The conscious mind is not a singularity—it is a complex of functions and forces which ebb and flow within each other, and their movement creates thoughts and impressions that we believe to be our individual consciousness. Consciousness, by the very context of the word denotes a fullness, a purity, conveyed through faculties of awakened perception. Our conscious mind, however, is …
Symbolism & Power of the Magic Circle in Evocation
Because man is a simulacrum of the universe (made in the image and likeness of God), all archetypal powers that exist in the universe also reside embryonically within man. Deep initiatory magic is about contacting the intelligences of those archetypes on the universal level to mediate that power back to connect, integrate with, and unfold the embryonic levels of the …
True Initiatory Levels in Alchemy & Magic
This post contains excerpts from Chapter X, True Initiatory Levels in Alchemy & Magic, from Practical Alchemy: Path to High Alchemical Arts. Furthermore, viewpoints shared here are based upon universal alchemical levels that reflect and align with the practical work itself, not with reaching a level or attaining a title within any temporal spiritual organization. True initiatory levels in alchemy …
The UnderWorld Initiation by R. J. Stewart
As the first post in the new ‘Axiomata’ category, I’ve chosen The UnderWorld Initiation by R. J. Stewart. Though it draws extensively from Celtic material, its value can be extracted by Seekers of any tradition as it exceeds its source material on many levels. I have quoted content that applies universally regarding initiatory magic within a deeper context of truly …
Magic & Alchemy: Understanding the Link
Within the Hermetic Sciences, the foundation of the Western Mystery Tradition, the two main branches are magic and alchemy. Magic as a broad subject is far more widely studied, since reliable alchemical training is hard to find. The same is unfortunately true of magic, but there is so much more of it available in general, that Seekers are forced to …
Why Learn Real Alchemy on a Magical Path?
Real alchemy is the art of making quintessences, truly magical psycho-spiritual sacraments that expand consciousness into transcendent levels of experience. One point of distinction between true alchemical quintessences and entheogens used as sacraments in shamanic traditions, is that our quintessences act on a psycho-spiritual level without having any psychoactive compounds in the source materials. That is one of the proofs …
Ancient Egyptian Magic by Bob Brier
Ancient Egyptian Magic was the first authoritative modern work on the magic of ancient Egypt, delving into the occult practices and spiritual beliefs across thirty centuries of dynastic rule during the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms. Though it was written in 1980, and much has been learned since that time, this authoritative work will appeal to anyone interested in Egyptology, …
Seership & Initiatory Illumination
Illuminatory Seership is a profound and truly Western magical initiatory practice, though little understood. It clears the channels of spiritual vision while gently awakening the Dragon of the West (called Kundalini in the East) to release the evolutionary power of true magical Illumination. The attainment of the full faculty of occult Seership is a simultaneous quickening of consciousness and the …
Hermetic Arts
Hidden in the depths of every sentient being is the impulse for evolution. In the soul of a human being this impulse, after refinement where the qualities of perception become more rarefied, begins a seeping through of the very essence of core beingness. This brings an awareness of the quickening of the original impulse… an impulse that is now pushing …