College of Thelema: Thelemic Education

In certain instances, names of spirits or other entities are given with the same letter (most often vowel sounds) repeated many times in succession. What is the correct way to pronounce such terms as given in these examples? And what language is this type of linguistic tendency most commonly found in? (Enochian, Egyptian, Coptic?)

"AAAŌŌŌZŌRAZAZZZAIEŌZAZAEEEIIIZAIEŌZŌAKHŌ
EOOOYTHŌEZAOZAEZĒĒĒZZĒĒZAOZAKHŌZAĒKHEYEIT
YXAALETHYKH - This is the Name which you must speak in
the interior world." —Jesus Christ

ע : "Oaoaaaoooع -i℥" —from The Genii of the 22 Scales of the Serpent (Liber CCXXXI)

Thanks Jim, that was quite informative!

@Jim Eshelman said

"Those are two totally different words. The issue comes up not in the Pentagram Ritual, but in terms of Cholem Yesodoth, "brakers of the foundations," one of the titles of Malkuth in Assiah."

I find this quite interesting. Regardie, in The Golden Dawn, attributes Malkuth in Assiah to "OVLM YSVDVTh", and also adds in a footnote:

"The Golden Dawn, 6th Ed. ; Second Knowledge Lecture, pg. 63:
This is sometimes rendered Cholem Yesodoth, and translated "The Breakers of Foundations." I'm pretty sure that this is a mistake no doubt due to a printer's error in reproducing "Ch" in place of "Gh," the latter being intendede for "Ayin," according to some older systems of transliteration."

However, your attribution is corroborated by Liber 777, and given under "Table VI. The Heavens of Assiah" as ChLM YSVDVTh. Are you aware of any texts that discuss this disctinction in attribution?

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law,

I have been studying the structure and substance of the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram in an effort to illuminate some of the deeper symbolism contained, which of course has led me to a study of the Gematria of the terms in the Qabalistic Cross, as well as the God-Names.

I have found a stumbling-block, however, at the proper spelling of the term "Le-Olahm". Historically there has been some confusion on this matter as it has been rendered incorrectly as "Cholem", derived I assume from the pronunciation of A'ain as "Gh". The Golden Dawn gives the translation as "For ever", while the more accurate A.'.A.'. version gives "To the ages."

The only Hebrew spelling I have found is OVLM (A'ai+Vau+Lamed+Mem = 146), given in Sepher Sephiroth sub figura D and defined as "The world; an adult", as in the phrase "Olahm Yesodoth" (The World of Foundations), given with that same spelling in the Golden Dawn, and in this context OVLM seems fitting as the correct spelling.

However, in my mind there is a discrepancy when given as "Le-Olahm" being "To the ages" in the RItual. Is anyone aware of an alternate spelling which fits the given definition more appropriately?

As always any insight is greatly appreciated!
{:: Embryon De L'Abîme ::}

I stand corrected, Jim, my use of the term divination is inappropriate.

I suppose my real interest then is use of the Tarot outside of that. Your description of thematic apperception exam seems very limited and more based on a stream-of-consciousness exercise, which theoretically could be performed with any symbol (or anything really). My purpose in this whole topic is the notion of devising a method of using the cards in association with each other, with intent to greater understand the Universe, existence, etc., as opposed to simply answering questions, mundane or otherwise.

Are you familiar with any such methods?
Can you forsee any issue with developing one on my own (based on the function of Tarot itself, or the influence of such Elementals as you have spoken, etc.)?

Funny, I was just having a conversation about this today, so i figure I'll share my thoughts.

In my experience, there is a fundamental mindset necessary for use of psychoactives in any spiritually-based endeavor, and this relates to what Jim and Elkeid have so appropriately brought up:

The influence of the substance must be viewed in relative terms, and all insight gained analyzed as a "difference from zero" for lack of a better phrase. As an explanatory example, my experiences with psylocibin have led me to understand it as having a Watery nature, the most obvious representation of this is an increased receptivity to all forms of energy. With that in mind, I have enabled myself to explore the functions of my mind WITHIN THE BASIS of that form of energy (Water), the efficacy of such being markedly improved by the use of the fungae. One must understand the nature of what is being dealt with, and then use this knowledge to create the dependent variable in one's little psycho-spiritual experiment.

Too often as a younger experimenter did I mistake my revelations to be based in Absolution, instead of viewing them in this more scientific perspective.

