be an inclination to reflect or recreate those inner experiences in terms of earth-living, except that close contact with o t h e r m i x e d m a s s e s o f m o r t a l s modifies m a t t e r s c o n s i d e r a b l y . T h i s is a m a i n a d v a n t a g e in i n c a r n a t i o n . It p r o v i d e s a p l a t f o r m for s o u l s i n widely d i f f e r e n t c a t e g o r i e s o f c r e a t i o n t o r e a c h a n d relate with each other under conditions of mutual manifestation. I t also a l l o w s u s o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o m a k e m u c h n e e d e d m o d i f i c a t i o n s a n d c h a n g e s i n o u r n a t u r e s w h i c h w o u l d o t h e r w i s e t a k e far m o r e t i m e and t r o u b l e t h r o u g h p r o l o n g e d p r o c e d u r e s o f p u r e l y spiritual advancement. In that sense, our c o m m o n world forms a very c o n v e n i e n t e n e r g y - e x c h a n g e for e n t i t i e s a c c e p t i n g c o n s c i o u s n e s s as a convenient medium of currency. All of us here, w h e t h e r h u m a n , a n i m a l , plant, o r a n y t h i n g else, h a v e s o m e t h i n g u n i q u e t o offer in exchange for necessities only obtainable from other beings. O c c u l t i s t s i n p a r t i c u l a r s h o u l d r e a l i z e t h a t t h e main r e a s o n w e r e i n c a r n a t e i s b e c a u s e w e a r e n o t p e r f e c t e n o u g h t o live i n better conditions of C o s m o s elsewhere. O u r chief purpose on this p l a n e t is o b t a i n i n g s u f f i c i e n t s t a t u r e on all levels of life to g e t away from it and stay in higher states altogether. So the vast m a j o r i t y o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n will a l w a y s c o n s i s t o f t h o s e souls t h a t are not ready for p e r m a n e n t residence in m o r e evolved states of c r e a t i o n . S t r i c t l y speaking, t h i s can n e v e r be a p e r f e c t w o r l d , b u t w e a r e h e r e t o learn h o w t o m a k e o n e f o r o u r s e l v e s i n spiritual d i m e n s i o n s . I n o r d e r t o d o this, w e n e e d i n f l u e n c e s and i n s p i r a t i o n s filtering d o w n t o u s t h r o u g h c h a i n s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s connected with those exalted spheres. T h a t means mediation of s o m e s o r t a l o n g t h e e n t i r e line. I f all t h i s w o r k e d a s i t s h o u l d , w e would be greatly m o r e advanced than we are at present. T h e r e f o r e our esoteric experts had best employ themselves finding o u t t h e faults o f o u r spiritual s y s t e m s and, i f possible,
142 / A N O U T L O O K O N
OUR
INNER WESTERN W A Y
getting them in good serviceable order again—assuming they w e r e o n c e a d e q u a t e i n t h e first place. O u r old-time Traditional system was straightforward in a h i e r a r c h i c a l w a y . A t t h e t o p o f its p s y c h o - s t r u c t u r e w a s t h e E t e r n a l E n t i t y . T h i s c o n s c i o u s n e s s p e r m e a t e d d o w n t h e scale o f " D i v i n e D e s c e n t " t h r o u g h a s e r i e s o f m e d i a t i o n s , until r e a c h i n g m a n k i n d and l o w e r y e t o n t h e L a d d e r o f L i f e . K e e p i n g close t o u c h w i t h h u m a n c o n s c i o u s n e s s a n d I n n e r I n t e l l i g e n c e alike, o u r S a c r e d K i n g s and A v a t a r s freely o f f e r e d t h e m s e l v e s and t h e i r s e r v i c e s for t h e s a k e o f t h o s e t h e y loved o n e a r t h . T h e i r d i s c a r n a t e f u n c t i o n w a s t o m a i n t a i n s u c h m e d i a t o r y c o n t a c t w i t h t h e i r folk t h r o u g h c h a n n e l s o f c o m m u n i c a t i o n kept c l e a r b y t r a i n e d specialists e v e n t u a l l y called p r i e s t s . T h e y had to pass this along in modified f o r m t o t h e n e x t class o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s , and s o o n t o t h e l e s s e r end o f t h e h u m a n c h a i n . P r e s u m a b l y t h e s e last o n t h e list passed o n t h e i r p o r t i o n s i n t o t h e a n i m a l s and p l a n t s t h e y tended, and whatever materials, metals, or minerals they came in contact w i t h . S o w a s m a n - m e d i a t e d c o n s c i o u s n e s s s u p p o s e d t o c y c l e its w a y t h r o u g h o u r k i n g d o m i n t o o t h e r s and back t o D i v i n i t y again b e a r i n g beneficial r e s u l t s all a r o u n d . A beautiful t h e o r y , but o n e w h i c h could o n l y be p r a c t i c e d t h r o u g h the strictest a r r a n g e m e n t of stratified society, wherein e v e r y o n e lived h a r m o n i o u s l y t o g e t h e r . All t h e s a m e , it f o r m e d a b a s e p a t t e r n w h i c h still m a k e s a model f o r W e s t e r n M a g i c i a n s t o copy w h i l e c o n s t r u c t i n g t h e i r individual m i c r o c o s m s . W e m u s t discover h o w to become that whole society in each of ourselves. W e w o n ' t l e a r n this f r o m a n y p r i n t e d pages o f i n s t r u c t i o n s o r a n y a m o u n t o f talking d o n e b y t h e m o s t i m p r e s s i v e t e a c h e r s . M o d e r n W e s t e r n e r s h a v e a t e n d e n c y t o rely far m o r e o n p r i n t i n g a n d p r e a c h i n g t h a n t h e y r i g h t l y s h o u l d . S p i r i t u a l t r u t h s o r real " o c c u l t s e c r e t s " c a n n o t possibly b e i m p a r t e d b y s u c h m e a n s . T h e y a r e o n l y t r a n s m i t t a b l e i n w a r d l y o n direct lines o f c o n t a c t b e t w e e n o n e c o n s c i o u s n e s s and a n o t h e r . N o r c a n t h e y b e e x p r e s s e d a t all o n e a r t h - l e v e l s e x c e p t b y s u g g e s t i v e s y m b o l i s m , w h i c h m a y induce individuals t o s e e k i n n e r r e a l i t i e s b e c a u s e o f g l i m p s e s r e c e i v e d from outer reflections. In earlier eras this was b e t t e r understood. N o n e would expect a " T e a c h e r " to give long explanatory lectures and s h e a v e s o f s e c r e t i n s t r u c t i o n s i n w r i t i n g . D i s c i p l e s simply came closely around their chosen Mediator, absorbing what they
What Now?
