Some qabalistic thoughts...
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On (IAO) + Beth:
IAO, I see as the 'three that are one,' the triune at the heart of existence.
On its own, I do not really get an 'elemental' feeling.
With the addition of Beth, Temple with the Heart withing
The adding of an earthen work, establishing an elemental structure.
Allowing for the Eucharist, as the Body & Blood are now complete
That is, manifest and separate, to be combined and reduced to its essence within the stomach.
Eventually departing the bowels.The bringing forth of Beauty unto the Kingdom
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The Star Ruby is about a level WAYYYYY below crossing the Abyss. That's a serious judgment derangement.
That said, and apart: I always thought the Star Ruby's best mathematical formula was 5 x 5 (in contrast to the Pentagram Ritual's formla being 4 x 4).
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It may have conatations of 5 and 6 pointed stars, however, the four gods of Babalon, Nuit, Therion and Hadit are all most definitely parts of yourself and dealing with the abyss. Also, i beleive the formula is 2=0 (Lashtal), one achieves (samadhi) by uniting all four of the higher elements- an act most definitely a formula to cross the abyss.
Having said that, i understand how some may see it as similar to an elemental banishing, and he definitely put that there for a reason- perhaps to replace the LBR?
I find it difficult to describe, however, i will do my best. I feel that the four elements of the Star Ruby are like elements, tools, higher weapons of the soul of which you must master in order to control abyssmal forces.
To compare the LBR with the Star Ruby is like to say the LBR is like standing on planet earth- you are dealing with earthly forces- the Star Ruby on the other hand is like standing on the Sun- you are dealing with cosmic forces on a universal level.Lastly, the four elements of the Star Ruby are basically given to us through the Book of the Law, which clearly deals with the abyss. Lastly lastly, Did Crowley ever release anything that didn't deal with the Quiphoth? I think you will find he only ever spoke to adepts.
Just while we are on the subject, i will explain the two basic formulas of magick. Firstly, note the LBR is a ritual which surrounds the magickan, forming a duality, it protects the magickan form 'outside forces'. This if the formula of the initiate, protecting himself from outside forces. But then there is the higher formula. you see when one has achieved enlightenment and made the crossing, the magickan realizes that the all is within himself, that reality is but a projection of his inner soul and seeks to draw everything into himself, in order to create a higher being. This is the formula of 2=0, the formula of the adept. He also realizes that this is the way to do his will, this is how to deal with the abyss. The Priest/adept seeks annihilation as that is his higher will. It is through this fact that i can tell the wheat from the chaff.
enough said,, good night(excuse the pun) all
Q
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@Q789 said
"Also, i beleive the formula is 2=0 (Lashtal), one achieves (samadhi) by uniting all four of the higher elements- an act most definitely a formula to cross the abyss."
The balanced uniting, or integrating-dissolving, of the four elements into the silence of a fifth is the traditional formula of the attainment of Tiphereth; and (at least in the A.'.A.'. scale of things) samadhi occurs long before the Abyss.
IMO you are quite correct on a formulary level - the structure of the ritual, which does reach a Binah stabilization point. (And maybe that's the only point you're making.) My only issue is with your assignment of attainment levels and your labelling (as mentioned above).
From the formulary level, the original Star Ruby version (from The Book of Lies), does both reach downward from Tiphereth into the elements, and then reach upward through the N.O.X. signs. (It's a formula for an Adept, one already stable in Tiphereth.) The later version (from MT&P) is more for beginners, inasmuch as it works its way up to Tiphereth first.
"Having said that, i understand how some may see it as similar to an elemental banishing, and he definitely put that there for a reason- perhaps to replace the LBR?"
He did specifically say that it was "a new and more elaborate version of the Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram."
"I find it difficult to describe, however, i will do my best. I feel that the four elements of the Star Ruby are like elements, tools, higher weapons of the soul of which you must master in order to control abyssmal forces.
To compare the LBR with the Star Ruby is like to say the LBR is like standing on planet earth- you are dealing with earthly forces- the Star Ruby on the other hand is like standing on the Sun- you are dealing with cosmic forces on a universal level."That's a very interesting perception with regard to the original version of the Star Ruby - which actually starts in Tiphereth and moves downward therefrom before moving upward therefrom. (But I think you're applying it to the elemental arrangement in the later version of the Star Ruby, which has a different formula. Regardless, the above couple of sentences show some good perceptions and some good thinking.)
"Lastly, the four elements of the Star Ruby are basically given to us through the Book of the Law, which clearly deals with the abyss."
"Clearly"? I think you are ignoring CCXX III:63-68. The Book of the Law speaks to all levels of the Tree. IMHO it especially carries the message of humanity's Next Step, which is the Knowledge & Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel, the attainment of Tiphereth; and yes, it has instruction for the Abyss as well, just as it has instruction for those who can't yet see conceive of even Tiphereth as more than the vaguest of premonitions.
"Lastly lastly, Did Crowley ever release anything that didn't deal with the Quiphoth? I think you will find he only ever spoke to adepts."
I would completely disagree both the implicit statement in your first sentence/question, and the explicit statement in the second. He wrote a complete program for all that reaches from the earliest stages on. And, within that program, the Star Ruby is first made formally available to those at the earliest levels, even those that have not yet stabilized into Malkuth.
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Later version of the Star Ruby? I must be getting old. i did the bulk of my Initiate work during the 80s, daily working these rituals. Internet was unavailable and books where hard to come by. Please furnish me with this later copy.
At the moment I have no magickal books available at hand. I use memory.yes perhaps you are right- he did provide a complete system. You see, often, when i experience these energies, I come to realize that the four gods of StarRuby are like the four elements of Assiah- but of the soul(for want of a better word) and that this basic formula. 2=0, is fundamental to such work.
Q
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@Q789 said
"Later version of the Star Ruby? I must be getting old. i did the bulk of my Initiate work during the 80s, daily working these rituals. Internet was unavailable and books where hard to come by. Please furnish me with this later copy. "
The later version is the copy in Magick in Theory & Practice. You have that? It uses names of Therion, Nuit, Babalon, and Hadit. The Book of Lies original version uses Chaos, Babalon, Eros, Psyche. There are also structural differences in the ritual that make them substantially different rituals.
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Aha. This is ringing a bell now. During the 80s i was mixing with the Auckland OTO. These Thelemites had most succesfully taken apart the LBR and Star Ruby. I can now vaguley remember them speaking of this change.
During my google searches ofthis subject i found some most interesting information on the two versions of this ritual. When i get a chance i will look at it. however right now i am back in the mines and doing 3 subjects at uni.In passing i would like to reiterate that just like the LBR, the four gods of Nuit, Hadit, Therion and Babalon are vitally important to dealing with forces in the abyss and beyond. This man helped us tremendously in dealing with these energies.
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What do you know. i left Auckland in about 88, never returned. there is little doubt you know some of the members i did. They spent the mid 80s in Sydney, in Cavendish st, Newtown. With the Cauldran of Ciraween lady (haah).
You would also know about the book they wrote on LBR- the author is now a lawyer in Auckland.