HIGH MAGICK
The Tree of Life
The Spheres of the Tree represent states of consciousness, worlds of perception which must all be visited in order to actualize the whole self; the Spheres are attributed to the planets. The Paths which connect the Spheres show the type of action which leads from one Sphere to another, and today are often attributed to the Tarot trumps. The Spheres and the Paths represent mental and emotional attributes and problem areas. If the Soul and its companion, the Will, are to realize their destiny of becoming one with the Universe, they must eventually pass through all stages of development so that the initiated subconscious of the Adept becomes the fully illuminated consciousness perfectly aligned with the True Will, and therefore with cosmic consciousness.
The Planets and Their Symbols The full circle represents the spiritual mind, the infinite; the straight line, the conscious mind, the masculine principle; the semi-circle, the unconscious mind, the feminine principle.
MERCURY - In this symbol the unconscious mind is above the universal mind on the cross of matter. Mercury is the planet of the mind, and is synonymous with intellectual movement and progress.
VENUS - In this symbol the circle of the universal mind over the cross represents the descent of Spirit into the physical world. Thus the universal mind is seen to be triumphant over the world. Venus is the principle of love on earth, of attraction, of joy and beauty.
MARS - In this symbol the universal mind, the creative Spirit, is limited by the world. The symbol denotes power, creation, and dynamic energy. Anger and self-assertiveness, or courage and strength of character.
JUPITER - In the cross and the crescent, the symbol of the soul is seen liberating itself from the world. Jupiter expresses kindness and generosity to everyone. Universality of outlook and soul growth.
SATURN - The cross of the world is over the crescent of the unconscious mind; man is putting his own hard reason over his intuition. It is a sign that stands for determination, perseverance, patience, building. Change and testing are of Saturn.
URANUS - The pictograph of this symbol shows the raised consciousness; it signifies the energy of the Spirit playing upon the world. Uranus is the planet of insight into the laws of Nature. When a man is evolved, he learns by insight and self-control how to make use of Illumination without being destroyed. This is a planet of extremes.
NEPTUNE - The symbol of the planet shows the crescent of the unconscious mind above and pierced by the cross, representing the descent of Spirit into the world; this often confers the gift of prophecy, so those influenced by Neptune are often mystics. It implies the vision of completion, spiritual insight and mysticism.
PLUTO - This represents the combination of Sun, Moon and the cross of the world; or Spirit, soul and body. There is a change of consciousness here, an elevation and spiritualization. Pluto marks the transformations which have already taken place, and the beginning of a new phase.
The Planetary Sojourns MERCURY - One is able to review all of one's lives, to find something of value. Murky, unstable atmosphere, as you find yourself in the center of a vortex. You must will yourself to move forward in your quest for perfection and the vortex will then release you. At the River of Life you will come to an understanding of many things.
VENUS - The atmosphere is gentle beyond belief; caution not to become too deeply immersed in the purity of selfless love that you forget there are other Paths.
MARS - In this harsh and simmering atmosphere, we pit ourselves against the dislike others have for us; if we return this in kind, it becomes a test of all that is worst in human nature. Replace its storm with calm and tranquil thoughts and the burning off is rapid.
JUPITER - This teaches restraint and builds firm determination to do the right thing. It remorselessly rebukes those who think to dominate another. Here the ego meets its greater match; when we wish to serve ourselves, it is impossible to do so. Hold fast to spiritual ideals.
SATURN - This is where one goes for spiritual uplift, and it is reserved by most until the other planetary influences have been met, for many are not yet ready for this ultimate testing of the soul. Spirituality has occupied this area for all the days of its years, a blissful atmosphere.
URANUS - Here is the influence of the truce, where many settle all by simply swearing not to recognize the conditions that caused a situation in the first place. Rage or resentment will bind you tightly until in despair you sacrifice past gains of the soul for your freedom. Uranus torments us with conflicts left unresolved in each life, and hones the soul.
NEPTUNE - Here we have such a benevolent state that many are tempted to dwell too long, but hard challenges provide for faster spiritual growth. Here is a resting state and also a testing ground, for until one undergoes that feeling of nothingness he does not completely grasp the sense of somethingness which drives one to try another life.
PLUTO - Improving one's determination to succeed where all else has failed. An easy rest stop for those who are truly on the quest for reunion with the Creator, since no adverse reactions are permitted here. The imps who play about amusing themselves can be distracting.