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needed from the currents of pure consciousness circulating in that type o f m a g i c circle. W e v e r y m u c h n e e d t o r e - l e a r n this m e t h o d i n our times. It is sad t h a t official f o r m a t i v e e d u c a t i o n s e e m s so i n a d e q u a t e for c o n c e i v i n g o r coping w i t h t h e specific c o n t a c t s o f i n n e r c o n s c i o u s n e s s w e h u m a n s r e q u i r e for lifting o u r s e l v e s a b o v e m a t e r i a l a l t i t u d e s . N o r m i g h t a n y r e l i a n c e b e placed o n c o n s p i c u o u s l y " w a y o u t " c h a r a c t e r s w i t h t o r t u o u s t h e o r i e s , peculiar p r a c t i c e s , o r o t h e r odd c u s t o m s . I n t h e end i t r e m a i n s t h e responsibility of unobtrusive Western Traditionalists to make t h o s e vital c o n t a c t s , t h e n r e - c y c l e t h e m t h r o u g h c u r r e n t fields o f our common consciousness. W h e n w e c o m e t o c o n s i d e r t h e tides o f h u m a n t h o u g h t i n general, one strange factor seems apparent. T h e thinking of millions is s e r i o u s l y i n f l u e n c e d by m a y b e a f e w t h o u s a n d minds at most. T h o s e particular thousands are influenced to relative d e g r e e s b y p e r h a p s a h u n d r e d o r less c o m p a r a b l e s o u r c e s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s . H o w m a n y o f t h e s e again a r e m a k i n g t h e " m a s t e r c o n c e p t s " ? L a s t l y , w h o m i g h t b e t h e s i n g l e m i n d behind t h e s m a l l e s t and m o s t s e l e c t c i r c l e ? Is all o u r i n c a r n a t e i n t e l l i g e n c e s u m m e d u p b y o n e individual living i n s e c u r e s e c r e c y s o m e w h e r e w i t h t h e w e i g h t o f t h e w o r l d upon h i m like a n a r c h e t y p a l A t l a s ? H o w e v e r m u c h of a s c i e n c e fiction s t o r y t h i s s u p p o s i t i o n s e e m s , it i s i m p o s s i b l e t o dismiss t h e idea a l t o g e t h e r . E a r l i e r M y s t e r y s y s t e m s p o s t u l a t e d a " s u p e r - s o u l " o f t h a t kind u n d e r v a r i o u s t i t l e s , t h e m o s t familiar t o u s being " L O G O S " , o r W o r d . T h i s L o g o s - c o n c e p t is a l m o s t s e l f - e x p l a n a t o r y . A w o r d is t e c h n i c a l l y a s u m m a t i o n of c o n s c i o u s n e s s c o m m o n to all w h o s h a r e it. T h e m o r e c o n s c i o u s n e s s c o n c e r n e d , t h e m o r e significant and i m p o r t a n t w o r d s b e c o m e . E v e r y individual is t h u s analogically a W o r d as e x p r e s s e d by his t o t a l a w a r e n e s s . S u c h is supposed to be symbolized by initiatory "Magical N a m e s . " If C o s m o s is the creation of an "All-Conceiver", then the summative N a m e of that Being is the M a s t e r - w o r d of total manifestation. Hence the p a s s a g e : "In t h e b e g i n n i n g w a s t h e W o r d . . . , " b e c a u s e a n initial impulse comparable to the concept of a Word began everything. H e n c e also t h e magical i m p o r t a n c e o f " w o r d s " , w h i c h a r e actually neither written nor spoken h u m a n utterances, but condensations o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s h a v i n g sufficient f o r c e a n d m e a n i n g t o initiate
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c h a n g e s along c h a i n s o f e x i s t e n c e e x t e n d i n g t h r o u g h m a n y levels of life. Practitioners of modern Western magic need to become quite literally " W o r d s " o f s u c h a s o r t i n t h e m s e l v e s . W o r d s w h i c h will h e l p c h a n g e t h e c o u r s e o f o u r civilization f r o m inside. T h a t i s o n e g o o d r e a s o n w h y i t w a s forbidden t o u t t e r o n e ' s " M a g i c a l N a m e " aloud, y e t e n c o u r a g e d to s o u n d it c o n s t a n t l y in o n e ' s i n t e r i o r s e c r e t self. T h e point w a s t o k e e p steadily and c o n t i n u a l l y radiating o n e ' s f u n d a m e n t a l c h a n g e - f r e q u e n c y i n t h e d i r e c t i o n o f D i v i n i t y . W h e n this i s a c t i v a t e d , t h e r e s t will r e s o l v e i n t o m a t t e r s o f a r r a n g i n g and c h a n n e l l i n g t h e r e s u l t a n t f o r c e . O n e point h a s t o b e m a d e e n t i r e l y and a b s o l u t e l y clear. T h e r e must be nothing whatever of a coercive nature about the inner i n f l u e n c e m e d i a t e d f r o m t h e s e h i g h e r levels t o w a r d s o u r fellow m o r t a l s . T h a t i s t o say, w e s h o u l d n o t d e l i b e r a t e l y i m p o s e o u r o w n p u r e l y p e r s o n a l ideas upon i t i n t h e s e n s e o f t r y i n g t o c o m p e l others into compliance with our dictates. Any attempts of that kind w o u l d o n l y distort and i n t e r f e r e w i t h t h e i n f l u e n c e , m a k i n g i t i n e f f e c t i v e or misleading w i t h r e g a r d to its original m i s s i o n . A " W o r d " m u s t n e v e r b e deliberately imposed o n a n y o n e , b u t o n l y m a d e available and offered. It is t h e n for all to accept, r e f u s e or modify it as t h e y will. H u m a n n a t u r e r e q u i r e s a n awful lot o f a l t e r a t i o n , especially f o r t h e b e t t e r . E v e r y single c o n t r i b u t i o n o f adapted c o n s c i o u n e s s aimed in that general direction is of value. Magically made c o n t r i b u t i o n s a r e o f special value, b e c a u s e t h e y a r e c o n s t r u c t e d with the close co-operation of inner intelligences concerned with humanity. Not only that, but the various strains of our h u m a n race have their particular contacts of inner guardianship which o f f e r t h e m o s t direct and c o n v e n i e n t m e a n s f o r m a k i n g spiritual relationships. It is the unique responsibility of modern W e s t e r n m a g i t o s e e k and k e e p t h e c l o s e s t c o n t a c t possible w i t h t h o s e special s o u r c e s o f c o s m i c c o - o p e r a t i o n . W h e t h e r s u c h m a g i c i s w o r k e d b y ritualistic o r o t h e r m e t h o d s is b e s i d e t h e point. R i t u a l i s m is b u t a single b r a n c h on o u r m y s t i c a l T r e e o f I n n e r Life. I t i s u n d o u b t e d l y i m p o r t a n t , d e m a n d i n g v a l u a b l e discipline, and c e r t a i n l y a n e s s e n t i a l f a c t o r o f o u r T r a d i t i o n . Y e t i t i s p u r e l y s u p p o r t i v e t o o u r principle spiritual p u r p o s e . I n t h e end, t h e e n t i r e m e a n i n g o f m a g i c w i t h i n t h e
