Squaring up on Circles
As usual the astute amongst you will recognise A Way in front of you - this being distinct from what some may call The Way ...
It was always taught that the cuircle was fine for focussing and protection but not much good when it came to actual magic for results. It was to this end that words to the effect of:
"Four limbs in four places
Four Kings and four Queens
Four ways for four spaces
And one eye only for all of the scenes"
Compare this idea with the now familiar picture of a "buck nekkid" Alex Sanders lying face down on the pentagram. The four limbs are in a very real sense the four pillars of the corners of the universe. The head therefore is the next point - the point of observation and (more importantly to our mind) control.
This was the basic manifestation of the understanding that the operative (when working) was not the "centre of the universe" but rather, the universe in it's entirety. As such, the witch was becoming more and engulfing by extension, the whole of creation with every working. We know this as the simple six card spread in the shape of the pentegram - which shows us the person. There is the head, two cards for the hands and two for the feet and lastly, the centre card for their heart. The words for each summarise far better than I ever could the meaning of each.
Apart from being a reminder of the polarities in the universe, it also speaks to us of the fact that tjhis is the flesh realm - first of the four. It is not just Laft and Right that we klive in but also up and down - and this contines in all directions. It also admonishes that these are not the same - that each is different with it's own soveriegnity that links us "kin tied" as it were; to all things everywhere. From the highest of the spaces to even the lowliest of us ; the ties bind fast and effective.
This affirms simply the unity line that exists between all percieved "opposites" or "piolarity absolutes". It whispers to us that ALL (irrelevant of our personal likes and dislikes) are necessary for the truning of the great wheel and that each has it's own different harony to sing in the great song. These may all be learned by anyone who takes the time to listen properly.
This is a culmination statement that reminds us that we are everything and that it (in turn) is us. This is the echo phrase of the Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismagistus - the Wyrd of the One. This is the Mystery of Power and it reminds us that it is WE who observe the universe in motion; it is, therefore, ALSO we that hold all of the answers to the divine riddles that it's swirls pose. That these answers are there for all to see if they only care to look. (It is to be noted here that it was also considered a central belief that : "a witch without their eyes is worse than dead" - meaning that skills such as "the sight" (Old Form) were considered essential.)
Even from this simple example it becomes obvious that one of the main differences between "Us and Them" (as it was always put) was the central belief that "magic is entirely natural" and really in no way more miraculous or "supernatural" that say, urination! (Which, in certain circumstances was considered as a highly useful, symbolic and practical centre piece to some rituals).
If magic was natural ("More natural than the 'SHIT' that "modern man" has made his life" - as my Elder was wont to say!) it therefore followed that we were a "magical people" who led "magical lives". At this point I will address the fact that many Traditions have, with the rise of the 'New Age' have claimed how "natural" magic is - while preserving "special times" and "holidays" etc. and generally treating it like it is a "holy relic" of some sort. We see it as smth that happens and should be lived, constantly … from the moment one wakes to the moment they sleep - and beyond.
"And now you see as your forebears have seen before you. As ordinary men cannot. Can you not SEE the magic? It's life, it's death and all that lies in between? No child, the world has not changed - just you. You can now see clearly and as such, see things that you have never seen before … never forget : "The Open Eye is better - no matter WHAT it sees."
To me, every day is a discovery; fraught with perils and surprises. To my people, "next Tuesday" is no less "magical" than any of the so-called "Holy/Sacred Days/Nights". When life is approached this way, the morning cup of Tea or Coffee is every bit as much a "magical ritual" as any complex spell. Indeed I know of one particular witch that did some of her best works while chanting absentmindedly under her breath while making coffee each morning! Some would say that this is (in some way) denigrative to the significance of the "rites" (& etc.) - we prefer to believe that (obversely) it raises the mundane life to the sanctity of the "gods".
Given these views is it any wonder that my people tend to take a very different approach to ritual. Many of these seem insanely simple by comparison with most modern approaches. This should not be taken to mean that the content is small etc or that we are incapable of lengthy complex rites - because neither of these veiws are correct.
Each of us is required to show proficiency and understanding in and of all forms of ritual ; from the highly complex Solomonic styles to the comparitively simple celebrations of the modern Neo - Pagan. It is by experiencing all of these in turn that we learn how each thinks, feels and acts. It is this in turn that explains their mysteries and symbolism to us.
By the end of their training, the student is required to show further ability by putting together a system of work of their own using fictional characters as "God/desses" etc. This is the final "student test" for our kind - the running of a group while "carrying the spirit" to the point where even fiction becomes reality.
The fully fledged operative of our people therefore has a wealth of information and centuries of different understandings of diverse times and places to draw on. It is in this way that our people may choose between a Solomonic working that may take anywhere up to a year to perform fully to a simple ritual of guestures on a hilltop at dawn.
Both of these are equally valid forms and each has a wealth of information contained within it for the attentive student who applies themselves to the nuances. For example - look back at the amount of information contained in that simple "Four Limbs" chant alone and bear in mind that it does not take into account things such as: time, place, inflection, guesture & etc.
It was always taught that the cuircle was fine for focussing and protection but not much good when it came to actual magic for results. It was to this end that words to the effect of:
"Four limbs in four places
Four Kings and four Queens
Four ways for four spaces
And one eye only for all of the scenes"
Were told to me to explain the mystery of the difference between our ways and the ways of "others".
Simple chants like this are a "far cry" from the sort of thing that is generally "warbled" in circles these days. It speaks to us of a time before all this when the witch became the centre of ALL.
Simple chants like this are a "far cry" from the sort of thing that is generally "warbled" in circles these days. It speaks to us of a time before all this when the witch became the centre of ALL.