In essence, I believe that use of psychoactives must constantly be subjected to a variety of experiments in order to remain effective, as their effects are tied to their nature and therefore can only penetrate one mystery so far.

Tarot has proven to be a particularly intriguing subject to me, and I recently managed to pick up a Thoth deck at a local metaphysical shop.

I have studied many of the various methods of using the cards for divination, but have yet to find any that particularly "inspire" me. My approach towards these matters tends to be very "DO-IT-ONESELF", and I try and avoid using interpretations of others when investigating particularly the meanings of Tarot cards (NOT to say I immediately denounce the works of others).

I simply would like to hear some input from others who are no doubt more experienced than myself with Tarot regarding the development of my own style and technique of Tarot divination. I am curious as to what basis lies behind the methods already employed, and whether my own would neglect some aspect of this which is necessary to render the operation effectual.

As such a wondrous illustration of the relationships of universal existence, I fail to understand why so many methods of use are so based on SPEAKING; that is, asking a question, seeking some answer or advice. My own opinion is that one could obtain much insight from taking a more LISTENING-based approach; allowing the forces themselves to present themselves and direct the aspirant as is seen fit.

Any guidance/input is always appreciated!

@RifRaf said

"I have always been somewhat under the impression that Spirit is more "superior" than Intelligence, as it seems to be with Humans."

According to my studies, this is really a matter of context. Consider Elemental Spirits, which perform their function regardless of more "complex" and human intricacies. It would seem this would apply to Planetary forces as well, where the Intelligence represents a guiding and adaptable entity, and the Spirit is simply bound to its nature and "duty". I think this is what Regardie is referencing when he claims use of solely the Spirit to be dangerous unless accompanied by the Intelligence, especially for students, as there is no reconciling and "Intelligent" force to intervene in the rather blind will of the Spirit.

My aim specifically is to formulate a talisman to aid in effectively the formulation of mind as "lead". So theoretically the Spirit aspect of Saturn would be more conducive to this, as it is, as you term, denser and therefore closer to a material character?

Agape all,

I have begun dabbling in decrypting the Kamea, and understanding sigils and talismans for use as aids to meditation, and naturally I have been led to studying the planetary attributes.

What authors deal with the subject of the natures of planetary Intelligences vs. Spirits most comprehensively?

How have you been led to interpret the differences thereof?

Any elucidation is always appreciated!

Hm. Well that does answer a certain aspect of my question.

For all his wondrous ingenuity, however, Crowley was (in my own slightly haughty opinion ) a bit arrogant and close-minded in [some of] his views. I suppose this may be approaching heresy to claim on a Thelemic board, but if there is one thing my own approach and studies in the occult have reaped me, its the notion of analogue ambiguity, and nothing can be quite so black-and-white as to be deemed "incorrect".

Who knows, those pesky Adepts of old were known to spew a load of plainly wrong shit into public hands in their efforts of secrecy; I guess its a question of just how ancient and attribution it really is. I suppose only comparative meditation will yield an acceptable answer to me, and I do appreciate your reference.

Everyone is no doubt familiar with the phrase "...but Tzaddi is not The Star." This obviously refers to the superimposing of the Tarot on the Tree of Life, but how does this affect the astrological attributions of those Paths?

777 attributes Aries+Hé; Aquarius+Tzaddi
Thoth Tarot attributes Aquarius+Hé(The Star); Aries+Tzaddi(The Emperor)

Is there a differentiation between Tarot vs. general astrological correspondences? Or did the Tarot expose an error in previous astrological attributions?

Much appreciated.

As I suspected I will find my resolution in further experimentation with various postures.

I must say I am definitely of the belief that physical pain can be a useful tool when applied to meditation, should one seek to invoke the appropriate god-forms.

I have begun to practice Asana, and I wonder if anyone more experienced in the matter could inform me as to what normal symptoms of the practice are, as I want to be sure the physical discomfort I experience will not have any long term detrimental effects on the health of my muscles or joints.

Many of the postures I use are in a sort of kneeling bow form, and typically preceding any actual pain I lose sensation in my legs and feet, followed by a sort of "coldness." I would simply like to be sure whether or not this is a natural aspect of this practice so as to aid relaxation and allow me to carry out the posture to the fullest extent without worry.

Thanks,
IPISISIP