OK, NOW WHAT'S THIS ABOUT AN "EGREGORE"?
Each group, whether they're aware of it or not, has created a magickal egregore (or "egregor" in some usages) - a gestalt construct or force-based collective entity that evolves from the thoughts, emotions and awareness of the group as a whole. The egregore itself is prone to change, as its respective group changes and will evolve or degenerate to reflect the members of the group, just as the group changes to reflecting the changing of the egregore.
For the egregore to function properly, each group member must be totally committed to the group and its practices (and thus its specific egregore) with no room for dissension or conflicting beliefs/interests. (Or the candidate must be able and willing to work within the group's magickal parameters without internal conflict or hesitation, even if their core beliefs differ. And yes, this IS possible.)
This gestalt may be known by any variety of names, depending on the person, the path, and/or their perception of it; it may be referred to as an "egregore", a "gestalt", a "current", it may feel like a "groupmind" or "hivemind", but no matter how it is referred to or described, it is the metaphysical force construct that links the group together. In some cases, those who are sensitive enough will be aware of it forming as a new group is created, or become aware of its presence as they are initiated into an already existing group.
It for this reason that people in a magickal group evaluate prospective candidates as carefully as they can before admitting them into the group - any personal conflicts with other group members, or disagreements with group philosophies, will interfere with the effectivess and function of the group's egregore.
Each group's egregore is - essentially - unique to the group, and thus individuals need that group's practices and methods in order to use that group's egregore. Tools, words, rituals, etc. that work within that group will not work within another group to utilize the other group's egregore. This is why groups have an initiation process - it works not only as method of formal induction into the group, but also as a means of getting the candidtate "properly plugged in" to that group's egregore. Continued contact of members to the group egregore is typically automatic, as long as the member still feels that he/she is a member of that group.
WHAT DOES AN EGREGORE DO?
The egregore is the reservoior of magickal power that influences and affects spells, the group as a whole, as well as each member individually. An egregore is, effectively, greater than the sum of its parts, and can operate more efficiently than the individuals might be able to separately.
Because an egregore is composed of bits and pieces, so to speak, of each of the group members, it generally follows the will of the group as a whole. However, magick CAN be fickle - with enough time and attention, the egregore may take on a life of its own, and may decide to do things its own way instead at that point.
Generally speaking, egregores and other metaphysical constructs do not live in a physical body, so they do not have a first-hand understanding of things like pain, hunger, exhaustion, and so on. This means such considerations by a more self-aware construct are not a priority, as they are only thought of in an abstract fashion.
Each group, whether they're aware of it or not, has created a magickal egregore (or "egregor" in some usages) - a gestalt construct or force-based collective entity that evolves from the thoughts, emotions and awareness of the group as a whole. The egregore itself is prone to change, as its respective group changes and will evolve or degenerate to reflect the members of the group, just as the group changes to reflecting the changing of the egregore.
For the egregore to function properly, each group member must be totally committed to the group and its practices (and thus its specific egregore) with no room for dissension or conflicting beliefs/interests. (Or the candidate must be able and willing to work within the group's magickal parameters without internal conflict or hesitation, even if their core beliefs differ. And yes, this IS possible.)
This gestalt may be known by any variety of names, depending on the person, the path, and/or their perception of it; it may be referred to as an "egregore", a "gestalt", a "current", it may feel like a "groupmind" or "hivemind", but no matter how it is referred to or described, it is the metaphysical force construct that links the group together. In some cases, those who are sensitive enough will be aware of it forming as a new group is created, or become aware of its presence as they are initiated into an already existing group.
It for this reason that people in a magickal group evaluate prospective candidates as carefully as they can before admitting them into the group - any personal conflicts with other group members, or disagreements with group philosophies, will interfere with the effectivess and function of the group's egregore.
Each group's egregore is - essentially - unique to the group, and thus individuals need that group's practices and methods in order to use that group's egregore. Tools, words, rituals, etc. that work within that group will not work within another group to utilize the other group's egregore. This is why groups have an initiation process - it works not only as method of formal induction into the group, but also as a means of getting the candidtate "properly plugged in" to that group's egregore. Continued contact of members to the group egregore is typically automatic, as long as the member still feels that he/she is a member of that group.
WHAT DOES AN EGREGORE DO?
