Liber XLIV The Mass of the Phoenix
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93 All,
Just recently, I completed memorizing the Mass of the Phoenix for my personal practice. I am curious however, has anyone ever suggested that this ritual be done in the imagination or in the aspirant’s body of light
The reason I am asking, I found myself working the entire ritual in my imagination shortly after it was memorized.
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@Ankh said
"93 All,
Just recently, I completed memorizing the Mass of the Phoenix for my personal practice. I am curious however, has anyone ever suggested that this ritual be done in the imagination or in the aspirant’s body of light
The reason I am asking, I found myself working the entire ritual in my imagination shortly after it was memorized."
93 Ankh,
All rituals can worked, and effective in the body of light. But with this one I think there is the actual physical elements of the sacrament that makes it a higher type of Eucharist ritual.
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93 Phoenix,
Thank you for the responds.
"Phoenix93 Quote:All rituals can worked, and effective in the body of light. But with this one I think there is the actual physical elements of the sacrament that makes it a higher type of Eucharist ritual."
Agreed. I do believe there is an argument for some types of rituals to be physically performed in which the energy is brought down to Assiah.
But, I have three issues with the Mass of the Phoenix.- Consistency. If I perform the Mass in the body of light or my imagination, I can do it almost anywhere and be consistent in my daily practice. I wouldn’t have to worry about a robe, alter, implements, etc... Also, I wouldn’t have to be overly concerned about disruptions from family, friend or co-worker. If I have to work late, it’s still no problem it’s just a timing issue.
- Viewing the setting Sun is another issue, that is, my house doesn’t have a window facing west. My bedroom does have a 10X20 wooden deck that I can walk out on through a door in the bedroom but, it faces north.
- I already have enough scars & injury’s to last me a life time from car accidents and riding motorcycles. I just don’t see any good reason to cut & scar myself everyday with what appears to be an excellent solar ritual. I believe the symbolism is more important than the physical act. I could be wrong.
I understand that each aspirant has to find practices that work best for them. That of course depends on each aspirant unique responsibility in life and there Dharma. I am wondering… is there a way to charge the cake of light with out using blood? Maybe, a Divine or Angelic name
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@Ankh said
"My bedroom does have a 10X20 wooden deck that I can walk out on through a door in the bedroom but, it faces north."
The Abramelin operation requires just that
"I just don’t see any good reason to cut & scar myself everyday with what appears to be an excellent solar ritual. I believe the symbolism is more important than the physical act. I could be wrong."
There is a more subtle interpretation that calls for the Blood of the Lion & not that of the worshipper...the Mark is carved in the mind at the point that the Blood is shed.
The symbolism of the wounding of the chest is alluding to the Pelican who feeds Her young with Blood from Her own Breast. It is this Blood that nourishes the Spiritual Body of the Initiate.616
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@KRVB MMShCh said
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"I just don’t see any good reason to cut & scar myself everyday with what appears to be an excellent solar ritual. I believe the symbolism is more important than the physical act. I could be wrong."There is a more subtle interpretation that calls for the Blood of the Lion & not that of the worshipper...the Mark is carved in the mind at the point that the Blood is shed. "
"The symbolism of the wounding of the chest is alluding to the Pelican who feeds Her young with Blood from Her own Breast. It is this Blood that nourishes the Spiritual Body of the Initiate."
Yes. Let us not forget, "[The Eucharist] consists in taking common things, transmuting them into things divine, and consuming them... So far, it is a type of every magick ceremony, for the reabsorption of the force is a kind of consumption; but it has a more restricted application, as follows.
Take a substance (This may be of composite character) symbolic of the whole course of nature, make it God, and consume it..." -MITP, ch.XX
The discussion afterwards in this chapter is also particularly puissant re:616's mention above of the Blood of the Lion.
IAO131
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93 KRVB MMShCh,
Thank you for the responds.
"Quote: The Abramelin operation requires just that "
Oh yeah, that’s right! Well, I wouldn’t be able to under take that operation for a while.
"Quote: There is a more subtle interpretation that calls for the Blood of the Lion & not that of the worshipper...the Mark is carved in the mind at the point that the Blood is shed. "
Aha! Thanks for the insight KRVB MMShCh. That might work well for special occasions. But, that brings up other issues that would not work on a day to day basis. What I was looking for is an appropriate name that I could chant to charge the cake of light.
Maybe the Hebrew word Chai, which means living In Hebrew, the word Chai is spelled Cheth+Yod. Along with Dam, which means blood in Hebrew, that is Daleth+Mem. So: Chai + Dam, Chaidam might mean: Living Blood. This could fulfill the requirement for the Mass. Maybe......
The ritual says:
He puts the first cake on the fire of the Thurible.
I burn the Incense-cake, proclaim
These adorations of Thy name.He makes them as in Liber Legis, and strikes again eleven times upon the Bell. With the burin he then makes upon his breast the proper sign.
Behold this bleeding breast of mine
Gashed with the sacramental sign!He puts the second cake to the wound
**I stanch the blood; the wafer soaks
It up, and the high priest Invokes! **He then eats the cake.
This Bread I eat. This oath I swear
As I enflame myself with prayer:
“There is no grace: there is no guilt:
This is the Law: DO WHAT THOU WILT!”What I could change for a daily practice is this:
Instead of using the burin I would just make the proper sign *around my breast *(that is the heart chakra).