Sacraments: Drugs, Sex and Rock & Roll In order to achieve the Alchemical transformation, you must first die (change). Such changes occur in small ways with 'little deaths,' temporary suspensions of mental continuity which occur when we experience sex, drugs or music; thus, these are considered sacraments, 'that which gives power' (to alter consciousness.) Regularly using sacraments conditions consciousness to become adept at changing its focus.
Drugs are not an adequate substitute for the methodology of attaining illumination, but drugs may help us to extend our perceptions of reality and enhance our ability to be aware of the spirituality of our experiences. Psychedelics such as mescaline and psilocybin are used to reprogram consciousness, and tryptophan deprivation due to the drugs occupying the receptor site for tryptophan makes possible regeneration through time manipulation. Narcotic drugs such as tobacco and jimsonweed have also been used traditionally to change the focus of consciousness. The most popular transforming drug used throughout man's history has been the depressant alcohol. Today, another depressant that has become popular for altering consciousness is marijuana. Although the use of drugs may be helpful, it is dangerous to get lost in drug use; a sober attitude of control and spiritual purpose should always guide you. Let the buyer beware.
Sex is the primary transforming process available to man. This is the process designed by the Great Architect to represent the Great Work of regeneration and reunification. Although sex is not the Great Work itself (the Great Work being entirely internal), it is the image of the Work. You should keep in mind that the sexual energy is that which is transmuted and circulated to aid transformation. Some people have a great deal of sexual energy, and can afford to squander it casually for fun--others do not. Those who do not should work at restoring their energy before attempting the Work. The sexual energy normally has a male-female balance that is necessary for successful regeneration; when this energy becomes unbalanced, then the Great Work cannot be successfully attained. Many have used sexual celibacy or stimulation to intensify the energy of consciousness (sexual energy), which is then sublimated (raised up) and transmuted to aid transformation. Unfortunately, abuses exist and ignorance is widespread. Anyone seeking to pursue alchemy will have to deal wisely with the issue of sexual energy.
Music has always been used by man to alter consciousness, from riding the thunder to the ecstasy produced by rock & roll. Shamanistic drums and rattles (or bells) help to alter consciousness by combining low-pitched and high-pitched sounds to create a condition known as white noise, which blocks the normal activity of the brain and allows the formation of new combinations of brain waves. Chanting mantras helps to condition the consciousness to maintain a spiritual focus, while constant repetition can have transforming effects and leads one to the opposite of any sound, silence. Silence--that is, inner silence--is an important gateway to spiritual realms and a powerful aid in prosecuting the Great Work. Alchemy also makes use of the inner sound, the music of the spheres, the dance of the fire-serpent. After you circulate the light of consciousness, you will hear the inner music ringing in the ears constantly. Dance often accompanies music, and the motion of the body through space loosens the focus of consciousness and causes the present to vanish into an expanded moment in time.
Let me state here that I do not advocate the use of drugs, the practice of sex, or making or listening to music; I merely recognize their effects upon human consciousness. Anything can become a sacrament under the right circumstances.
The Fourth Mythos & The Tree of Knowledge The Fourth Mythos represents a magickal system I developed while running my Coven. It began with a series of dreams received after we commenced a series of Enochian Workings in 1974, and continued to develop over the next several years.
The Two Trees Walking the worlds is accomplished through the system of the two trees, the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge. The TOL represents the spiritual forces which make up the multiverse within and without; the TOK represents the new order of the universe discovered through spiritual growth, as represented by a magickal system devised by each Adept. The TOL is the first part of the Work, and is the same for everyone, while the TOK is created anew each time, and is unique to each individual. Once the Initiate becomes an Adept, he is called a Dragon, after the Dragon Marduk, Lord of Wisdom.
The Work of the Dragon is to compose the sevenfold into the fourfold regimen; and when thou hast understood, thou mayest make symbols. The sevenfold are the seven spheres of the Tree which are located below the ABYSS (the manifested realities, or states of consciousness). The fourfold regimen consists of the Three Degrees of the Lunar, Solar and Stellar Mysteries, and the hidden Fourth Degree, wherein the three become one. After learning to transfer our consciousness to the three higher planes, we then learn to earth our mastery of the higher planes in the physical world -- the whole being the Work of the Dragon. However, few Initiates have even development in the Three Degrees, and it is the Work of attaining perfect balance which allows successful completion of the Fourth.
1. Earthing the mental brings knowledge of the Spirit (wisdom); this is the Work of the Paths connecting the Spheres on the Trees.
