The Shield - A Meditation
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@Bereshith said
"Also, I prefer to think of it as a shield. As a sword, it brings nothing but similar groundless attacks. "
Oh, now I see! You clever bastard
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"Liber AL vel Legis II:5. Behold! the rituals of the old time are black. Let the evil ones be cast away; let the good ones be purged by the prophet! Then shall this Knowledge go aright.
"In my experience, the above is the most salient criticism of my organization of the ideas.
In response to it, I first appeal to the following verse for comparison and submit this pair of verses as one of the seemingly contradictory pairs of statements in the Law.
"Liber AL vel Legis I:22. Now, therefore, I am known to ye by my name Nuit, and to him by a secret name which I will give him when at last he knoweth me. Since I am Infinite Space, and the Infinite Stars thereof, do ye also thus. Bind nothing! Let there be no difference made among you between any one thing & any other thing; for thereby there cometh hurt.
- But whoso availeth in this, let him be the chief of all!
"
Some verses appeal to difference, as the first quote from Chapter II; some verses appeal to unity without difference, as the second quote from Chapter I. My organization, based in the quest for psychological and spiritual unity, is specifically an attempt to achieve the unity expressed by the quote from Chapter I.
Further, I interpret the quote from Chapter II specifically in context: ". . .the* rituals*. . . are black." This specifically refers to rituals. As I stated before, my emphasis is primarily psychology - helping others to find "wholeness." I do not promote "black" rituals, and I agree that if one is working with the actual practice of ritual magic, some rituals are inferior, and in some cases, the symbolism can be detrimental to the "next step" for humanity during the current Aeon. I agree these rituals must be "cast away" or "purged" in order for humanity as a whole to progress to the next step of spiritual advancement.
However, my specific work does not emphasize ritual magic. Instead, I work with others in order to understand how their religious myths affect them, to what goals they point, and how to conceive of them as part of a larger whole. In short, it's a work of finding unity for the sake of psychological integration. As such, it relies more on the unity described in Chapter I of *Liber AL vel Legis *than the differentiated and specific injunction of Chapter II, which deals with how the knowledge and practice of magic may be most correctly used to achieve the main goal of spiritual progress for the current Aeon.
Summing up, an analogy: Saying "This is a compass" does not prevent one from saying, "We need to go East right now" in relationship to spiritual development through the ritual magic practice of the current Aeon. Nor does saying, "We need to go East right now" in terms of spiritual development through ritual magical practice, mean that the compass is wrong for delineating the three other directions in relationship to one another.
- But whoso availeth in this, let him be the chief of all!
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@Dara Allarah said
"All the the invalid permutations are due to power, if one looks at the case dispassionately.
The '>' for over is an expression of seeking power over something.
a > b expresses power setting one thing (a) over another (b), as the sustenance of power is maintained by imbalance."
The sign itself is intended to imply greater personal valuation of each in decision-making. Remembering that we are speaking of the Triangle itself, it could variously be represented as "which expression has the most power," "which expression one * loves* the most," or "which expression is valued as most wise." Interpreting it in terms of power characterizes the valuation.
However, in fairness, I do present the concept as a defense against the ravaging and inconsistent criticisms of dispersion. So, in this use, it's practical emphasis is in power to defend oneself from the insanity of perpetual value criticism.
"This is why the Emperor card is below the abyss and moreover - one of the fallen cards. "
If this is just additional information, I'll take it. If it's a reference to my presentation, I'd rather leave discussion of the Abyss off entirely. While it could be considered somewhat related to the Tree of Life in terms of more and less precise correspondences, it is not intended to reflect any of the structure of the 4 worlds nor the process of manifestation of the Life Power. It simply relates 6 (technically 7) archetypal images together in a way helpful for understanding one's relationship to one's own life energy and libido, considered the same thing under different forms.
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""With regard to the quality of this power, it must be noted that it represents sudden, violent, but impermanent activity. If it persists too long, it burns and destroys. Distinguish from the Creative Energy of Aleph and Beth: this card is below the Abyss. - A.C.""It would be the greatest mistake to associate this card with the libido, but it may appropriately illustrate a (distressing common) perverted relationship of the psyche to the libido."
