College of Thelema: Thelemic Education

Cool. At this point for me, it is even helpful to learn that it is appropriate to drill down to that level of personalization, etc.

Funnily enough, the initial interpretation of the person for whom the spread was done was much like your first suggestion -- any potential false beliefs were washed away by purity and clarity. Moreover, we both felt good when we saw the card come up. It seemed like our intitution sent positive signals regarding the card, even if it took awhile to articulate exactly how the square peg of the card fit into the round hole of the sector.

Upon further reflection, the second possible interpretation that you mentioned occured to me as well -- though my take was not quite as "crisp" as the manner in which you expressed it.

I am inclined to go with our initial reaction for many reasons. But the two potential interpretations are so at odds and this card may provide an important bit of insight. I want to drill down on it more.

You say "depending on lots of things." Are there any particularly important things to consider in pondering this little mystery?

Thanks again!

I feared as much.

Thank you for the response in any event....

Hello.

How would one interpret XVII "The Star" when drawn into as Card 5 (i.e., dependencies, faulty beliefs) in the Mandala Spread?

For clarity, the spread that I used is shown in the link below:

www.angelpaths.com/spreads5.html

Card 1 was the Queen of Disks and Card 7 was the Ten of Swords.

Thank you!

That was my exact point...I think that the OP is overthinking the issue rather than relying on instinct (not to mention experience).

thepuck,

FWIW, I am mixed dominant in much the same way as you -- I write, cook, brush my teeth, and otherwise use my right hand for fine motor skills. I play sports and naturally reach, lift, etc. with my left.

The first time I tried the LBRP I intitutively started using my right hand and have stuck with that since.

I am hardly experienced, much less talented, with regards to magick. But the results have truly exceeded any expectation that I had...and I have a feeling that it is the tip of the iceberg.

Based on this, my humble advice would be to dive right in and see what hand takes over.

As a beginner myself, I have found the most workable times are:

• in the morning, after exercise but before getting ready to go to work.

• right after work, perhaps after having a quick snack if I am ravenous.

@Jim Eshelman said

"In a prepared space, with yourself prepared as well, and with your intention well-defined, perform the Lesser Banishing (or, if you're stable in that ritual and are ready for the higher frequency energy, use the Invoking) Pentagram ritual. Then sit in the middle of your circle and bring your desired consequence to mind. Make it visual where you can. Get very clear on it. Then enter a meditative state and simply relax into concentrating upon this result and "sinking into it" like a hot bath. With successive performances, gradually feel it take root in the cells of your body and everything feel comfortable about it. When through, rise and perform the Banishing to close.

Perform this at the same time in the same place for a fixed number of days (such as a week), or until you feel the result described."

I have done this, using LIRP, for a few days. You weren't kidding when you say "higher frequency energy." The sensation afterward is extremely energizing...as opposed to LBRP, which generally produces a feeling of focused calm - at least for me.

I've felt my mouth, down my throat, go numb twice afterward, which never happens outside the dentist.

Today, a few hours after practice, I experienced sharp sensations, almost like shocks, in my groin/pelvis. They lasted for 15 minutes or so - stopping just when I started to get a little alarmed. Again, never really felt anything like it.

Is this more typical sorts of stuff or do you (all) think I should revert back to LBRP? I hear your point regarding using mundane explainations, but want to err on the side of caution when it comes to things like physical sensations.

In any event, I find the differences in effects of the rituals this absolutely stunning. How can the small difference between the the two rituals cause such different effects?

"You can use it to do this - that is, to fortify other (intentional, metaphysical, or conventionally psychological) methods. Intention and dedication are important. But, by itself, the LBRP is going to stir up the basic energy level of the psyche, and thus amplify all existing patterns. Without decision, commitment, and dedication toward a particular goal, it can, therefore, do the opposite of what you ask. "

That must be why things got MUCH worse for me before they started getting better.

How would one best link one's LBRP practice to the decision, commitment, and intent to improve one's well-being, breaking bad patterns, and striving for authenticity?

Would this link be best realized as part of a ritual working? Suspecting so, what techniques would you recommend for a beginner? I have only tried sigils and, only very recently, MPR. I also practice Ashtanga yoga regularly.