The egregore is the reservoior of magickal power that influences and affects spells, the group as a whole, as well as each member individually. An egregore is, effectively, greater than the sum of its parts, and can operate more efficiently than the individuals might be able to separately.
Because an egregore is composed of bits and pieces, so to speak, of each of the group members, it generally follows the will of the group as a whole. However, magick CAN be fickle - with enough time and attention, the egregore may take on a life of its own, and may decide to do things its own way instead at that point.
Generally speaking, egregores and other metaphysical constructs do not live in a physical body, so they do not have a first-hand understanding of things like pain, hunger, exhaustion, and so on. This means such considerations by a more self-aware construct are not a priority, as they are only thought of in an abstract fashion.
There is a Truth. It is simple, universal and ineffable. It is the Holy Grail and the philosopher's stone of western magic. Approximations can be expressed in words; but words can only take you so far. The various art forms, and especially music[1], can take you a little further; but ultimately truth must be experienced. You have to make the last few steps on your own. That, for me, is the true mystery of the capstone[2] of the pyramid.
Knowledge of this truth conveys enormous power in both the physical and spiritual realms. And as the Roman Empire metamorphosed into the Roman Church[3] it sought by whatever means available to suppress this truth. A path to this truth is expressed in Hermetic philosophy which passed from Egyptian sages to the Greeks and thence to northern Europe. Expressing as it does a direct experience of the God headwhich has never been popular with those seeking dominion over others, passed from Egyptian sages to the Greeks and expressed this truth as eloquently as any philosophy in the east. Where Romans held sway this powerful egalitarian message was viciously attacked and driven underground where it continued to exert a subtle influence. Its survival over millennia, in spite of the destruction of its literature and the persecution of its adherents, bears testimony to its universal appeal. Coat tails.
Now, in the age of the Internet, that we can why don't we all become Buddhists?
The more you know of magic the more magic knows of you.
Tree stressed Why today do truth seekers not just follow the age where there is no longer a physical threat, Western Mystery Schools . convergence,
This truth, being universal, is the same in the east as the west. And though the path is less obstructed in the east than in the west, those last few steps are no less a challenge.
Keyword - Simplicity - Simplicity as Zen is a simplified Buddhism - that doesn't mean it is easy, sometimes simpler concepts are harder to grasp, the intention is to just that ones (limited) effort is concentrated where it can be most effective, think diamond cutter. Why engage in complex, protracted and resource sapping ritual. Aimed at providing a Magickal system that is compatible with 21st century living (in the west). 'Modern' radically re-engeneered magical practice (such as Chaos Magick) baby bathwater Conservative respectful simplication of Hermetic Magick and philosophy.
This truth, being universal, is the same in the east as the west. And though the path is less obstructed in the east than in the west, those last few steps are no less a challenge.
[1] Music is the one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind cannot comprehend.
Ludvig Van Beethoven
[2] "...the Sun enters the palace and the privy alike and is not polluted thereby. We raise not a Capitol or Pyramid to the pride of man, but a Holy Temple in his mind on the model of the Universe, which model we imitate. For whatsoever deserves to exist deserves to be known, and knowledge is the image of Existence. Now the mean and the splendid alike exist..." Francis Bacon, Novum Organum
Knowledge of this truth conveys enormous power in both the physical and spiritual realms. And as the Roman Empire metamorphosed into the Roman Church[3] it sought by whatever means available to suppress this truth. A path to this truth is expressed in Hermetic philosophy which passed from Egyptian sages to the Greeks and thence to northern Europe. Expressing as it does a direct experience of the God headwhich has never been popular with those seeking dominion over others, passed from Egyptian sages to the Greeks and expressed this truth as eloquently as any philosophy in the east. Where Romans held sway this powerful egalitarian message was viciously attacked and driven underground where it continued to exert a subtle influence. Its survival over millennia, in spite of the destruction of its literature and the persecution of its adherents, bears testimony to its universal appeal. Coat tails.
Now, in the age of the Internet, that we can why don't we all become Buddhists?
The more you know of magic the more magic knows of you.
Tree stressed Why today do truth seekers not just follow the age where there is no longer a physical threat, Western Mystery Schools . convergence,
This truth, being universal, is the same in the east as the west. And though the path is less obstructed in the east than in the west, those last few steps are no less a challenge.