FOUR LIMBS IN FOUR PLACES
Compare this idea with the now familiar picture of a "buck nekkid" Alex Sanders lying face down on the pentagram. The four limbs are in a very real sense the four pillars of the corners of the universe. The head therefore is the next point - the point of observation and (more importantly to our mind) control.
This was the basic manifestation of the understanding that the operative (when working) was not the "centre of the universe" but rather, the universe in it's entirety. As such, the witch was becoming more and engulfing by extension, the whole of creation with every working. We know this as the simple six card spread in the shape of the pentegram - which shows us the person. There is the head, two cards for the hands and two for the feet and lastly, the centre card for their heart. The words for each summarise far better than I ever could the meaning of each.
"Here is the (Wo)Man …… I see his/er mind and their thoughts are known to me…….
Here is the Left Hand …. I see now what they take with them for their journey ……
Here is the Right Hand …. I see now what they make for their future ….
Here is their Left Foot … This was their present journey's home ……
Here is their Right Foot …. This is their present journey's goal …..
And here is their heart - as I hold it in my hand I feel and see as they do."
Here is the Left Hand …. I see now what they take with them for their journey ……
Here is the Right Hand …. I see now what they make for their future ….
Here is their Left Foot … This was their present journey's home ……
Here is their Right Foot …. This is their present journey's goal …..
And here is their heart - as I hold it in my hand I feel and see as they do."
FOUR KINGS AND QUEENS
Apart from being a reminder of the polarities in the universe, it also speaks to us of the fact that tjhis is the flesh realm - first of the four. It is not just Laft and Right that we klive in but also up and down - and this contines in all directions. It also admonishes that these are not the same - that each is different with it's own soveriegnity that links us "kin tied" as it were; to all things everywhere. From the highest of the spaces to even the lowliest of us ; the ties bind fast and effective.
FOUR WAYS FOR FOUR SPACES
This affirms simply the unity line that exists between all percieved "opposites" or "piolarity absolutes". It whispers to us that ALL (irrelevant of our personal likes and dislikes) are necessary for the truning of the great wheel and that each has it's own different harony to sing in the great song. These may all be learned by anyone who takes the time to listen properly.
AND ONE EYE ONLY FOR ALL OF THE SCENES
This is a culmination statement that reminds us that we are everything and that it (in turn) is us. This is the echo phrase of the Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismagistus - the Wyrd of the One. This is the Mystery of Power and it reminds us that it is WE who observe the universe in motion; it is, therefore, ALSO we that hold all of the answers to the divine riddles that it's swirls pose. That these answers are there for all to see if they only care to look. (It is to be noted here that it was also considered a central belief that : "a witch without their eyes is worse than dead" - meaning that skills such as "the sight" (Old Form) were considered essential.)
Even from this simple example it becomes obvious that one of the main differences between "Us and Them" (as it was always put) was the central belief that "magic is entirely natural" and really in no way more miraculous or "supernatural" that say, urination! (Which, in certain circumstances was considered as a highly useful, symbolic and practical centre piece to some rituals).
If magic was natural ("More natural than the 'SHIT' that "modern man" has made his life" - as my Elder was wont to say!) it therefore followed that we were a "magical people" who led "magical lives". At this point I will address the fact that many Traditions have, with the rise of the 'New Age' have claimed how "natural" magic is - while preserving "special times" and "holidays" etc. and generally treating it like it is a "holy relic" of some sort. We see it as smth that happens and should be lived, constantly … from the moment one wakes to the moment they sleep - and beyond.
"And now you see as your forebears have seen before you. As ordinary men cannot. Can you not SEE the magic? It's life, it's death and all that lies in between? No child, the world has not changed - just you. You can now see clearly and as such, see things that you have never seen before … never forget : "The Open Eye is better - no matter WHAT it sees."
To me, every day is a discovery; fraught with perils and surprises. To my people, "next Tuesday" is no less "magical" than any of the so-called "Holy/Sacred Days/Nights". When life is approached this way, the morning cup of Tea or Coffee is every bit as much a "magical ritual" as any complex spell. Indeed I know of one particular witch that did some of her best works while chanting absentmindedly under her breath while making coffee each morning! Some would say that this is (in some way) denigrative to the significance of the "rites" (& etc.) - we prefer to believe that (obversely) it raises the mundane life to the sanctity of the "gods".
Given these views is it any wonder that my people tend to take a very different approach to ritual. Many of these seem insanely simple by comparison with most modern approaches. This should not be taken to mean that the content is small etc or that we are incapable of lengthy complex rites - because neither of these veiws are correct.
Each of us is required to show proficiency and understanding in and of all forms of ritual ; from the highly complex Solomonic styles to the comparitively simple celebrations of the modern Neo - Pagan. It is by experiencing all of these in turn that we learn how each thinks, feels and acts. It is this in turn that explains their mysteries and symbolism to us.
By the end of their training, the student is required to show further ability by putting together a system of work of their own using fictional characters as "God/desses" etc. This is the final "student test" for our kind - the running of a group while "carrying the spirit" to the point where even fiction becomes reality.
The fully fledged operative of our people therefore has a wealth of information and centuries of different understandings of diverse times and places to draw on. It is in this way that our people may choose between a Solomonic working that may take anywhere up to a year to perform fully to a simple ritual of guestures on a hilltop at dawn.
Both of these are equally valid forms and each has a wealth of information contained within it for the attentive student who applies themselves to the nuances. For example - look back at the amount of information contained in that simple "Four Limbs" chant alone and bear in mind that it does not take into account things such as: time, place, inflection, guesture & etc.
posted by BissekArt at 10:12 am
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