2. Earthing the astral brings powers of ensorcelment (power); this is the Work of the Seven Spheres.
3. Earthing the causal brings spiritual authority to lead others on the Path (love); this leads to union with the Universal Spirit by Crossing the ABYSS.
4. Earthing the physical brings universal consciousness (continuous consciousness) and the Stone of the Gods, by bringing the Infinite back to the finite.
The Three Degrees The Three Degrees represent three stages of Work on the TOL. In the First Degree, one attains Initiation. This is a process that may occur over an extended period of time, culminating in a change of consciousness, a realignment with a more spiritual approach to life. The Second Degree corresponds to the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel, otherwise known as communion with one's Higher or Spiritual Self. This attainment results in inspiration and spiritual revelations. Afterward, one usually spends a considerable amount of time finding new patterns and meanings in everything around them, especially traditional spiritual and magickal teachings. This intense period of revelation must run its course and eventually become 'meaningless' before one can approach the Abyss. The more intellectual one is, the more detailed and comprehensive the revelations may become -- sometimes lasting for years and becoming an end in themselves, so that the Initiate fails to make any further real progress.
The overly intellectual nature of the discourses of many of those who claim to have Crossed the Abyss is a clear indication that they have gone nowhere yet (and not the 'nowhere' of the Abyss, which is is fact 'everywhere'). Passage through the Abyss is not a 'project' that remains on-going over time. The change in consciousness that occurs with this passage literally puts the mind in another state of existence, and the physical world is left behind. During this experience the physical body is as lifeless, cold and immobile. Those who claim they have invoked a Passage through the Abyss that lasted for weeks, months or years are lacking in an understanding of what Crossing the Abyss entails. Crossing the Abyss results in one (usually) returning their consciousness to the everyday world in an altered state (being cast back across the Abyss to the sphere of the Tree that is most congruent with their overall energies). The spiritual transformation that occurs is beyond the ken and compass of the conscious rational mind, and the effects only make themselves evident over time.
Understanding that the Tree of Life (TOL) is not a closed system and that one must create their own Tree is a first step. However, those who claim that their Tree is the New Tree for everyone have missed the next step: to realize that the New Tree (the Tree of Knowledge, or TOK)is individual and different for each of us. Ultimately, each must create their own system and their own Tree and their own path, and the many revelations one encounters or uncovers along the Way are often worthless to others -- except as a Roadmark.
Work of Rising Through the Spheres 1st - Magickal Formula = Venus, Mars, Moon
Venus - dream your dream / mental forces are silently concentrated on one point; the fantasy of the flesh, symbolized by the Eye of the Dragon, which reproduces its image as a reflection in the Waters of the ABYSS.
Mars - create reality / projecting of energy which hurls the image into the astral light; the power zone of the mind, symbolized by the hand, organizes the fantasy
Moon - purification of the First Matter
2nd - Magickal Formula = Jupiter, Saturn, Sun
Jupiter - invocation of cosmic energy / creation of new patterns
Saturn - evocation of personal energy / destruction of old forms
Sun - descent of the Spirit
3rd - Magickal Formula = Neptune, Uranus, Pluto
Neptune - union with Universe / City of Pyramids
Uranus - union with Partner / Garden of PAN
Pluto - Marriage of the Forces
(4th) - Magickal Formula = Regenerated Mercury
Regenerated Mercury - recreates your Universe / walk the worlds / enter Eternity
Babe of the ABYSS / birth of the Light Spirit, the Son Who Rises
Liber Mysterium I. High History - Creation: consciousness gestalt & the multiverse; Angels & Demons, Elemental & Nature Spirits, Bodies & Planes
Contents of the Book of Shadows
II. Spiritual Body - Acupuncture: energy points & paths; Aura: Bodies, Psychic Centers & Siddhis; Alchemy & Philosophers' Stone
III. Spiritual Universe - Planes: time & space (alternate & probable); Tree of Life & Tree of Knowledge; Pathwork: ritual & meditation
IV. Illuminati - Divine Forces; Great White Brotherhood; Priesthood; Initiation & the Three Degrees (Path of the Red Dragon)