What Now? / 145 W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n is change—change of c o n d i t i o n s , s t a t e s , c i r c u m s t a n c e s , p e r s o n s , places, and c o n s c i o u s n e s s . O u r m a g i c a l l e g e n d s and m y t h s a r e t a l e s o f t r a n s f o r m a t i o n . T h e m o s t magical c h a n g e o f all t i m e s i s t h a t o f a S a c r e d K i n g f r o m h u m a n i t y t o D i v i n i t y . M a n i n t o G o d i s n o t o n l y o u r u l t i m a t e magic, b u t also t h e h i g h e s t h e r i t a g e h a n d e d d o w n t o u s i n o u r days t h r o u g h o u r s e c r e t spiritual T r a d i t i o n . T h e r e f o r e , e v e n t h e least m a g i c a l i n t e n t i o n o r a c t i v i t y w o r k e d w i t h i n t h e W e s t s h o u l d be s e e n as a slight s t e p in t h a t D i v i n e direction. B e f o r e c o n t e m p l a t i n g any m a g i c a l o p e r a t i o n w h a t e v e r , t h e m o t i v a t i n g q u e s t i o n should be asked: " W h a t am I i n t e n d i n g to c h a n g e ? M y s e l f ? O t h e r s ? F r o m w h a t t o w h a t ? W h y ? " and s o f o r t h . O n l y w h e n c l e a r ideas o n t h o s e i s s u e s a r e o b t a i n e d should ' any m a g i c a l p r o c e d u r e s b e initiated. F o r e x a m p l e , prior t o q u i t e minor meditations it might be formulated: "I am trying to change my condition of consciousness from mundane objectivity to an i n n e r a w a r e n e s s o f s u c h and s u c h f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f s o and s o . " O n c e t h e c h a n g e - m o t i v a t i o n b e c o m e s plainly r e c o g n i z e d , i t will m a k e a s u r p r i s i n g d i f f e r e n c e . U n e x p e c t e d c h a n n e l s o p e n up in t h e m i n d , and g o - a h e a d s a p p e a r in o t h e r w i s e d u b i o u s and difficult approaches. T h r o u g h the centuries, our W e s t e r n Inner Tradition has a c c o m m o d a t e d i t s e l f t o all s o r t s o f c h a n g e s i n o r d e r t o c o n t i n u e its m e s s a g e a m o n g us. N o w i t faces o u r m o s t c h a l l e n g i n g c h a n g e i n history. Are we to remain on earth as a mass of manipulated m e d i o c r i t i e s , or realize a r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h e a c h o t h e r as i n t e g r a t i v e individuals l o o k i n g for h i g h e r life-levels? W h i c h ? O u r e n t i r e T r a d i t i o n b e l o n g s w i t h t h e principles o f D e l i v e r a n c e , L i b e r a t i o n / E m a n c i p a t i o n , S e l f - g o v e r n m e n t , i n t h e s e n s e o f giving people full r e s p o n s i b i l i t y for t h e i r civil and c o s m i c b e h a v i o r . I n t h e past, w h e n t h e f u n d a m e n t a l s o f o u r T r a d i t i o n w e r e t h r e a t e n e d b y i n i m i c a l i n v a d e r s o f o u r "spiritual space", o u r " i n n e r a r i s t o c r a c y " led u s t o w a r d l i b e r a t i o n utilizing hidden r e s e r v o i r s o f faith i n o u r o w n " r i g h t - r o o t e d n e s s " . F r o m t h o s e p o w e r f u l points w e r e s e n t o u t supplies and a s s i s t a n c e of all kinds. As a rule, t h e h u m a n s c o n c e r n e d usually s h o o k t h e m s e l v e s sufficiently alert t o push aside s o m e i m m e d i a t e perils, t u r n e d torpidly a w a y , and dozed o f f again until t h e n e x t d a n g e r b e c a m e t o o o b v i o u s t o avoid. S o w e h a v e m o r e o r less muddled from o n e crisis o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s to another through the ages.
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N o t h i n g could b e m o r e d a n g e r o u s t o t h o s e w i t h i n t h e W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n t h a n blindly r e l y i n g u p o n o u r " I n n e r G u a r d i a n s " t o a v e r t all t h e evils w e e n g e n d e r for o u r s e l v e s i n t h i s world. I f w e s i n c e r e l y w a n t t h o s e evils a b a t e d w e shall h a v e t o d o t h a t ourselves while we are incarnate, h o w e v e r m u c h we need help f r o m h i g h e r h a n d s t h a n o u r s . T h e m a g i c w h i c h w o r k s b e s t i n this world has to be w o r k e d by and t h r o u g h those of this world. If h u m a n s are to be affected by magic, then h u m a n agencies must be u s e d for t h a t p u r p o s e o n e w a y o r a n o t h e r . O u r spiritual s u p p o r t e r s m a y b e able t o p u s h i n n e r p o w e r s r i g h t u p t o o u r v e r y g a t e s , b u t i f w e really i n t e n d using t h e s e p o w e r s o n o u r living levels h e r e , w e shall h a v e t o b r i n g t h e m t h r o u g h t h o s e p o r t a l s o u r s e l v e s and m e d i a t e t h e m a m o n g f e l l o w m e n and w o m e n . O t h e r w i s e w e m i g h t a s w e l l a b a n d o n o u r T r a d i t i o n a l t o g e t h e r and let o u r s e l v e s b e o v e r t a k e n b y its o p p o n e n t s u n d e r c o n d i t i o n s o f their choice. To be truly effective, modern magic must extend into every field o f h u m a n e x p e r i e n c e . I n s c i e n c e , f o r i n s t a n c e , i t s h o u l d e m e r g e a s s o m e specialized part o f t h e s c i e n t i f i c s c e n e . I n religion, it could a p p e a r as a re-vitalizing i n f l u e n c e c o n n e c t e d w i t h C h r i s t i a n o r o t h e r s y s t e m a t i c c r e d o - c o n c e p t s . I n all c u l t u r a l d i r e c t i o n s i t h a s t o m a k e its m a r k u n o b t r u s i v e l y y e t a c c e p t a b l y t o average W e s t e r n awareness. It has already camouflaged itself under the general heading of "Parapsychology," which covers p r o c e d u r e s p r e v i o u s l y o n l y k n o w n and p r a c t i c e d b y i n i t i a t o r y g r o u p s . E v e n t h e a r c a n e activities o f ritual m a g i c i t s e l f a r e steadily classifying t h e m s e l v e s as " p s y c h o d r a m a t i c s " . N o t a single fundam e n t a l principle h a s b e e n c h a n g e d i n t h e s l i g h t e s t , but b y a l t e r i n g a t t i t u d e s t h r o u g h c h a n g i n g c o n c e p t s , m a g i c is at last r e t u r n i n g in t h e W e s t t o its p r i m a l p o s i t i o n o f i m p o r t a n c e i n o u r living Tradition. T h e o b v i o u s d a n g e r o f this i s i f o v e r - r i d i n g c o n t r o l o f t h o s e c u r r e n t s s h o u l d c o m e i n t o t h e w r o n g h a n d s and be~used for evil e n d s . L e g e n d s o f t h e W e s t are full o f s t o r i e s a b o u t past civilizations d e s t r o y e d b y a n d for t h a t v e r y r e a s o n . A t l a n t i s , t h e a n t e d e l u v i a n w o r l d and M u a r e j u s t t w o e x a m p l e s . W h e t h e r factual o r n o t , t h e w a r n i n g i s built i n t o o u r T r a d i t i o n a l tales, and is a l s o s t a r i n g us s t r a i g h t in t h e face as a p r e s e n t possibility. W h e n e n o u g h h u m a n s realize t h a t s e t t i n g t h e i r w o r l d r i g h t s t a r t s w i t h s e t t i n g t h e m s e l v e s r i g h t , m a g i c will w o r k m o r e