Keyword - Simplicity - Simplicity as Zen is a simplified Buddhism - that doesn't mean it is easy, sometimes simpler concepts are harder to grasp, the intention is to just that ones (limited) effort is concentrated where it can be most effective, think diamond cutter. Why engage in complex, protracted and resource sapping ritual. Aimed at providing a Magickal system that is compatible with 21st century living (in the west). 'Modern' radically re-engeneered magical practice (such as Chaos Magick) baby bathwater Conservative respectful simplication of Hermetic Magick and philosophy.
This truth, being universal, is the same in the east as the west. And though the path is less obstructed in the east than in the west, those last few steps are no less a challenge.
[1] Music is the one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind cannot comprehend.
Ludvig Van Beethoven
[2] "...the Sun enters the palace and the privy alike and is not polluted thereby. We raise not a Capitol or Pyramid to the pride of man, but a Holy Temple in his mind on the model of the Universe, which model we imitate. For whatsoever deserves to exist deserves to be known, and knowledge is the image of Existence. Now the mean and the splendid alike exist..." Francis Bacon, Novum Organum
H4 view of his cultural history.
Divide world cultures geographically as follows. [1] Middle East, Asia minor, Europe, North America [2] Asia [3] South America. [4] Rest of World.
Block [1] Abrahamic religion with a sub strata of Hermetics
Block [2] Hermetics
Block [3] Who knows
Block [4] Nature religions/Sharmanism
Hermetic philosophy would be no big deal in the far east.
Hindus, Taoists, Buddhists, Shino openly follow largely the same ideas. God in everything, everything in God. That's because they have developed free from Roman influence.
Hermeticism in the West has been explicitly forbidden making it an underground movement and a very dangerous one at that. Followers know that it is not contradictory to the philosophy of Christ Jesus and see no conflict. The Roman church, however, sees it as a massive threat to their incredibly lucrative franchise.
So why, following a century of exposure to Eastern Hermetics, do we persist in following the Western tradition. The reason is simple. It is because of , not in spite of the millennia and a half of secrecy, burnings and persecution; confinement has made the strain stronger. Think of it as an alchemical process has been taking place in the retort of European history.
There has never been a culture that has matched the achievements of Pharaonic Egypt and their influence extends into our own civilisation. The Greeks were heavily influenced by the Egyptians, the Romans were heavily influenced by the Greeks, the Europeans were heavily influenced by the Romans. It's not quite that simple but ya de ya. So let's look at the Romans. For all their achievements there has never been a culture where cruelty was so institutionally ingrained. But that's okay; they became Christians and got all cuddly. Did they hell. The games, for instance, expanded and increased in ferocity under the first Christian emperor. When they took our lands they taught us to be cruel. Fort. Bathhouse. Brothel. Arena. And not necessarily in that order. Hearts and minds. And when Rome lost its grip on our land, you don't think is just dissolved away into nothing do you? No, Rome continued to maintain its stranglehold, via the Abrahamic religion that they had hi-jacked, with all the physical cruelty that you've come to expect from them. And the Roman penchent for plunder continued via the Crusades. And so did their unspeakable cruelty. The practices of the Inquisition may be culturally unfashionable right now but it hasn't been disbanded. And let's not forget the way that Rome buddied up to the Third Reich. Hitler and his crew were an amateurs compared to Rome. Catholics had been practicing their own 'final solution' for nine hundred years and seemed to have got away with it. How inspiring for the Nazis. Just a thought; if Hitler had come to power do you think that the Inquision would just be a conveniently forgotten memory?
But there was a fly in all this nasty Roman ointment.
Whilst Rome was busy plundering the Egyptians (albeit second hand) unbenownst to them they'd taken on board a stowaway. Hermes.
Have you ever met a nun?
But isn't this typical. We are so Eurocentric. We presume that the rest of the world was going through the same old shit as us. But they weren't. In the Far East, for instance, etc...
Divide world cultures geographically as follows. [1] Middle East, Asia minor, Europe, North America [2] Asia [3] South America. [4] Rest of World.
Block [1] Abrahamic religion with a sub strata of Hermetics
Block [2] Hermetics
Block [3] Who knows
Block [4] Nature religions/Sharmanism
Hermetic philosophy would be no big deal in the far east.
Hindus, Taoists, Buddhists, Shino openly follow largely the same ideas. God in everything, everything in God. That's because they have developed free from Roman influence.
