From: StarChild Area: Thelema To: Julia Phillips 23 Oct 94 19:06:30 Subject: Questions? UpdReq JP> Hello StarChild! S> Anyone have a root land/language/interpretation for the S> (apparent) Names "Azarak" and/or "Zomelak?" JP> Zomelak is actually a suburb in Cairo, but I never found Azarak there . Hmm... Do you know if it was a city in in its own rights, and/or whether there were any foundation spiritual schools there? Its the 4th time I've heard of a Neteru origin for some of the Celtic/Gardnerian work... JP> Michael Harrison in "The Roots of Witchcraft" gives it JP> a Basque origin, but I've always thought his reasoning JP> more than a little suspect. As do I, especially after discussing the matter with a magickal associate here in Texas, and having discovered a possible Babylonian influence to both names. Ever heard of Azareth (also possibly Azureth) and/or Zonaik? More on this as I hear more. However, it begins to be possible that the work we're re-editing may 1.) possibly be tainted; 2.) have possible Mythraic, Hermetic, and/or even Kabbalistic influences. The latter, however, is not to be confused with the taint, as it also appears in Woodland Celtic, Alexandrian, and several other Celtic family traditions. Gee: isn't research fun? Blessed Be! Ed 201434369420143436942014343694201434369420143436942014343694718 From: Andrew Haigh Area: Thelema To: Zeekram 23 Oct 94 10:14:10 Subject: Re: Fire! UpdReq Z> Ok,I see all of your games... And I do have to admit, Z> they are amusing... But I am doing this for personal Z> goal... And besides, If I am to be a wizard, I am gonna Z> need to know how to work with the elements.... Z> Zeekram You also need to realize that there are mundane things that will accomplish the same task faster and easier than trying to will fire into existance. Sure it is possible to attain a certain proficiency in pyrokinesis, but is it truly worth the trouble to go to such lengths in order to be able to perform a parlour trick? Try lighting the fire at the base of your spine and slowly bring it up your spine through each energy center in turn. This will serve you better in the long run than being able to light a fire with your mind. @:|---- 201434369420143436942014343694201434369420143436942014343694718 From: Andrew Haigh Area: Thelema To: To Meta Thereon 23 Oct 94 10:18:24 Subject: Thelema & Its Studies UpdReq TMT> If you want to understand Thelema, pick up Crowley's TMT> _The Law is for All_. Many sources feel this book is more useless than useful. YMMV TMT> If you want to jump into the rituals, pick up Lon TMT> Milo Duquette's _The Magick of Thelema_. This book as well plays to mixed revues TMT> It all depends on what path you are wanting to start TMT> on. My first book was MTP also. I don't recommend TMT> that to anyone as a beginning point, On this I agree, MTP is not a good book to start with, there are some deliberate traps and double blinds that AC threw in to trap the unwary and the dilletanttes. On needs to be of a certain level to be able to work through the traps without any problems. As for begginning material, Regardie's work is good, Hyatt's is excellent although formatted a bit oddly. Timothy Leary is another excellent source as is John C. Lilly. R.A.Wilson is high on the list, and just about any SF authour dealing in higher dimensionality and Psi powers (Julian May is beyond excellent for the Psi) @:|---- 201434369420143436942014343694201434369420143436942014343694718 From: To Meta Therion Area: Thelema To: Grendel Grettisson 24 Oct 94 15:24:38 Subject: CHAOS MAGICK? UpdReq Grendal, How is the book? Did you have to order it through a company or can you get it through local book stores? I'm interested in your opinions on it since I can't find a copy myself 201434369420143436942014343694201434369420143436942014343694718 From: Kevin Bold Area: Thelema To: Michelle Hass 23 Oct 94 07:46:50 Subject: organization, hazards & UpdReq 93! KB> since the overwhelming majority of Baphomet Lodge members have their KB> heads screwed on, such people never hung around for long (if you're not a KB> member, Michelle, check them out!). MH> I knew quite a few Baphomet Lodge members, and have remained friends MH> with one who is a very special sister of mine. But I never wanted MH> to belong. I just wasn't interested in the OTO way of interpreting MH> Thelema. Would you care to elaborate on that? As far as I can tell, the only problems the OTO has had with other professing Thelemites have centered around our legal right to call ourselves _the_ OTO (which doesn't stand for "Only Thelemic Order" either!). As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter if you do all the Reshes at the right times, or have memorized Liber AL, or know Crowley's works like the back of your hand; if you don't respect other people's True Wills as much as your own, or if you equate every whim you have with your Will, or if you whine "But it was my Will!" whenever you have to face the consequences of a blatantly stupid action, you're still missing the point of what Thelema is all about. MH> But true, there were and are good folk in that group. And still are, which is why I try to keep in touch with as many as possible. Perhaps someday you'll join; I hung out with them for over a year before taking Minerval and First. 93--93/93... 