What Now? / 147
w o n d e r s t h a n a n y t h i n g else. F a c i l i t a t i n g t h i s p r o c e s s i s u n d o u b t e d l y t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t f u n c t i o n o f f u t u r e m a g i c a l and o c c u l t m o v e m e n t s w i t h i n t h e W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n . I t m a y well b e t h a t t e c h n i c a l t e r m s and s y s t e m s will c h a n g e c o n s i d e r a b l y t o suit arising n e e d s and c i r c u m s t a n c e s , b u t u n d e r n e a t h e v e r y t h i n g , l i n k a g e s w i t h o u r T r a d i t i o n a l lines will c o n t i n u e . O n e n o t a b l e a d v a n c e will b e t h e f a d e - o u t o f old a u t h o r i t a r i a n a s s o c i a t i o n s i n favor o f s e l f - s e l e c t i v e circles o f c o - p a r t n e r s a c t i n g i n m u t u a l l y compensative h a r m o n y . O u t g r o w n "grades" and antiquated " T i t l e s " , t o g e t h e r w i t h p r o c e d u r e s n o w p u r p o s e l e s s , will b e s u p e r s e d e d b y i m p r o v e d t e c h n i q u e s and c u s t o m s m o r e i n k e e p i n g w i t h m o d e r n capabilities. P e o p l e will t e n d t o find t h e i r rightful places for t h e m s e l v e s w i t h i n any h u m a n g r o u p i n g r a t h e r t h a n b e pushed into positions by some " S u p r e m e Council." Because of i m p r o v i n g c o m m u n i c a t i o n s , m o r e and m o r e people w h o are c o n s c i o u s o f T r a d i t i o n will b e d r a w n t o g e t h e r . T h e y c a n t h e n m a k e a magical c h o i c e o f c l o s e r c o m p a n i o n s h i p for t h e s a k e o f m o r e h i g h l y specialized spiritual w o r k i n g s . T o t a k e a couple o f e x a m p l e s e m e r g i n g i n t h i s c e n t u r y , w e h a v e t h e r a t h e r u n u s u a l u p s u r g e n c e o f i n t e r e s t i n " l e y s " , and r e p u t e d g r o u n d Z o d i a c s o r o t h e r t o p o g r a p h i c a l d e s i g n s i n specific localities. T h e " m a g i c " o f t h e s e lies i n t h e i r p a t t e r n i n g a s s o c i a t e d w i t h n a t u r a l c o u n t r y s i d e and " n a t i v e soil". O n e d i r e c t s c o n s c i o u s n e s s in s t r a i g h t lines like light, a n d t h e o t h e r in circles like currents of energy. T h o u g h their devotees may not be entirely a w a r e o f t h e fact, b o t h t h e s e i n t e r e s t s e n c o u r a g e t h e u s e a n d application o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s i n c o n c e r t e d e f f o r t s a c c o r d i n g t o i n n e r s p e c i f i c a t i o n s . Additionally, b y i n d u c i n g p e o p l e t o a s s o c i a t e c l o s e l y i n m i n d and body w i t h t h e i r o w n e a r t h l y o u t d o o r e n v i r o n m e n t s t h r o u g h t h o s e p a r t i c u l a r p a t t e r n s t h e y can b e brought into nearer contact with our W e s t e r n inner intelligences u s i n g t h e s e n a t u r a l media a s c h a n n e l s o f c o m m u n i c a t i o n . A l t o g e t h e r i t could b e said t h a t w h a t s e e m like r a t h e r h a r m l e s s and h e a l t h y h o b b i e s a r e a c t u a l l y e s o t e r i c e x e r c i s e s o f a " b r o a d b a n d " type, a i m e d a t c o n d i t i o n i n g m o d e r n c o n s c i o u s n e s s along specific " f o l k - f r e q u e n c i e s " . M a y b e t h e s a m e m i g h t b e said for t h e p r a c t i c e o f " s a u c e r spotting". Not m a n y humans nowadays care to spend contemplative n i g h t - s e s s i o n s o n hill t o p s s e e k i n g spiritual c o n t a c t s . P e r s u a d e t h e m t h e r e could b e a m i l l i o n - t o - o n e c h a n c e o f glimpsing
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s o m e i n t e r - p l a n e t a r y v e h i c l e a n d s o m e will f o r m t h e i r circles and c o n c e r t t h e i r c o n s c i o u s n e s s j u s t a s t h e i r a n c e s t o r s did for s o m e w h a t d i f f e r e n t r e a s o n s . F e w m a y spot a n y t h i n g like a spacecraft, but quite a n u m b e r may benefit from inner influences c o n c e n t r a t e d o n t h e i r little g a t h e r i n g s . A l m o s t any i n t e r e s t w h i c h e n c o u r a g e s people t o f o c u s a t t e n t i o n w h i l e a m o n g q u i e t c o u n t r y c o n d i t i o n s o f t h e i r n a t i v e land c r e a t e s a spiritual s i t u a t i o n s u i t a b l e for contacts with agencies belonging with our Inner Tradition. E v e n b i r d - w a t c h i n g h a s s u c h possibilities. R e l a t e t h e c o m m o n d e n o m i n a t o r s o f c a l m , a t t e n t i v e a w a r e n e s s , and s u i t a b l e s u r r o u n d i n g s , a n d t h e s e will a u t o m a t i c a l l y p r o d u c e a focal f r a m e w o r k for inner communicative contacts. A n o t h e r sign i n o u r t i m e s i s t h e a l m o s t g e n e r a l a c c e p t a n c e o f t e l e p a t h y , o r direct c o n t a c t s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s b e t w e e n b e i n g s through some unknown medium. Y e t another connected concept i s t h e possibility o f t e l e p a t h i c c o m m u n i c a t i o n w i t h people living o n o t h e r p l a n e t s i n d i f f e r e n t s o l a r s y s t e m s . A s s o m e o n e h a s said, t h e "spirit g u i d e s " o f t h e last c e n t u r y h a v e b e c o m e t h e " s p a c e m e n " o f t h i s o n e . L o o k i n g b a c k o v e r o u r s h o u l d e r s , w e can s e e h o w o u r b e l i e f s i n s u p e r n a t u r a l e n t i t i e s , fairies, e t c . , d e s c e n d e d t o t h e spirits o f d e p a r t e d r e l a t i v e s , a n d a r e n o w a i m e d a t a l t e r n a t i v e lifef o r m s e x i s t i n g i n psychically c o n n e c t e d p h y s i c a l g a l a x i e s . W e a l t e r our concepts of "other-life", but continue our fundamental feelings about t h e m according