Hermeticism in the West has been explicitly forbidden making it an underground movement and a very dangerous one at that. Followers know that it is not contradictory to the philosophy of Christ Jesus and see no conflict. The Roman church, however, sees it as a massive threat to their incredibly lucrative franchise.
So why, following a century of exposure to Eastern Hermetics, do we persist in following the Western tradition. The reason is simple. It is because of , not in spite of the millennia and a half of secrecy, burnings and persecution; confinement has made the strain stronger. Think of it as an alchemical process has been taking place in the retort of European history.
There has never been a culture that has matched the achievements of Pharaonic Egypt and their influence extends into our own civilisation. The Greeks were heavily influenced by the Egyptians, the Romans were heavily influenced by the Greeks, the Europeans were heavily influenced by the Romans. It's not quite that simple but ya de ya. So let's look at the Romans. For all their achievements there has never been a culture where cruelty was so institutionally ingrained. But that's okay; they became Christians and got all cuddly. Did they hell. The games, for instance, expanded and increased in ferocity under the first Christian emperor. When they took our lands they taught us to be cruel. Fort. Bathhouse. Brothel. Arena. And not necessarily in that order. Hearts and minds. And when Rome lost its grip on our land, you don't think is just dissolved away into nothing do you? No, Rome continued to maintain its stranglehold, via the Abrahamic religion that they had hi-jacked, with all the physical cruelty that you've come to expect from them. And the Roman penchent for plunder continued via the Crusades. And so did their unspeakable cruelty. The practices of the Inquisition may be culturally unfashionable right now but it hasn't been disbanded. And let's not forget the way that Rome buddied up to the Third Reich. Hitler and his crew were an amateurs compared to Rome. Catholics had been practicing their own 'final solution' for nine hundred years and seemed to have got away with it. How inspiring for the Nazis. Just a thought; if Hitler had come to power do you think that the Inquision would just be a conveniently forgotten memory?
But there was a fly in all this nasty Roman ointment.
Whilst Rome was busy plundering the Egyptians (albeit second hand) unbenownst to them they'd taken on board a stowaway. Hermes.
Have you ever met a nun?
But isn't this typical. We are so Eurocentric. We presume that the rest of the world was going through the same old shit as us. But they weren't. In the Far East, for instance, etc...
Prior to the advent of the Internet information has been scarce, difficult to transmit and easy to suppress. Now we have instant access to, what is effectively, the sum total of human knowledge. Pandora is most definitely out of her box. Though this information is just a click away for us we should remember, and be humbled by the uncomfortable fact that others risked their lives to transmit these messages to you. The stranglehold exerted by the Christianity over information for the last 1500 years , and which has substantially retarded human progress, has all but been negated. Whereas previously information was valued now there is danger that ease-of-access and superabundance will devalue its currency. We should feel a sense of deep gratitude and awe for those earlier in the information chain who suffered and died to transmit their truth. However superabundance of information, no matter how much we do or don't value it, brings its own problems. And our current challenge lays not in the struggle to access information but in discrimination and selectivity. Truth is not complex. And ultimate truth is not expressible. So in reading magical manuscripts you are reading an encoded message that hints at the truth using obscure parable and metaphor. Without access to the cypher you only have access to limited meaning. Pointing you in a direction, you have to take the last steps on your own. That is the secret of the truncated pyramid expressed on the $1 dollar bill. So after 45 years of study (and some few moments of insight and inspiration) this is my 21 century attempt to transmit my truth standing on the shoulders of magickal martyrs the boots of which I am not fit to lick. These messages descend to us from one source. Hermes. There is one further impediment to the truth, and that lays in over valuing the means of transmission. That is in mistaking the medium for the message. Being seduced by the medium and missing the message (that would account for the first thirty years of my study) The truth is not arcane, and no matter how undeniably 'romanticly' attractive the 'forbidden' nature of these documents they contain an essentially simple message.
Truth is bliss
Bliss is an experience which cannot be expressed
Magick is a technique enabling the experience of bliss. Bliss refines your spirit and your body.
Ritual is a technique of magick. Magick has two components. Low magick and High magick.
Low magic deals with improvement at a mundane level
REALITY
Truth is bliss
Bliss is an experience which cannot be expressed
Magick is a technique enabling the experience of bliss. Bliss refines your spirit and your body.
Ritual is a technique of magick. Magick has two components. Low magick and High magick.
Low magic deals with improvement at a mundane level
REALITY