Powers of the Sphinx and Silence
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Yes - purely as a labeling convention - the First Power of the Sphinx is To Know.
- To Know
- To Will
- To Dare
- To Hold Silence
I only know of one doctrinal reason why this matters (the sequence encodes one of the important Rosicrucian signature phrases) and can conceive of (i.e., make up) another non-trivial reason (Knowledge is requisite for knowingly aligning with Will); mostly, though, it's a communication convention.
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@Jim Eshelman said
" mostly, though, it's a communication convention."
That's how I've always understood it.
Anyway, while we're here, it reminds me of some other stuff...
Crowley attributes these to different elements and, as a result, different directions depending on the source. This would imply different Godforms are assigned to different elements/directions, if we followed out the Power of the Sphinx attributions and applied them to ritual.
What is your opinion on this, Jim? The Powers are attributed differently in the BoT and MWT than they are in Liber 111. Do you consider one of Crowley's attributions "more" correct?
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I know five different attribution sets of these by Crowley, in different times, different contexts, etc. I'm disinclined to give an opinion (though I have one <g>) because (1) at a couple of key points in formal examinations the aspirant needs to struggle with this exact issue and produce an answer, and (2) my mere opinion certainly isn't important enough to overwhelm the significant advantage of not screwing with these exams.
You haven't even mentioned those in 777, in works like De Lege Libellum, in Liber Aleph, or on a distinct and obvious document that is the very first official thing placed in the hands of a new A.'.A.'. Probationer.
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@Jim Eshelman said
"You haven't even mentioned those in 777, in works like De Lege Libellum, in Liber Aleph, or on a distinct and obvious document that is the very first official thing placed in the hands of a new A.'.A.'. Probationer."
Oh come on! I mentioned Liber Aleph above (sorry for the shorthand).
Well, I'll give an opinion. It changes! Based on the operation.
The "elements" don't change positions from the New Aeonic view, but the order in which one uses them may change, based on the operation; however, the Power of the Sphinx order stays static.
For an analogy, if one performs the signs of NOX in a particular order, it can mean something completely different than in another order...it does NOT mean one order is MORE CORRECT than any other, as some might believe - just as if one performs an action in the circle widdershins/deosil, or even spiralling on one's own axis, it simply has a different intent or, more directly, a different TARGET. Knowing this TARGET would be part of To Know.
Knowing where one "is standing" is something that needs to be considered before performing an operation (from Tiphareth, Malkuth, etc.) and where the operation is being directed toward is another consideration...
Regardless of the specific intent, to Know what one is doing, Willing it, Daring it, then staying Silent is the alchemical principle that applies to ALL operations - it does not change.
Sometimes the starting/ending point does change, but that's just an arbitrary/relative point that one chooses to view from. It's all coordinated by Spirit, which is always To Go!
This answer will be wrong by TOT standards because it would fuck up the test if you use the answer given by someone else.
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Well allow me to give a different perspective on the subject.
Actually I believe that success actually is a very distinctive mark of doing your Will, or at least that you are very close to it.
To be successful at something you must:- Objectively, have the necessary traits and skills to be able to perform it well.
It is no good for me to try being a successful businessman, I simply do not have a multitasking brain. On the other hand my actual job demands a singletaksing brain, and that makes me more efficient than my colleges that are multitasking.
- Subjectively, be free from those inner conflicts that would jeopardize your productivity at those tasks.
Being able of harnessing your emotions towards a goal is much easier if that goal echos deeply on your natural structure and tendencies.
If the True Will is the dynamic expression of you inmost nature (or psychological constellation as Jung would call), fulfilling it would automatically fufill the two conditions to be successful. Of course success should not be measured simply on a social scale but mostly by the ability to perform the chosen task.
Crowley for example, did a lot of things but, the only thing that we can say he was successful was in “teaching the next step”, that was his stated Will, that he did and did well.
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@DavidH said
"93.