to c o n t e m p o r a r y custom. M o d e r n m i n d s w h i c h f i r m l y r e j e c t all ideas o f a r c h a n g e l s o r divinities w h a t e v e r , will c h e e r f u l l y c o n c e i v e n o t i o n s o f incredibly s u p e r i o r c r e a t u r e s t o m a n k i n d , providing t h e s e a r e a t t a c h e d t o s o m e f o r m o f physical e x p r e s s i o n i n r e m o t e c o r n e r s o f t h e C o s m o s . S c i e n c e fiction w r i t e r s h a v e t a k e n o v e r from t h e old fairy-tale t e l l e r s , and n o d o u b t i n t h e i r t u r n will b e s u p e r s e d e d b y s o m e r e l a t e d s t y l e o f romance. At the back of everything as usual, our Inner Tradition m o v e s o u r s h a r e d s u b c o n s c i o u s n e s s steadily a l o n g t o w a r d s t h e n e x t step ahead. Although our present epoch has not apparently produced any n o t e w o r t h y m o v e m e n t s to compare with Spiritualism, Hermetic i s m , and T h e o s o p h y o f t h e last c e n t u r y , its m i d - c e n t u r y miscalled " o c c u l t e x p l o s i o n " w a s indicative o f a m o s t s i g n i f i c a n t spiritual fact. It m a r k e d a j u m p i n g o f f point for w h a t h a s b e e n called t h e "Alternative society." By contrast to the majority of moneym i n d e d c o n s u m e r class p e o p l e i n o u r a t o m i c a g e , a n appreciable
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n u m b e r o f folk t e n d e d t o d i s e n g a g e t h e m s e l v e s f r o m t h e competitive, compulsive, and computerized world of modernized m a n . D i s s e n t e r s f r o m " p r o s p e r i t y p r e s s u r e s " w e r e q u i t e willing t o live a m i a b l y i n c o n d i t i o n s o f r e l a t i v e p o v e r t y a n d m a t e r i a l d i s a d v a n t a g e , providing t h e i r i n d e p e n d e n c e o f ideology w a s n o t seriously interfered with. For them, inner expansion of experience h a d b e c o m e far m o r e i m p o r t a n t t h a n o u t e r a c q u i s i t i o n o f p o s i t i o n and p r o p e r t y . I n f u r t h e r a n c e o f t h a t a i m , t h e y i n v e s t i g a t e d e v e r y t h i n g available o f a n o c c u l t c h a r a c t e r w h e t h e r c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n o r n o t . T h e t o t a l v a l u e o f all t h a t e f f o r t is m o r e t h a n difficult to e v e n g u e s s at. W e m a y deplore t h e h o r r o r s o f drug a b u s e , d i s e a s e , and all t h e u n h a p p y i s s u e s arising f r o m this painful r e b i r t h o f a n " a l t e r n a t i v e society". It is easy to regret the commercial exploitation of the e v e n t w i t h its j u n k j o u r n a l i s m , h a c k - w r i t t e n r e h a s h e d l i t e r a t u r e , t o y s h o p trash impedimenta, and the rest of the rubbish marketed f o r p r o d i g i o u s profits. W e can criticize c o n d u c t , and say w h a t w e will a b o u t t h e stupidities and futilities a s s o c i a t e d w i t h " s u b culturism" in the sixties, which may be true enough. Amid that m i s e r a b l e muddle w a s g e r m i n a t i n g a s e e d w h i c h c o u l d yet g r o w i n t o a v e r y s u r p r i s i n g n e w b r a n c h of o u r T r a d i t i o n . A forked branch, pointing to devaluation of materialistic standards on one h a n d , and s t e r l i n g a p p r e c i a t i o n o f spiritual s t a n d a r d s o n t h e o t h e r . W h a t will h a p p e n w i t h i n t h e W e s t i f w e s t a r t b r e e d i n g a s t r a n g e new strain among us which resolutely refuses to conform with c o m p u t e r c o n t r o l l e d f r a m e w o r k s o f t h e f u t u r e p l a n n e d for u s b y a n o l i g a r c h i c a l o w n e r s h i p ? S u p p o s e people o f t h i s s o r t w e r e indifferent to politicals of any party, had no interests in making m o n e y b e y o n d basic n e c e s s i t i e s , w e r e n o t i m p r e s s e d b y social s t a t u s , c a r e d n o t h i n g for t e l e v i s i o n , g a m b l i n g , a d v e r t i s i n g , o r m u c h else t h a t m a k e s u p t h e c o m m e r c i a l p s e u d o - s t r u c t u r e o f o u r civilization. W h a t h a p p e n s i f t h e y f i r m l y r e j e c t t h e m o d e r n M a m m o n a r c h e t y p e n o w officially a p p o i n t e d a s o u r sociological s a v i o r , and o f f e r a l l e g i a n c e to n o n e b u t a D i v i n i t y r e a c h e d in t h e i r o w n depths? T h e only prediction to be made regarding such a possibility is t h a t it w o u l d p r o v e h i g h l y u n p o p u l a r w i t h politicians, and a b s o l u t e l y a n a t h e m a t o t h e a u t h o r i t i e s . L e t us e x t r a p o l a t e t h i s a l t e r n a t i v e s o c i e t y a bit f u r t h e r . S u p p o s e it b e c o m e s a lot b e t t e r t h a n c o l l e c t i o n s of d r u g sodden
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d r o p - o u t s a n d e c c e n t r i c s . W h a t if it s h o u l d s l o w l y be built up by evolved a n d c a p a b l e y o u n g people w i t h a n e x t r a o r d i n a r y p o w e r o f resistance to contemporary currents of cut-throat commercialism, pressure-politics, controls by criminal consortia, and o t h e r o v e r w h e l m i n g w r o n g s r u i n i n g o u r w o r l d ? S u p p o s e again t h e s e folk h a v e n e i t h e r i n t e n t i o n s n o r i n t e r e s t s o f p o u r i n g all t h e i r e n e r g i e s i n t o s c h e m e s for g r a b b i n g m o r e m o n e y t h a n o t h e r s a t t h e e x p e n s e o f t h e i r o w n i n n e r i n t e g r i t y ? M a y b e t h e y could b e c o n t e n t w i t h m i n i m u m living n e c e s s i t i e s i n e x c h a n g e for m a x i m u m t i m e a n d o p p o r t u n i t i e s o f helping fellow h u m a n s find similar f r e e d o m s t h e m s e l v e s . W h a t i f t h e i r c h i e f c o n c e r n s a r e far from profit-pursuits, but committed to causes of higher human a i m s like e c o l o g y , e v o l u t i o n , living r e l a t i o n s h i p s w i t h b e y o n d body consciousness. Thinking s o m e w h a t further ahead, what if it occurs to such y o u n g h o p e f u l s t h a t i n s t e a d o f opposing a n y E s t a b l i s h m e n t o p e n l y , i t w o u l d b e m o r e practical t o i n f i l t r a t e and a l t e r t h i n g s f r o m t h e inside. G o i n g f u r t h e r i n still, s u p p o s e s o m e o f t h e m find the secret of becoming born among the "circles of the elect", with s u f f i c i e n t " s e n s e o f m i s s i o n " for a c c o m