I do not associate the Emperor card with the libido. I do associate the Devil card with the libido. I say, "Each of the trumps on the side have a particular relationship to how one expresses one's libido." I'm referring to the fact that the libido is simply the Life Power in a more concretely sensual expression. I think one's understanding of this fact - one's very ability to grasp this reality - specifically involves one's relationship and associations to the archetypes of the Man (conceived as sexually active or passive - Emperor or Priest) and the Woman (conceived of as sexually active or passive - Empress or Priestess).
This is presented as an organization of archetypes for self-reflection. It has little use for instruction in technical qabalah though the qabalistic correspondences are useful to the process of self-reflection. It's more like a focused Rorschach Test or a Thematic Apperception Test.
So, for instance, in your case, you might ask yourself something like, "What do I make of the fact that I have chosen to criticize this model in terms of 'power' and have chosen to speak out only against the association of the Emperor (the sexually active/'aggressive' male) to libido?"
Allow me to further clarify.
This is something presented for personal reflection.
It is based entirely in my own, personal, psychological understanding.
It has no empirical evidence to support it.
I make no claims to any authority for support of it.
I present it for your use should you deem it worthy of such.But I have no need to defend it as if it were absolutely, irrefutably true.
As I make no absolute claims, if you don't like it, ignore it, and go back to your own Will.
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"I think you may be confusing Power and Energy, or rather - you're using the two meanings of the word 'Power' as a single meaning.
"Well, I didn't illustrate the positions of the permutations of Love, Power, and Wisdom on the hexagram. I only alluded to the positions by reference to the planetary hexagram (which does have different correspondences for a different use). But the following would be and example of the use of the permutations in understanding the placement of the trumps above and could help illuminate the different forms of power you mention.
"Also - if you review what Crowley has to say in the extract I posted on the Emperor card you'll see that he characterises it as being sudden, violent activity that is capable of burning and destroying. I would see masculine sexual energy as creative rather than destructive. "
Power+Power would be at the apex of the hexagram, represented by the Fool, more expressive of "energy."
Wisdom+Power would be represented by the Emperor, more associated with "authority, aggression, self-assertion."While I do allow myself freedom to dispute Crowley, I'll instead defend my choice of the Emperor as not entirely based in his analysis of its qabalah-specific associations.
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Here's the full list:
Power+Power: The Fool
Power+Wisdom: The Emperor
Wisdom+Wisdom: The Heirophant
Wisdom+Love: The Devil
Love+Love: The Empress
Love+Power: The High PriestessSome of those are superficially counter-intuitive, I admit. But those place are particularly where I think there's room for some rather deep self-analysis.
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Yeah, if you look, I edited the post 4 or 5 times, trying to choose more precise wording.
Half an hour before the time of your post, my final choice was "authority, aggression, self-assertion" while you seem to have gotten stuck on the "forceful authority."
I'm not happy with the "authority, aggression, self-assertion" either now.
The final arbiter of associations is their agreement with the primary pair, in this case Power+Wisdom. From that pair, all associations have to be considered a result of one's personal psychology.
Perhaps that is all I should do: provide "Power+Wisdom," provide the associated trump, and just let others make verbal associations and have reactions from their own experience and understanding.
I refuse not to associate the trumps. They're solid. Let others break their minds against them.
That's the point.
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@Dara Allarah said
"
Hmmm. But if you don't define how you're using different and personal meanings assigned to the Trumps from what most people will understand by them... well - people aren't mind readers. Capish?"They aren't intended to read my mind. They are invited to expose their own mind against what I have provided if they wish.
"At the moment I still don't understand how the Emperor represents both 'authority' and the 'sexually active man', except to people that are into S & M of course....
"Really? You don't?
Interesting.
Specifically in relationship to the libido, the Emperor gives himself authority to act on his sexual impulses. The Heirophant, in relationship to the libido, does not, but gives that authority to a "higher" source.
At this point, though, I'm afraid we're getting into the differences between your psychology and my own.
This is my psychology. This my tool of service. I find it meaningful. I find it freeing. I appeal to no authority other than my own. You are not required to submit to it. I offer it to those who are looking for help with their own psychology and find the layout meaningful.
Since you are not looking for help with your own psychology and do not agree that the layout is meaningful, I don't see any point in continuing to debate the finer points with you. I claim no authority over you. You are free. Disagree and go in peace.
I describe my own island in the stars to you.
I am satisfied with my presentation and consider it complete in its essential form.
