Elements and directions
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I have been working through the Rodney Orpheus book Abrahadabra and I just had a couple of questions. I remember reading about it a long time ago and now I can't find it again. Why are the elements attributed differently than anywhere else? Normally it is: East=Air, West=Water, North=Earth and South=Fire. This book gives it as: East=Earth, North=Air, West=Water, South=Fire. I was also wondering why it instructs you to use your thumb for the Sign of Silence and drawing the pentagrams instead of your index finger?
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That's the orientation Crowley used for Liber Reguli and a variant version of the Star Ruby. Some people think it's a "more Thelemic" orientation. Probably the simplest explanation (though not the most commonly given) is that it is YHVH backwards and clockwise, i.e., the pattern of ascending the elements Earth, Air, Water, Fire when going widdershins (as those rituals call for you to do).
Thumb: Just a variation. Don't stress about so small a detail. It's not the most conventional, but it's an occasional variation you'll see.
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Check out the table/picture halfway down this page for a complete reference on directions and elements:
cdcruz.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/lesser-pentagram-ritual
It includes all "traditional" directions/elements including from the Sepher Yetzirah, 777, and Crowley's attributions for the Kerubic directions.
I also quote the Liber "Passing through the Tuat."
"In the matter of the directions, there are several markouts that make unclear whether he (Crowley) intends to use the ordinary elemental directions: E. Air, S. Fire, W. Water, N. Earth (as is implied in Liber Samekh, and used in the Lesser Pentagram, Star Ruby and others) or if he intends the Directions of the Cherubic Signs (as in the Planetary Stations): E. Fire, S. Earth, W. Air, N. Water (used in the Lesser Hexagram, the Star Sapphire and others) or even the directions in Liber Reguli: N. Air, S. Fire, E. Earth, W.Water."
I must say, that with esoteric terms and definitions, Magick lingo pretty much makes fun of the sexual terms that humans normally use to make fun of themselves. This does include some old-world languages like the Japanese using "Kun" for female name orientation. (They use "San" (Sun) for male name orientation.) I only mentioned this because of the Liber I just quoted.
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Oh. And I forgot to mention, with the directions in Liber Reguli, I feel the work of moving the Earth into the West. This is because the Earth is always "following the Sun", even though it revolves around it. The rotation of the Earth is it's way of correcting the Time of Power looking at time backwards through the Universe.
I quote the old Hebrew terms, How East is in front of you, (the past), and West behind you, (the Future).
Therefore, moving the Earth into an elemental direction of the East, it itself is attempting to move itself into the West.
I know this sounds confusing, but can be easily figured out by making maps.
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While I have never performed Reguli, part of it seems to be generally about orientation and the adaptation of consciousness in regards to that. Such as momentarily breaking you from naturally orientating your vision based on the fact that you are walking on the Earth. A more 'in space (or the void)' perspective, you might say.