V. Temple Rituals - Feasts of Remembrance: Solar & Lunar Rituals
VI. Rites of Passage
VII. Divination (Discovery of the Divine) - Mandala; Astrology; Tarot; I Ching; Geomancy & Runes; Misc.
VIII. Key of the Changeling - First Born; Moon/ magnetic; self-discovery; Penetrating the Seven Veils of ISA rearranges the Universe;
Progress through expansion & contraction of consciousness
Earth - Physical preparation: diet & dress; location; supplies
New Moon - Relaxation; concentration; visualization; breathing; meditation; purification of bodies - lesser circulation; building & seeing the aura: middle pillar exercise, casting the Circle
Venus - Dream record; invocation; psychic healing; spirit teachers
Mars - Charging amulets; conjuring familiars
Full Moon - Penetrating the Veils of ISA (portals & god-forms)
IX. Key of the Great Changeling - Twice-Born; self-mastery; Union with Genius transmutes the Universe;
Progress through creating & slaying the psychic centers
Sun - Communion with Genius: discovery of the True Will, building the magickal personality
Jupiter - Past lives; greater circulation; creating psychic centers
Saturn - Karmic work; slaying psychic centers
Sun & Moon - Union with Genius
X. Key of Those-Who-Change-Their-Selves - Thrice-Born; self-transcendence; Crossing the ABYSS destroys the Universe;
Progress through unifying & dissolving the pairs of opposites
Uranus - Union with partner: sex magick
Neptune - Union with Universe: group forms, aethyrs
Pluto - Union with Godhead: androgyne
XI. Song of the Serpent of Death& Rebirth - Self-Born/Bornless; self-annihilation/self-fulfillment;
< Universe
Regenerated Mercury - Androgyne; ZOS (magickal child)
Tree of Knowledge Psychic Center Chant 1. Arouse the Serpent from the Deep,
The Horny Beast within the Keep;
Its mingled cords do laugh and weep,
As first we sow, and then we reap.
2. We sow our dreams in time and space
To carry us into this place;
Let visions swift their flight retrace
That dreamer now may see its face.
3. Project my volt that it may vie
In realms where even Death must die,
To seek true knowledge and to try
To raise the elements on high.
4. One-Who-Is-Many knows its own
Heroes brought forth by blood and bone;
Eternal city high and lone,
Where the knower becomes the known.
5. Tower of blue where gods do rest
And Nemo ranges upon its quest,
Here light and darkness have their jest;
Protection, healing -- and the Test.
6. Beast and Master become the same
Our efforts now have stilled the game;
The gods we knew have all gone lame,
Their powers locked within a name.
7. Powers, knowledge and love complete,
We have attained the highest seat;
Many and none acclaim the feat,
Our bodies given the Beast to eat.
8. Bring the Risen Serpent of Eld
A blue rose in its gaze beheld,
An Universe it once had felled
It now creates anew, excelled.
Opening the Eye of the Dragon The process is called the Opening of the Eye of the Dragon because it sucks into itself all of the Light that the Beast (consciousness) has projected as the objective universe. This is the combination and balance of consciousness and its projection as the objective universe. This union produces the Immortal Spirit, the Sun at Midnight. The Beast is the Dragon, the Howler in the Wastes of Nothingness, the Demon Lord of Time, whose explosive union with Babalon, (the prototype of manifestation) opens the Gates of the ABYSS. Hence the blasphemy of the homosexual formula, for it denies Babalon and breeds devils in chaos (collectively, the Dweller on the Threshold or karmic demon, the Beast who guards the pylon of the veil between the planes). Thus the imperfectly created universe of the Dweller or Beast must be destroyed or reabsorbed (past karma must be overcome) before the Initiate-Become-Himself (the Beast) may raise his Grail upon the Altar, rising to union with Babalon. Thence the twin serpents of Ob and Od rise to an explosion of ecstasy in Da'ath, vibrating their Word and casting forth their Star. The Formula of the Beast conjoined with the Woman relates to the Scarlet Woman, Babalon, straddling the Beast with seven heads, as described in Revelation. The fusion of these two formulates the Divine Hexagram: the phallic fire, or ascending triangle, interlacing itself with the Water of Space, represented by the downward-pointing yoni of Night, Nox, or Nothingness. This is the process by which the Beast opens the womb of Babalon, as his infinite Light breaks open her Night and causes her to appear as infinite Darkness. It is in the silence of the death of desire that the child of the union of Babalon and the Beast realizes its identity with absolute consciousness. This process is the means of the return to the supreme state represented by the Cosmos, and is the true formula of Illumination. Called evil to conceal its holiness, it is desire that prompts man to know himself through another, i.e., through his own double, or devil. When the urge to know is turned inwards instead of outwards, as it usually is, then the ego dies and the objective universe is dissolved. In the Light of the Illumination, Divine Knowledge, the Gnosis, is all that remains.
After Kenneth Grant