If you will now excuse me (and even if you do not), I must now go perform a lot of more mundane work.
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@Dara Allarah said
"Given that you've made personal associations to the trumps that are not generally taught or accepted then of course I won't find it meaningful unless you explain it. I doubt anyone else would either.
But now that you've finally explained it as "the Emperor giving himself authority to act on his sexual impulses" then I can see how the two idea's tie together for you and they may now make much more sense to other readers who are interested in using your layout to explore their own psychosexual makeup."
Yes. Thank you for the clarity your Geburic service has provided. You've isolated the bit that was lacking and stimulated more thoughts for me.
"Touchy, aren't you?
"Apparently so.
While I have to do other stuff, why don't you compare my hexagram to your own? We can fight more Friday, but not again until Tuesday.
**
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First, I would like to give credit to Dara Allarah for helping me to clarify my ideas by challenging them.
Second, I report that I find myself spurred on by inward forces and seek release from them in order to be freed to accomplish other tasks.
The Middle Column: (interpreted as the Life Power on a spectrum from "higher," satisfied to "lower," desirous manifestations)
Power+Power: The Fool, understood as perfect and purified Life Force. All joy and pure joy.
Question: How do I conceive of my sex drive as pure and joyful, or not?Unicursal Hexagram: The Central Self.
Question: How may I best express these energies?Wisdom+Love: The Devil, understood as the concrete, sensual manifestation of the Life Force as the sex drive itself.
Question: How do I perceive my sex drive as devilish and even evil, or not?The Emperor/Heirophant Column: (interpreted in terms of response to sex drive - ultimately projective)
Wisdom+Power: The Emperor represents that in us which chooses to submit the sex drive to internal authority.
Question: Why do I call it good/bad to give myself authority to express my own sexual drives?Wisdom+Wisdom: The Heirophant represents that in us which chooses to submit the sex drive to external authority.
Question: Why do I call it good/bad to give away authority to express my own sexual drives?High Priestess/Empress Column: (interpreted in terms of response to sex drive, ultimately receptive)
Power+Love: The High Priestess represents that in us which resists the sex drives of others.
Question: Why do I call it good/bad to resist the sex drives of others?Love+Love: The Empress represents that in us which receives the sex drives of others.
Question: Why do I call it good/bad to receive the sex drive of others?
This is my best current expression of my ideas. It's open for tweaking, but I think this gives the general idea.
Further, if one is able to make the sex drive an abstraction, then this theory may be applied to each of the following:
Spiritual Intercourse
Intellectual Intercourse
Physical Intercourse -
The following is an attempt to clarify the above provided meditation layout.
Previously, the explanation has been worded in terms of libido; however, since I am attempting to make the application to all forms of intercourse (physical, intellectual, and spiritual), I'll stop using the word "libido" and begin using simply "Life Force."
The arrangement given attempts to display the interactions of archetypal figures in terms of their relationship to the Life Force.
Fool/Devil Central Column:
Power+Power: The Fool, understood as the Life Force itself on the higher end of the spectrum. In this form it represents the Life Force in no particular manifestation. The Fool represents this pure Life Power as all joy and pure joy. As Power+Power it exists unmanifested.
Unicursal Hexagram: The Central Self. The Child. In this form, it represents the aspect of the Life Force which decides between and learns from all the others.
Wisdom+Love: The Devil, understood as the Life Force itself on the lower end of the spectrum. In this form it represents the manifested Life Force. The Devil represents concrete manifestations of the Life Force as the frequently misunderstood and unappreciated force of change and bears the projections of others of such forces and change as bad. As Wisdom+Love it exists as the Life Power in an almost technological sense. "This works. This continues Life; therefore, this is what exists, like it or not."
High Priestess/Heirophant Diagonal:
Wisdom+Wisdom: The Heirophant represents *the impulse to restrain the projection of one's Life Force. *
---As the unmixed combination of Wisdom+Wisdom, he undersands that there are always consequences to the projection of the Life Force, and the Heirophant sincerely attempts to understand all of the processes and consequences that are embodied by the possible combinations of Love+Power.Love+Power: The High Priestess represents the impulse to restrain the activation of one's Life Force.