p l i s h i n g s o m e specific lifeaim in aid of less privileged people. G i v e n e n o u g h e f f o r t a l o n g t h e s e i n n e r lines, i t could m e a n i n t h e long r u n t h a t c o n t r o l o f h u m a n affairs i n t h i s w o r l d would c h a n g e h a n d s c o n s i d e r a b l y for the better. Q u i t e gently and genetically, the reins of g o v e r n m e n t here might be transferred to m o r e t r u s t w o r t h y fingers even b e f o r e bodily b i r t h . N o n e n e e d a n t i c i p a t e a n y s p e c t a c u l a r v i c t o r y of "virtue over vice" or remarkable predominance of pure p h i l a n t h r o p y o n t h e s e levels o f life. N e v e r t h e l e s s , i f t h e Critical b a l a n c e o f i n n e r p o w e r s a f f e c t i n g o u r o u t e r e x i s t e n c e can b e f o c u s e d in t h e r i g h t w a y it will definitely decide t h e d i f f e r e n c e between doom or deliverance in the course of our destiny. Meanwhile, w h a t would happen if the "alternatives" worked o u t a parallel s c h e m e o f e c o n o m y a m o n g t h e m s e l v e s , s o m e t h i n g t h a t e v e n t u a l l y m a d e t h e m m i n i m a l l y s e l f - s u f f i c i e n t f o r g o o d s and s e r v i c e s on a p r o f i t - f r e e plan? T h e r e is n o t h i n g i m p o s s i b l e a b o u t t h i s w h a t e v e r . T h e A m i s h c o m m u n i t y i n A m e r i c a h a s b e e n doing it s u c c e s s f u l l y for s e v e r a l g e n e r a t i o n s . In w i d e r t e r m s , it w o u l d m e a n a s o r t o f " s o c i e t y w i t h i n s o c i e t y " s o t o speak. O n e s e c t i o n m o t i v a t e d by m a t e r i a l i s m a l o n e , and t h e o t h e r b a s e d on a faith-
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formula. Average humanity might then m e a s u r e itself against e i t h e r e x a m p l e and decide w h i c h w a y t o g o , o r t r y c o m p r o m i s i n g with both. W e h a v e s e e n t o o o f t e n t h e sad failures o f h u m a n c o m m u n i ties c o m p r i s e d from e v e r y class and c r e e d o n e a r t h . O u r w h o l e w o r l d is o n e such c o m m u n a l d i s a s t e r , y e t by no m e a n s a c o m p l e t e d i s a s t e r . It is still s u r v i v a b l e and t r a n s m u t a b l e if its T r a d i t i o n s s t a y t r u e t o t h e m s e l v e s and s u p p o r t e a c h o t h e r f o r t h e m u t u a l b e n e f i t of all m a n k i n d . W i t h i n a single lifespan, we h a v e w i t n e s s e d n o t o n l y an a t o m i c e x p l o s i o n b u t an ideological o n e as well. People can blow apart like p l u t o n i u m , t o o . N o w w e h a v e t o put t h e pieces t o g e t h e r again and m a k e a b e t t e r p i c t u r e — i f w e c a n . E v e r y a r t i s t i n v o l v e d h a s s o m e kind o f idea for i m p r o v e m e n t s , a n d o u r magical a r t i s t s a r e b o u n d t o a d v a n c e t h e i r v e r s i o n s , t h e s e c a n n o t possibly be w o r s e t h a n m a n y past s i g h t s in this world, and could at least inspire u s w i t h a vision o f h o w t o o v e r c o m e p r e s e n t o b s t a c l e s o b s c u r i n g a far finer f u t u r e . Finding s o m e s u i t a b l e n i c h e t o live i n magically a m o n g modern society is mostly a m a t t e r of values. "Alternatives" might n o t o f f e r m a n y m a t e r i a l a d v a n t a g e s , but t h e y could supply a w e a l t h o f h u m a n r e l a t i o n s h i p a n d c u l t u r a l c o m p a n y n o t easily found o t h e r w i s e . P e r h a p s t h e i r g r e a t e s t gift w o u l d be a deep love and c o n c e r n for fellow c r e a t u r e s o f e v e r y kind. T r u l y t h e y could b e called " n a t i v e s " w h o w o u l d " a l t e r " h u m a n n a t u r e for t h e b e t t e r . C e r t a i n l y n o t i n a n y " d o g o o d i n g " s e n s e , o r b y inflicting t h e least o f t h e i r ideas o n a n y o n e . T h e y w o u l d m e r e l y b e e n c o u r a g i n g o t h e r e n t i t i e s t o b e c o m e w h a t i s willed w i t h i n t h e m b y t h e C r e a t i v e S p i r i t behind t h e i r c o n s c o u s n e s s . M a y b e o u r "Alternatives" should be considered the r e s u r g e n c e of an almost extinct breed—compassionately understanding human beings, v e r y willing t o w o r k o n e a r t h b e c a u s e t h e y k n o w a s e n s e o f k i n d r e d w i t h D i v i n e and c l o s e r c o n n e c t e d Life m e a n s v e r y m u c h m o r e t h a n a n y w e a l t h o f t h i s world. If d e v e l o p m e n t s in t h i s d i r e c t i o n a p p e a r in t h e W e s t , taking i n t o a c c o u n t t h e initial i m p a c t o f occult i n f l u e n c e s d u r i n g t h e past m i d - c e n t u r y period, we could indeed be c o m i n g to a t u r n i n g point in o u r T r a d i t i o n . In reality, it w o u l d be t h e first a n d oldest f u n d a m e n t a l of t h e T r a d i t i o n c o m i n g full circle on a h i g h e r level. Originally, W e s t e r n individuants moved away from compulsive collectivity i n t o a l t e r n a t i v e a r e a s . N o w w e can n o l o n g e r d o this
152 / A N O U T L O O K O N O U R I N N E R W E S T E R N W A Y
physically, w e shall h a v e t o c r e a t e a n i n d e p e n d e n t s t a t e o f s o c i e t y f o r s e r v i n g o u r n e e d s u n t i l h u m a n i t y as a w h o l e r e a c h e s a m o r e s a t i s f a c t o r y spiritual c o n d i t i o n o f civilization t h a n e v i d e n c e d d u r i n g o u r epoch. S o , though this century may not have produced anything very spectacular in the nature of new religions, Societies, Occult O r d e r s , and M o v e m e n t s , it may certainly have c o m m e n c e d s o m e t h i n g m o r e spiritually i m p o r t a n t t o t h e W e s t t h a n all t h e s e — a n a w a k e n e d d e t e r m i n a t i o n t o look f o r links b e t w e e n D i v i n i t y and H u m a n i t y w i t h i n Ourselves. A s D i o n F o r t u n e o n c e t e r m e d it: " T h e Yoga of the West." Yog meaning yoke, in the sense of c o n j o i n i n g c o m p l e m e n t s by a c e n t r a l principle of poise. O u r T r a d i t i o n a l w a y o f a c c o m p l i s h i n g t h i s w a s and i s t o s e t up synthetic symbolic conditions wherein some semblance of an ideal life m a y b e m o m e n t a r i l y a c h i e v e d . B y periodic u s e o f this facility, w e p r o j e c t c o n s c i o u s n e s s e v e r c l o s e r t o t h a t a s a c o n s t a n t s t a t e . I n old t i m e s initiates w e n t o f f b y