201434369420143436942014343694201434369420143436942014343694718 From: Grendel Grettisson Area: Thelema To: To Meta Thereon 24 Oct 94 00:44:00 Subject: Covens UpdReq * Replying to a message originally to Andrew Haigh on 10-23-94 TM> I do not understand your disrespect for humankind. If you TM> haven't the common courtousy to respect others opinions, then TM> how is it that you can even consider yourself a magickian. I don't know but you seem to try to do it that way. Grow up and get a clue. Wassail, Grendel Grettisson 201434369420143436942014343694201434369420143436942014343694718 From: Michelle Hass Area: Thelema To: Silveroak 23 Oct 94 14:29:04 Subject: Thelema & Its Studies UpdReq On 10-21-94 Silveroak wrote to All... S > * Do what Thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law * 93, bro! S > Hi everyone, well, I have been thinking about becoming a Thelemite. S > As someone new to this what should I be studying first? S > I have S > read through (not all "YET") Aleister Crowley's MAGICK In Theory and Practice S > and Isreal Regardie's "The Original Accounts of the Teachings, Rites S > and Ceremonies of the hermetic Order of THE GOLDEN DAWN. But as it seems now S > it looks like I will not be able to handle it alone. No, that is not necessarily the case. Anything that can be done with a group of people can be done solitary. I wish that you hadn't started out with "Theory and Practice" because (and I have been recommending this for years) the best book to get a handle on Crowley and the philosophy of Thelema is "Magick Without Tears." It is a book consisting of correspondence between Crowley and a student, and the correspondence was originally written in the last few years of his life and compiled posthumously by Karl Germer. The student was a beginner, and the information he imparts to her is in a way that is easy for anyone to understand. It is far less obscure than "Theory and Practice." As far as learning nuts-and-bolts ceremonial magick, also get your hands on "Modern Magick" by Donald Michael Kraig (Llewelyn). In it is a great course on magick written in a clear and easy to understand way by one of the best modern-day Thelemic/pagan thinkers. These two books, and also Liber 777 to give you a dictionary of correspondences, and Liber AL Vel Legis (The Book of the Law) are as good a course as any you would get from a school, correspondence or otherwise. And remember, too, that you have access to a whole circle of Thelemic brothers and sisters out here in Cyberspace, on this very echo. We all have different "styles" and differing opinions, but the most important thing that you need to know is to remember Bruce Lee's law: absorb what is useful, discard what is not. And to do that, you need an open, probing and questioning mind. Do not take anything anyone says without considering and questioning it thoroughly. Critical thinking is very important in magick. So is keeping one's mental and physical act together. I suggest, even if you think you are the most adjusted person in the world, for you to find a good therapist or counselor that you can see, so that whatever mental baggage/hangups you might be carrying around don't leap up and surprise you in the middle of ritual work. And they do. Israel Regardie insisted of his magick students that they have at least a year of therapy under their belt before they'd even be shown the LBRP and the Middle Pillar. And keep healthy, too. Pay attention to your physical wellbeing. Cut down on junk foods and take a multi- vitamin and an anti-oxidant supplement. Get used to whole grains and much fruits and vegetables. Listen to your body. Exercise. Meditate. You can do all of these by yourself, without the aid of a school or correspondence course. And again, may I remind you you're not alone. We're all here to help and support you. S > Ottawa, Ontario Canada S > Denis Levesque Well, well, well...you're from the same city that brought the world John Kricfalusi! Too cool. Bienvenue, mon frere Denis! --.\\<-H-- ... OFFLINE 1.35 * There is joy in the journey... 201434369420143436942014343694201434369420143436942014343694718 From: Michelle Hass Area: Thelema To: Grendel Grettisson 23 Oct 94 14:33:06 Subject: The Sacred Grove UpdReq On 10-23-94 Grendel Grettisson wrote to All... GG> The Sacred Grove will be going off-line as of November 1. Sorry to hear that...always a loss when a member of the PODS family leaves us. GG> Wassail, GG> Grendel Grettisson GG> mimir@io.com And SKOL to you, brother. 93, ___.\\<-H-- ... OFFLINE 1.35 * Stars shine even when it's cloudy. 201434369420143436942014343694201434369420143436942014343694718 From: Michelle Hass Area: Thelema To: To Meta Thereon 24 Oct 94 09:45:00 Subject: a place to start UpdReq On 10-23-94 To Meta Thereon wrote to Michelle Hass... MH> For one thing, most of Crowley's works are in electronic form on most MH> PODS BBSes. Get a good look at The Book of the Law, for one thing. TM> Really? Which ones? I would be interested in perusing TM> some of his rare commentaries. I know for sure that all the Class A documents are in electronic form in one file or another. There even is a series of GIFs out of the original manuscript pages of Liber AL. The Vision and the Voice is in electronic form, as is John St. John. There's a whole file full of records of Crowley's major workings. And there's even a Spanish translation of Liber AL floating around. You just have to poke around. BTW why do you call yourself To Meta Therion? Do you believe you have transcended the work of To Mega Therion? (Meta = Beyond, Greek.) --.\\<-H-- ... OFFLINE 1.35 * There is joy in the journey... 201434369420143436942014343694201434369420143436942014343694718