---As the embodiment of Love and Power, she represents all of the possible combinations of the two. She represents the unactivated potential of the Life Force. The Power she contains is restrained for the sake of Love and looks for guidance from Wisdom+Wisdom.The Emperor/Empress Diagonal:
Wisdom+Power: The Emperor represents the impulse to allow the projection one's Life Force.
---Representing Wisdom and Power combined, he feels he understands the consequences of projecting the Life Force and gives himself authority to do so. He finds his perfectly satisfied expression in Love+Love.Love+Love: The Empress represents the* impulse to allow the activation of one's Life Force.*
---As the unmixed combination of Love+Love, she accepts the projections of the Life Force from Love+Wisdom and allows the consequences of the combination to create its results.
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(see previous page for most recent additions)
I present the above ideas here because I currently have no other outlet for expressing it to others who might be able to comprehend, appreciate, and apply it. For whatever internal reasons, the impulse to express it has been very great, and I only hope that you will bear with the expression of these things here.
I can be an ass of a man, or a bear of a man, as you prefer. I accept that charge. But I do hope that you have been given some insight into my guiding motivations.
At this point in my life, I do hope to create something of value to leave for others, regardless of the judgments on my past insanities and personal conflicts.
Take up these ideas for yourself, or leave them, as you prefer. But as for myself, I consider them the result of years of study and something that I will further develop in the future in order to help others understand the conflicting impulses of the archetypes within themselves so that they may be freed from any bondage impressed upon them by forced submission to the mythologies and formal doctrines of their religions or otherwise deeply implanted values.
To Wholeness.
To Life, Light, Love, and Liberty!
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The archetype attempts to represent the* impulse *to restrain it. I present it as one of the impulses in our psychological make-up. It makes no statement on the ultimate possibility, and the impossibility that you seem to suggest is one of the things people struggle with in their relationship to this archetype.
Christianity handles it through forgiveness. Thelema handles it through affirmation. or... in some words like that...
Right now, I'm thinking about keeping the permutations of Wisdom, Love, and Power where they are but swapping some of the trumps.
Heirophant as Power+Love, looking for guidance from Wisdom, to which he submits himself.
High Priestess as Wisdom+Wisdom, pure potential awaiting the impulse from Power+Love. -
It would be more correct to say I've found a more logical way of associating the trumps. It's still a matter of association, but hopefully it will make more sense.
Counter-clockwise around the hexagram:
Power+Power: The Fool
Power+Wisdom: The Heirophant
Wisdom+Wisdom: The High Priestess
Wisdom+Love: The Devil
Love+Love: The Empress
Love+Power: The Emperor
More description later. Job and stuff....
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@Dara Allarah said
"
@Bereshith said
"Lol... For 30 guilt-ridden years.Yeah. I found a more logical, less associational placement of the trumps.
I'll post it after lunch."
You're not even 40 yet Bear.
So... if we see the normal range of when men loose their Virginity as between 17 (average) to 23 (at the high end of the scale f'normal'), then isn't it more like 5 or 6 guilt ridden years? Maybe 8 or 9? But not 30. Most of those years you were just a child. It's best not to exagerrate these kind of facts in your mind. Also - it's not unusual for men with your neurotype to engage in sex at an older age. It's more the norm than less - usually down to some type of sensory hypersensitivity."Actually, if we're counting masturbation, then I'll go with 33-11= about 22 years before I stopped even feeling guilty.
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It's really strange, you know. That EUREKA feeling and what we'll do to defend it.
Aha! I've found it!
but!
grrr. okay.
[work, work, work]
etc...1% inspiration - 99% persperation and all that....
I'll try to write it all up in a respectable fashion sometime... dang... I have a literature review to do this weekend for class... um... sometime next week.
The problem is that Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas don't translate well into English, and I was working from the English.
Here's the foundation, though, for anyone actually interested (lol):
Sattva/Sattva: The Fool: Wisdom/Wisdom
Sattva/Rajas: The Heirophant: Wisdom/Power
Rajas/Rajas: The Emperor: Power/Power
Rajas/Tamas: The Devil: Power/Love
Tamas/Tamas: The High Priestess: Love/Love
Tamas/Sattva: The Empress: Love/WisdomIt's still doesn't achieve a perfect association with the trumps, but for my purposes, it should work quite well for helping people think about their relationships to psychosexual archetypes (made up terminology, I think), especially as they relate to religious myths. I guess we'll see as I try to hammer it out.
Peace.