Questions Regarding Raising the Serpent Power:

underabloodredsky

A.Background: Alcohol & Drugs
I find the use of alcohol particularly effective in raising the Serpent Power during certain magickal workings. What I mean by this, is an increase and influx of psychic power, in terms of total energy, and in terms of decisiveness. At the same time, I know first hand the addictive power of alcohol when taken to inebriation (though not addictive in moderation) and the damage that it does to both the physical (hard on organs: liver, stomach, skin etc.) and psychic (increased moodiness and depression) body. I have compiled/devised other methods as well, such as using repetitive rhythm, dance, and talking nonsense etc. with the idea of working myself into a frenzy conducive to the goal of the magickal operation, which is usually an Invocation of some sort.
(*Note: I would not recommend these techniques to beginners, and I am not sure if I even recommend them to myself or anyone else, that is why I am making this post. However, through experience, I have been able to keep a tiny portion of my consciousness awake to alert me when I am getting close to my limits (of sanity). Also, it is not something I would do every day.)
B. Questions:

Are there other methods, including but not limited to other drugs or techniques, that are safer yet accomplish the same goal with the similar strength of effect?
What is the appropriate time in the magickal development for these types of experiments in terms of:
a. Eastern Tradition (Kundalini) b. Western tradition c. modern magick d. Thelemic magick?
Would you agree with my terminology of "Serpent Power"? Or would you call it something else?
Is it (the Serpent Power) related to or appropriate to Invocation?
I believe that it is possible to deal with some of the negative side effects because of my experience, training, skills etc. For those that I can't deal with, another option that has occurred to me is to simply choose to live with the side effects as the price of the rewards. Any comments from others who have tried?
(*Note: I am asking these questions not because I am totally ignorant to the material-I wouldn't be experimenting with this if that was the case- but to get second opinions and to hopefully benefit from others experience and wisdom. Thank you.)

Jim Eshelman

@nderabloodredsky said

"1. Are there other methods, including but not limited to other drugs or techniques, that are safer yet accomplish the same goal with the similar strength of effect?"

ReadCrowley's essay Energized Enthusiasm. (You may have already done this, since you're on the right track.) It dicusses four different methods.

Let me also point out, though, that for the non-alcoholic the problems you cite only arise out of extreme use. If alcohol or any other substance were only (or primarily) used for selective operations and at a precise dose, then you don't have any of the particular problems you mentioned. There is use, and there is abuse.

"2. What is the appropriate time in the magical development for these types of experiments in terms of:
a. Eastern Tradition (Kundalini) b. Western tradition c. modern magick d. Thelemic magick?"

I'm not sure what you're asking. I might be answering it, though, if I observe that some of this is undertaken as early as 1=10 in A.'.A.'., and tends to flourish through 1=10 and 2=9; with full kundalini rise being relied on in practices required of the 3=8. (Energized Enthusiasm is on the 1=10 syllabus.)

"3. Would you agree with my terminology of "Serpent Power"? Or would you call it something else?"

I think it's misleading, and will lead to confusing conversations. I agree that it's the same essential force, and often use the term a bit sloppily myself; but "serpent power" probably should be reserved for the full-blast phallic shaft running up the middle channel of the spine. Prior to that, perhaps simply calling it "magical force" or even "energized enthusiasm" is better.

"4. Is it (the Serpent Power) related to or appropriate to Invocation?"

No simple rule (except for the direct references in Liber NV and Liber HAD).

FWIW, I think it worthwhile to discover what you can unlock with such substances, to open you to particular states or access certain energies; but, after a while, (a) they are unncessary and (b) they tend to get in the way. Anything that puts a drag on the body will, after your sensitivities hit a certain level, drag you down and reduce what flows through you. Personally I wouldn't any longer consider combining inebrients with serious magick any more than I'd consider playing a crackling bad transistor radio at full volume on a noisy station during a ritual. (30 years ago I did selectively combine them, with more or less good results.)

"5. I believe that it is possible to deal with some of the negative side effects because of my experience, training, skills etc. For those that I can't deal with, another option that has occurred to me is to simply choose to live with the side effects as the price of the rewards. Any comments from others who have tried?
(*Note: I am asking these questions not because I am totally ignorant to the material-I wouldn't be experimenting with this if that was the case- but to get second opinions and to hopefully benefit from others experience and wisdom. Thank you.)"

You don't need to have the side effects. As mentioned above, they only come from abuse - too much, way too often, etc. Unless you are already an addict at a level where you really need to avoid all exposure, then occasional use of an appropriate dose will not harm you.

Danica

underabloodredsky, this book comes to my mind www.jrhaule.net/ipet.html when reading your description of the 'Serpent Power'; it's a longish book, but could be very useful...the autor calls this altered-excited-heightened state of mind simply Erotic Trance, and I think it's essentialy the same thing as Enthusiasm in the mentioned Crowley's essay.

underabloodredsky

Thank you for the replies and advice.

Mephisto

@nderabloodredsky said

"1. Are there other methods, including but not limited to other drugs or techniques, that are safer yet accomplish the same goal with the similar strength of effect?"

I've done no small amount of research regarding the "drug use during ritual" question. As a Mercurial being, I find it necessary to investigate every possible option before making a choice or adopting a mode of preference. After experimenting with a variety of substances in combination with ritual use, I've come to much the same conclusion as Jim: while it is very possible to combine the two practices, intoxication becomes rather irrelevant in a ritual setting. This is because: A. Any ritual, correctly performed, is itself quite intoxicating; and B. It is rather difficult to gauge the effect of intoxicants in a ritual environment. Personally, I find cannabis and psychedelics most harmonious with ritual work, but too often they fog the spectrum. Usually I'll incorporate such things as a sacrement to be taken at the end of the ritual, thus bypassing any interference with its execution.

Recently I did some reading on the Native American peyote rituals of the Southwest. You may find some worthwhile knowlege in that realm.

"

What is the appropriate time in the magical development for these types of experiments in terms of:
a. Eastern Tradition (Kundalini) b. Western tradition c. modern magick d. Thelemic magick?"

I think the general rule of thumb is "Do What Thou Wilt"

"

Would you agree with my terminology of "Serpent Power"? Or would you call it something else?"

Serpent Power, as I understand it, relates to the raising of the Kundalini energy, which is quite different from the sort of energy you describe.

"

Is it (the Serpent Power) related to or appropriate to Invocation?"

If you're referring to the particular kind of enthusiasm you are trying to develop, then yes, a reservoir of energy is a pretty good asset when it comes to ritual.

"

I believe that it is possible to deal with some of the negative side effects because of my experience, training, skills etc. For those that I can't deal with, another option that has occurred to me is to simply choose to live with the side effects as the price of the rewards. Any comments from others who have tried?"

What kind of side effect are you referring to?

underabloodredsky

@JPF said

"

Would you agree with my terminology of "Serpent Power"? Or would you call it something else?"

Serpent Power, as I understand it, relates to the raising of the Kundalini energy, which is quite different from the sort of energy you describe.

"

How would you categorise the difference? Is it one of quality or quantity?