t h e m s e l v e s i n t o f o r e s t s o r d e s e r t s until t h e y " a t t a i n e d " a n a l t e r e d a w a r e n e s s w i t h i n t h e m s e l v e s . A s civilization e x p a n d e d o u t w a r d t h e y built L o d g e s and T e m p l e s w h e r e i n t h e y m i g h t fulfil t h e spiritual side o f t h e m s e l v e s i n s a f e t y for limited p e r i o d s , t h e e m e r g e t o s h a r e s o c i o - e c o n o m i c living w i t h o t h e r s o n w h o m s o m e o f t h e i r spiritual i n f l u e n c e m i g h t " r u b off". C h r i s t i a n c h u r c h - g o i n g w a s m e a n t t o be a c o m m o n form of this practice. T h i s stems from the deep human need for intimacy with one's o w n i d e n t i t y i n o r d e r t o c o n t a c t m u c h h i g h e r levels o f c o n s c i o u s ness. It amounts to symbolizing a Nil-nucleus out of which e n e r g y i s e x p e c t e d t o e m e r g e f o r specific e n d s . T h i s a c c o u n t s for t h e c a r e w i t h w h i c h truly M a g i c a l T e m p l e s a r e c o n s t r u c t e d and c o n c e a l e d . T h i s applies t o o t h e r t y p e s o f p r i v a t e s p a c e s a s well. E v e r y field employs t h e m one way or another. T h e artist's studio is an example. T h e physicist's laboratory is another. So is an author's "den", or a p r i e s t ' s s t u d y , or a m o n k ' s cell. All a r e p h y s i c a l focal p o i n t s dedicated t o c o m m u n i o n w i t h specialized t y p e s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s . All h a v e t h e c o m m o n f a c t o r s o f s e c l u s i o n and s e c u r i t y , o r a s e m b l a n c e t h e r e o f . T h e y could b e b r o a d l y c o m p a r e d w i t h womb-conditions of gestation. T o d a y , t h i s i s s u e is b e c o m i n g a v e r y s e r i o u s p r o b l e m on t h e W e s t e r n P a t h . T h e l a y o u t o f m o d e r n living i s m a k i n g i t m o r e and m o r e difficult t o a c h i e v e t h o s e e s s e n t i a l o c c a s i o n s o f c o n t e m p l a -
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tive i n n e r c o n t a c t s . N o i s e , social p r e s s u r e s , e m p l o y m e n t e n v i r o n m e n t s , and all o u r civil c i r c u m s t a n c e s c o m e i n t o t h e p i c t u r e . S o m e h o w , there has to be an answer enabling our aspirant e s o t e r i c i s t s t o f o c u s u p t h e i r c o n t a c t s r i g h t o n t h e f a c t o r y floor, a s i t w e r e . A s yet, n o - o n e s e e m s t o h a v e p r o d u c e d a n e n t i r e l y s a t i s f a c t o r y s o l u t i o n , m a i n l y b e c a u s e o u r c o n s c i o u s n e s s i s still adapting t o swiftly a l t e r i n g s i t u a t i o n s and s t r u c t u r e s . M o r e o v e r , t h e p r o b l e m is likely to go on for a f e w g e n e r a t i o n s y e t . N e v e r t h e l e s s i t h a s t o b e tackled, and r e a s o n a b l e p r o c e d u r e s evolved w h i c h a n y o n e o f a v e r a g e abilities can u n d e r s t a n d and apply u n d e r m o s t c o n d i t i o n s o f m o d e r n life. T h i s p a r t i c u l a r p r o b l e m is a c t u a l l y a fairly u r g e n t o n e , s i n c e it a f f e c t s a l a r g e p r o p o r t i o n o f p e o p l e w h o could m a k e v e r y useful c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o o u r T r a d i t i o n i f e n c o u r a g e d and e n a b l e d b y t h e right e x a m p l e s and p r e c e p t s . T h e r e f o r e all a d v a n c e d i n i t i a t e s o f t h e W e s t e r n W a y and t h e i r i n n e r c o n t a c t s w o u l d d o w e l l t o put this piece o f w o r k into t h e "immediate" category of their programs. In t i m e s to c o m e , m a y b e n o t so v e r y d i s t a n t l y , t h e r e will be a much awakened awareness in the West about the importance of t h i s p a r t i c u l a r point. N o i s e will b e a b a t e d t o m i n i m u m , and m e d i t a t i v e facilities m a d e m u c h m o r e widely available. P e r h a p s t h e day could c o m e w h e n q u i t e o r d i n a r y people w o u l d n o m o r e p u r c h a s e a n e w p r o p e r t y w i t h o u t a special " c o n t e m p l a t i o n c h a m b e r " than they would buy houses n o w without b a t h r o o m s and l a v a t o r i e s . I t could b e c o m e n o r m a l p r a c t i c e for w o r k e r s t o b e a l l o w e d s t a n d a r d periods e v e r y s o o f t e n f o r m e d i t a t i v e e x e r c i s e s . W e m i g h t e v e n s e e " z o n i n g " o f p o p u l a t i o n i n t o q u i e t and n o i s y a r e a s , s o t h a t t h o s e w h o w a n t r a c k e t and r e s t l e s s n e s s c a n h a v e i t t o h e a r t ' s c o n t e n t providing t h e y d o n o t i n v a d e t h e places o f p e a c e . W e all h a v e o u r ideas f o r f u t u r e i m p r o v e m e n t s , but w h a t i s n e e d e d m o s t a r e p r e s e n t p r a c t i c a l i t i e s . A n s w e r s t o q u e s t i o n s like: " H o w am I to s t u d y and p r a c t i c e W e s t e r n o c c u l t i s m w h i l e I h a v e to e a r n my living as a m a c h i n e o p e r a t o r all day and s h a r e a small flat w i t h m y family a t n i g h t ? " I n this c e n t u r y , t h e t h r e e m a i n W e s t e r n s t r e a m s o f " P o e t , P e a s a n t , and P e o p l e " are c o a l e s c i n g . I n t o w h a t ? D a r e w e h o p e i n t o " P e r c e p t i v e s , " s o u l s w i t h a n a w a k e n e d spiritual a w a r e n e s s o f t h e i r own meaning among mankind? T h o s e w h o sense beyond doubt t h e t r u t h s b e h i n d o u r T r a d i t i o n , and will dedicate t h e i r i n c a r n a tions t o s e e k i n g and upholding t h e s e f u n d a m e n t a l s o f a c o m m o n
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INNER WESTERN WAY
