LVX / NOX and the nature of the Light
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I've just finished reading that part of the book myself, and I had the same question. The only thing I keep going back to in trying to apprehend this chapter is this:
"Because Abiegnus, the Mountain of the Adepts in the New Aeon is identical with Zion, the Holy Mountain of God, the City of the Pyramids under the Night of Pan." (pg.155). -
@TGoC said
" "Because Abiegnus, the Mountain of the Adepts in the New Aeon is identical with Zion, the Holy Mountain of God, the City of the Pyramids under the Night of Pan." (pg.155)."
Except... if it's "identical," then it only is by definition.
Similarly, Temple of Thelema carefully distinguishes Zion from Abiegnis (not all mystic mountains are the same). Ours, too, is a matter of definition, though a useful one.
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@Tinman said
"Would you post your definitions Jim?"
It's not terribly complex.
Abiegnis is the name of the Mystic Mountain in the Rosicrucian traditions, and has long sacramentally and ceremonially related to the Second Order attainment in general, and the admission to Tiphereth in partricular.
Notice, though, that I broadly mentioned "Second Order." For example, Chesed is as much "there" as Tiphereth. The Vault, in whatever its context is conceived as being within Abiegnis (which is, after all, a mystic mountain).
Thus, for example, the most important promulgations of the head of Temple of Thelema are said to emanate, "From my Throne, Within the Sacred Vault, Within the Mystic Mountain." (Subtleties of this meaning, and parallel constructions related to astral forms built up progressively through our degrees, enhance this meaning; but the general idea is plain enough to the uninitiate as well.)
One could elect to use Zion in the same way; but, inasmuch as the word Zion (TzYVN) enumerates to 156, we have always used it as a synonym for City of the Pyramids, i.e., the attainment in Binah.
My main point in jumping in, though, is that one can't argue that A=B (as if it were some universally agreed idea) when the definitions of A and B are both simple conventions with no broadly agreed meanings. One can build up a particular system with one's own definitions, but can't jusitifiably use those to argue a point outside of one's own little framework.
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@Jim Eshelman said
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@TGoC said
" "Because Abiegnus, the Mountain of the Adepts in the New Aeon is identical with Zion, the Holy Mountain of God, the City of the Pyramids under the Night of Pan." (pg.155)."Except... if it's "identical," then it only is by definition.
Similarly, Temple of Thelema carefully distinguishes Zion from Abiegnis (not all mystic mountains are the same). Ours, too, is a matter of definition, though a useful one."
Thank you for your clarification.
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I've been doing more thread digging...
I also have/read Gunther's book and was interested in what he had to say about LVX/NOX.
From what I've read here and your definitions of Mt. Abeignis and Zion not being the same thing, do you not agree with Gunther on NOX being the initiatic formula of the aeon instead of LVX?
My understanding would be how Crowley said there are two major milestones in a magicians career, K&C of the HGA and the traversing of the Abyss. LVX would still be the formula for Mt. Abeignis, the HGA, and NOX would be the formula for the Abyss, Zion.
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@kuniggety said
"From what I've read here and your definitions of Mt. Abeignis and Zion not being the same thing, do you not agree with Gunther on NOX being the initiatic formula of the aeon instead of LVX?"
No, I wouldn't agree with that statement at all.
It's the formula past a certain point - but not in general.
OTOH I admit that this could be semantics to some extent, since the map isn't the territory, and the formula isn't the experience.
Still... it's hard (not impossible, just hard) to see this any other way: The initiation into Tiphereth is into Light. The initiation into Binah is into the Night that succeeds that Light.
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@Jim Eshelman said
"Still... it's hard (not impossible, just hard) to see this any other way: The initiation into Tiphereth is into Light. The initiation into Binah is into the Night that succeeds that Light."
Thanks Jim. This was definitely my understanding of the initiatic formula/experiences.
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@kuniggety said
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@Jim Eshelman said
"Still... it's hard (not impossible, just hard) to see this any other way: The initiation into Tiphereth is into Light. The initiation into Binah is into the Night that succeeds that Light."Thanks Jim. This was definitely my understanding of the initiatic formula/experiences."
A couple of things in Gunther's defense:
(1) I haven't yet read his book. It's been sitting on my table since about the time it came out. I've been careful to answer in terms of things quoted to me, not pretending to answer what he has written directly since I haven't read it. (Why haven't I read it? At first I was too busy, and now it's quite important I not read it until after I finish the new book I have about half done.)
(2) It seems pretty clear that he's trying to say something new. That's one of the few good reasons to write a book! <vbg> Therefore, it isn't a criticism per se if it is found that he doesn't match what anyone has said or thought before.
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I think what Gunther is really saying is that LVX is not the central formula of initiation any more. He seems to be saying that it is not the central formula because the big deal in the New Aeon is crossing the Abyss, which the NOX formula is useful for. Previously in the Old Aeon Tiphareth was the highest goal for the majority of adepts, now it's Binah. So LVX is used a lot in the early years, with NOX gradually taking on more importance.
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Actually NOX comes into play much earlier if you review the grade materials. The formula of the 0=0 is LVX but with the 1=10 the materials begin to implement and work with the NOX formula.. the Ruby, Star Sapphire, Liber V etc. as the aspirant travels to the 5=6 and K&C. Once he becomes a D.L. the formula returns to LVX for the Invocation and the R&C grades until the Babe of the Abyss where it returns to the NOX formula.