I realize that I may have asked a series of questions that could be answered in volumes, so even a point in the right direction would be appreciated.

Thank you again.

Thank you for the rapid reply...I certainly wouldn't expect that you interrupt your work to respond to me. In any event, my questions:

1. For someone beginning daily practice of the LBRP and continuing for ~6 months, are the following experiences typical?

• emotions ...good and bad..have become much more intense.
• acting more assertive.
• minor "supernatural" phenomena starting to occur, such as objects disappearing, switching places, or breaking suddenly.
• vivid dreams.
• electrical devices misbehaving, as you have said can occur with the MPR.

2. On a broader note, are there any specific ways to note that a particular occurance relates to magickal practice or is making this determination a matter of experience? For me, certain experiences have been unmistakably related to magick, while others...I am not so sure.

3. Would the LBRP typically break bad mental habits or minor phobias? If not, are there other practices that might?

4. The Angels can be difficult to consistently visualize clearly. Raphael is the easiest to visualize -- and sometimes comes through extremely clearly. Uriel is BY FAR the most elusive. Is this because their appearance is a bit more of a "two way street" (i.e., they appear when you call AND they wish), a matter of developing visualization skills, a reflection of my psychology, or could it be any of these things?

Thank you again.

*[My post seems too long and individual-specific for the general LBRP thread, but please move if appropriate.] *

Hello.

I have lurked on this site for some time, having been drawn back towards my Path, so to speak, during a very difficult period in my personal life. I am seeking a little peace, insight, and authenticity, rather than massive "fireworks" and the like. For the past five months, I have done LBRP daily as part of a larger plan towards these things.

Many of the threads here have been extremely helpful to me. I am posting with a recounting of certain experiences that seem particularly meaningful to, hopefully, give a little back. I've also got a few questions.

Notes from my journal:

• Generally speaking, my emotions ...good and bad..have become much more intense and vivid. I have also noticed myself being much more assertive and confident.

• Within a week of starting practice, a very difficult, draining relationship with a work colleague from whom I could not extricate myself for "political" reasons suddenly -- very suddenly -- ended. It was quite startling, as I had been trying to end the relationship for years prior.

• After approximately two weeks, the longstanding weight of an intense frustration and depression that I was suffering finally broke due to a combination of mood and circumstance. Though there are certainly good and bad days, I no longer feel constantly "crushed" as I once did.

• After approximately three weeks, a number of strange, otherwise inexplicable things, started happening and have continued. Nothing overwhelming, but certainly strange enough to be notable. For example, two sets of credit cards switched places in my pocket and my wife's purse without explanation. A few things have suddenly broke or gone missing. My assistant plucked a letter out of the mail as it was leaving just as I was finishing a phone call (that she could not hear) in which I learned that the letter would have been highly detrimental had it been sent. She had no reason to check the letter and could not explain why she did this.

• After six weeks, I had an extremely vivid dream featuring a demon threatening me and then being surrounded by pillar after pillar of black bricks. The pillars glowed with (what looked like) Hebrew letters in flaming red font. (Note that I have little exposure to Hebrew outside of Magick.)

• Perhaps three weeks ago, I did the ritual after an anger and sorrow-inducing series of conversations. Raphael appeared in an incredibly vivid manner and very clearly offered comfort and encouragement. I have to admit that I never expected anything like that to happen. Ever. It was quite unmistakable and remarkable. Kind of like a dream...but different.

• Two weeks ago, a number of important electronic devices failed or started misbehaving. I wouldn't have mentioned or noticed this but for the thread on the MPR in this forum regarding similar occurrences.

My questions:

-Are these experiences typical? I realize that one's "path" is a highly personal experience. But there must be some commonalities, right?

-Would the LBRP typically work break bad mental habits or phobias? If not, are there other practices that might?

• I have no problem doing the visualization of the KC, hexagram, and pentagrams. The Angels seem to be a bit more difficult to consistently visualize clearly. Raphael is the easiest to visualize/most willing to appear, with Michael following close behind. Uriel is BY FAR the most elusive. Is this because their appearance is a bit more of a "two way street" (i.e., they appear when you call AND they wish).

Anyway, that is it! Thoughts on these questions or general comments/encouragement/criticism/etc. are most appreciated.