Life-faith? Souls with a stature capable of rising above differences of opinion, dogma, and every lesser division among human approaches to Divinity while working with conditions of consciousness conjoining them all as efforts in evolution. Ours is a broad Tradition with room for many specialized sections providing each is linked in its own fashion with our familial Lightway. For we are indeed a family on Inner levels of Life, related by a bond of blood which is none the less binding because it cannot be physically traced. We may symbolize this blood magically in the Mass, or see it metaphorically with our martyrs and massacred fellow men. However we represent it, our inner "belonging with the Blood" amounts to the "Grail Vision" where participants realized with full force their actual spiritual standing in the Presence of Perfection. Nothing bound them into closer company than that experience. Every ex-Service person knows the instant sense of companionship springing up when two people previously unknown to each other discover they have shared some common episode of previous pressure. It may be anything from a barracks to a battle, but it always has to be whatever caused deep emotive reactions which have somehow altered the life-patterns of those reminiscing about them. Similar senses of solidarity can come from any set of circumstances. A school, workplace, wherever mutual endurance is involved. That is something like the feeling which should link the Western Traditionalists together in this world, except that we need not necessarily be physically aware of each other's proximity. What really matters is that we become conscious of our existence together as evolving individuals sharing the same Lifestream along a common Cosmic course. Our unity is not a matter of terrestrial geography but of sheer spiritual genetics and inherency. Whoever "belongs with the Blood" must learn how to recognize and respect it in others, however distant the relationship may be. O u r survival as a species depends on that. In the end, there is only one way of belonging with our Western Inner Tradition: live it constantly during embodiment and disembodiment. There is nothing to join like a cult or a club. T h e entrance is only to be found by individual souls within themselves, leading to a common consciousness illuminated by the same Light. To connect this with our objective living as human beings, we need only set up an appropriate symbolic framework
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and let t h e related i n n e r f o r c e s focus t h r o u g h this a c c o r d i n g l y . O t h e r w i s e t h e y will r e m a i n u n o b t r u s i v e l y a t t h e b a c k o f o u r b e i n g s , w o r k i n g faithfully a w a y a s usual a t t h e s l o w and t h a n k l e s s t a s k o f o u r spiritual s u p e r v i s i o n . N o n e n e e d d o u b t f o r a single i n s t a n t t h a t t h e r e is an I n n e r W a y o f t h e W e s t , t h o u g h i t can b e v e r y difficult t o r e c o g n i z e and h a r d e r y e t to follow. It is n o t for e v e r y o n e — w h y should it be? T h e r e a r e I n n e r W a y s t o suit e v e r y s o r t o f soul i n e x i s t e n c e , and this h a p p e n s to be o u r s in particular. It m a t c h e s o u r inner m a k e up and c o r r e s p o n d s w i t h the c o u r s e s of consciousness we h a v e been keeping t h r o u g h t h e c e n t u r i e s from b i r t h to rebirth O t h e r s a r e entitled to criticize or c o m m e n t on it as t h e y like. We t h a t a r e o f t h e W a y o u r s e l v e s a r e o n l y obliged t o t r y a n d l e a v e e v e r y lifetime i n a b e t t e r condition t h a n w e c a m e t o it. B y t h e time w e a r e r e b o r n within it, w e should bring f u r t h e r c o n t r i b u t i o n s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s t o unfold along o u r lines o f living. S o t h e c y c l e s o u g h t to c o n t i n u e , as t h e T r a d i t i o n builds bit by bit t o w a r d s its ultimate Truth. It is easy to follow t h e t r a c k of a T r a d i t i o n by its o u t s t a n d i n g e v e n t s . I t i s equally e a s y t o m i s s t h e f u n d a m e n t a l i m p o r t a n c e o f its a l m o s t u n n o t i c a b l e details d i s t r i b u t e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e w h o l e . P e o p l e point t o t h e peaks o f m o u n t a i n s , b u t h o w o f t e n d o t h e y t h i n k o f t h e single g r a i n s o f m a t t e r c o n s t i t u t i n g t h e e n t i r e h e a p ? So with o u r W e s t e r n T r a d i t i o n . It is a c o n s c i o u s c o m p e n d i u m of countless little lives each adding something of itself to the total we have arrived at now. Those are the tiny pieces that make it great. T h e particular pieces a t t r a c t i n g a t t e n t i o n m e r e l y m a r k b u t its m a s s . I f a n y m e m b e r o f t h e T r a d i t i o n w e r e asked: " W h a t h a v e you g i v e n ? " n o n e could a n s w e r m o r e t h a n : " M y s e l f " o r less t h a n "Loyalty", for t h a t is t h e top and b o t t o m of e v e r y t h i n g to do w i t h it. S u r e l y this i s w o r t h m u c h — t o feel and k n o w f o r c e r t a i n i n o n e s e l f t h a t t h e r e really is a b e t t e r kind of life to be r e a c h e d and realized e v e n t u a l l y , A s t a t e of b e i n g far b e y o n d t h e sick and s o r r y condition of this m a n - m i s m a n a g e d w o r l d . A T r a d i t i o n to belong w i t h so deeply and definitely as to say w i t h c o m p l e t e s i n c e r i t y : "These are my people. They want me as I want them for what we are to one another. We are linked together by love and trust that none of us would willingly break. Though all of us are individuals, we live in and through each other. As
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my bodies die they will make more for me to reincarnate in if I have to. In or out of incarnation, 1 mean to follow this Way with my spiritual kinsfolk. Along my Path I expect every kind of human experience; joy, sorrow, pain, pleasure, all that ever happens to humans. Right through the middle of everything runs our Line of Light leading to ultimate Perfection and Peace. That is the inmost Truth of our Tradition, and if I can stay with it I shall become the Self 1 ought to be as an immortal entity of Living Energy. At last 1 have found the home where my heart is happy in the real meaning of the word. Here is where I belong by birthright, ancestry, nature, intention, and all that ever will be mine. In every life, THIS IS MY BODY I AM BOUND TO BY MY BLOOD. My Grail is gained. I and mine own are One forever." Whoever senses in themselves something of this sort has connected up consciously with their own Inner Tradition. All it needs is gentle awakening, like the Sleeping Princess, with a kiss of love as realisation begins to dawn that the Traditional Way of the West went away from this earth altogether. It went into the radiant glories of the sunset skies where lay the Land of the Blessed. None spoke of the beauties and wonders awaiting arrivals there, because those were more than mortals could comprehend. All anyone knew for certain was that if only we kept faithfully and patiently following our West-pointing Path, we should become part of such Perfection in the end. S O M A Y WE ALL AMEN.