After the sign/symbol is made Chant: Chaidam.
Also, it just occurred that IAO is a solar themed name, it might work as well
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@Ankh said
"93 KRVB MMShCh,
Thank you for the responds.
"Quote: The Abramelin operation requires just that "
Oh yeah, that’s right! Well, I wouldn’t be able to under take that operation for a while.
"Quote: There is a more subtle interpretation that calls for the Blood of the Lion & not that of the worshipper...the Mark is carved in the mind at the point that the Blood is shed. "
Aha! Thanks for the insight KRVB MMShCh. That might work well for special occasions. But, that brings up other issues that would not work on a day to day basis. What I was looking for is an appropriate name that I could chant to charge the cake of light.
Maybe the Hebrew word Chai, which means living In Hebrew, the word Chai is spelled Cheth+Yod. Along with Dam, which means blood in Hebrew, that is Daleth+Mem. So: Chai + Dam, Chaidam might mean: Living Blood. This could fulfill the requirement for the Mass. Maybe......
The ritual says:
He puts the first cake on the fire of the Thurible.
I burn the Incense-cake, proclaim
These adorations of Thy name.He makes them as in Liber Legis, and strikes again eleven times upon the Bell. With the burin he then makes upon his breast the proper sign.
Behold this bleeding breast of mine
Gashed with the sacramental sign!He puts the second cake to the wound
**I stanch the blood; the wafer soaks
It up, and the high priest Invokes! **He then eats the cake.
This Bread I eat. This oath I swear
As I enflame myself with prayer:
“There is no grace: there is no guilt:
This is the Law: DO WHAT THOU WILT!”What I could change for a daily practice is this:
Instead of using the burin I would just make the proper sign *around my breast *(that is the heart chakra).
After the sign/symbol is made Chant: Chaidam.
Also, it just occurred that IAO is a solar themed name, it might work as well "Whats wrong with the obvious 'ABRAHADABRA'? Or VIAOV? or BABALON?
...IAO131
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93, Aum418
"Quote:
Whats wrong with the obvious 'ABRAHADABRA'? Or VIAOV? Or BABALON?"
I am new to Thelema Aum, that why the names are not clear to me. But, I don’t see any problems with them except, I have never used them.Couple quick questions about the names.
- How do you chant ABRAHDABRA? On what note? On one single breath?
- Does VIAOV correspond to FIAOF?
- Is BABALON chanted? I am probably wrong. But, I got the impression from some where, that BABALON is said at the end of Thelemic rituals?
Thank you for the excellent questions.
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@Ankh said
"2. Does VIAOV correspond to FIAOF?"
Yes. The "F" in "FIAOF" is not really an "F"; it stands for a letter in the ancient Greek alphabet called a digamma. In appearance, the digamma looked like an "F", but its phonetic value was like a "U" or "W". Its numerical value is 6.
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Correct. FIAOF or VIAOV (depending on where it's written - it's the same thing) is pronounced: WEE-AH-OO.
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@Jim Eshelman said
"1. How do you chant ABRAHDABRA? On what note? On one single breath? "
With your mouth.
Sure.
"2. Does VIAOV correspond to FIAOF? "
Yes. I would just consider them to be silent letters, corresponding to Hebrew Vav and Greek Digamma.
"3. Is BABALON chanted? "
It sure can be. Its a word.
"I am probably wrong. But, I got the impression from some where, that BABALON is said at the end of Thelemic rituals? "
I am not aware of one official ritual that does this, so I believe you were misinformed. I suggest looking in Magick in Theory & Practice on the formula of IAO / VIAOV ... BABALON is explained in many places like the intro to the Urn, places in Voice of SIlence commentary, and in Vision & the Voice of course. It is esesntially draining all of your blood (ego/attachments) out into the Cup of Abominations/Babalon/Saints. BABALON could also be taken etymologically as The Gate/Door (BAB) of the God (AL) ON (ON).
IAO131
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93 Gmugmble,
"Yes. The "F" in "FIAOF" is not really an "F"; it stands for a letter in the ancient Greek alphabet called a digamma. In appearance, the digamma looked like an "F", but its phonetic value was like a "U" or "W". Its numerical value is 6."
I didn’t know that gmugmble, thanks. Also, I appreciate the link.
93 Jim,
"Correct. FIAOF or VIAOV (depending on where it's written - it's the same thing) is pronounced: WEE-AH-OO."
Aha, thank you for showing the pronunciation Jim.
93 Aum 418,
"With your mouth."
Well… I sure would hate to imagine it coming from any where else!
"Jim Eshelman wrote:
- How do you chant ABRAHDABRA? On what note? On one single breath? "
BTW, you have JAE quoted as asking the question when it was me. No big deal. I am sure Jim wouldn’t ask such silly questions.
"I suggest looking in Magick in Theory & Practice on the formula of IAO / VIAOV ... BABALON is explained in many places like the intro to the Urn, places in Voice of Silence commentary, and in Vision & the Voice of course. It is essentially draining all of your blood (ego/attachments) out into the Cup of Abominations/Babalon/Saints. BABALON could also be taken etymologically as The Gate/Door (BAB) of the God (AL) ON (ON)."
Thank you for the reference Aum418 they should be a big help
I will pick these books up payday. - How do you chant ABRAHDABRA? On what note? On one single breath? "