I have never entirely understood the concept of silence as part of the powers of the Sphinx. Is this not a formula for doing one's will, magic in the world? I try to look at very successful people who accomplish their wills and I don't usually see silence. I see all the other aspects of the sphinx in their lives/actions, but I see them verbalizing those dreams, engaging others into them, and getting people on-board to help accomplish it in the world. If one is silent, how do they bring the needed elements into play to get things moving in Assiah? Maybe something else is meant by silence? Or is there a short required silent phase needed before the 5th power (which would include the verbalizing)?"
Well, what I understand about the subject is that silence is a tool. Most of those people do a lot of talking but, on the other hand are unbelievable discreet and self-contained. It is not about stopping communication as such, but being able to control communication.
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@Frater 639 said
"Knowing where one "is standing" is something that needs to be considered before performing an operation (from Tiphareth, Malkuth, etc.) and where the operation is being directed toward is another consideration...
Regardless of the specific intent, to Know what one is doing, Willing it, Daring it, then staying Silent is the alchemical principle that applies to ALL operations - it does not change.
Sometimes the starting/ending point does change, but that's just an arbitrary/relative point that one chooses to view from. It's all coordinated by Spirit, which is always To Go! "
I'm quoting myself because I must be lonely. Then, in answer to my loneliness!, I had someone contact me and tell me that an operation doesn't always have to be coordinated by Spirit, as in the formula of ALIM, instead of ALHIM. They were absolutely right and I stand corrected.
*The Elements are all represented, as in Tetragrammaton, but there is no development from one into the others. They are, as it were, thrown together — untamed, only sympathising by virtue of their wild and stormy but elastically resistless energy. The Central letter is "He" — the letter of breath — and represents Spirit. The first letter "Aleph" is the natural letter of Air, and the Final "Mem" is the natural letter of Water. Together, "Aleph" and "Mem" make "Am" — the mother within whose womb the Cosmos is conceived. But "Yod" is not the natural letter of Fire. Its juxtaposition with "He" sanctifies that fire to the "Yod" of Tetragrammaton. Similarly we find "Lamed" for Earth, where we should expect Tau — in order to emphasize the influence of Venus, who rules Libra.
"ALHIM", therefore, represents rather the formula of Consecration than that of a complete ceremony. It is the breath of benediction, yet so potent that it can give life to clay and light to darkness.
[...]
After the magician has created his instrument, and balanced it truly, and filled it with the lightnings of his Will, then is the weapon laid away to rest; and in this Silence, a true Consecration comes.
THE FORMULA OF ALIM
It is extremely interesting to contrast with the above the formula of the elemental Gods deprived of the creative spirit... *
-- MTP Part III Chap IV
I think this chapter is extremely relevant to the topic, since it mentions the Tetragrammation (which is the closest correlation to the Powers of the Sphinx IMHO and it does happen to be Chap. 4) and Silence specifically. Anyway, speaking of fours...may you have a happy Jupiter Day.
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In my opinion, the meaning increases in depth as one progresses through the grades.
For example, at Neophyte it may be relevant to practical applications or a utilitarian context e.g
"silence, in order to maintain secrecy". Then as the initiate further evolves the meaning becomes
more relevant to the innermost self and the paths of initiation before adeptus minor. In other words,
"silence" is unveiled to be a secret of the innermost truths that are revealed by your further progress
toward the Angel. It's important not to minimize the powers in a mundane context and leave your mind
open to greater more secret meanings (depending upon where you are progress wise). -
East quarter is where guardian shows. So at this dirrection we definitely dont need silence and dare fits best there.
West quarter is thelemic quarter, so know fits there. Altrought you can switch know with dare and see result...
Sounth is for personal changings that sometimes may try happen. I found that this quarter is very passive and nothing wants or even cant happen there. Will there.
North is space of personal activities, information, so silence fits there.
And my further intuitive toughts would be - if at east we want constant overseer of angel we put water, if we want action or reaction - will, intervention - dare, short audial messages earth. And so for other quarters, but east quarter is really most important. -
Only one quarter is a Thelemic quarter?
