tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88047481108413309252024-03-13T09:57:35.294+00:00Henosis DecanusMusings from a Monadic MindFrater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-61744601830913525442012-01-25T17:39:00.000+00:002012-01-25T17:39:38.808+00:00Pre-order Kerubim Press Books<span style="text-align: justify;">Check out the latest press release from Kerubim Press. Golden Dawn and Enochian - what more could you want?</span><br />
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<b>Pre-order Now!</b><br />
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<b>Limited Hardback Editions available for pre-order.</b><br />
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The Kerubim Press launch titles, <i>King Over The Water</i> by Nick Farrell and <i>Enochian Magic In Theory</i> by Dean F. Wilson, are now available for pre-order. Both books are set for a late February launch, which is only weeks away, and there are only 100 copies of the Limited Hardback Edition of each title. All 100 copies will be signed and numbered by the author, and each copy will come with a Kerubim Press bookmark that is sure to be the envy of whatever it is you're currently using as a bookmark. If that wasn't enough, the Limited Hardback Editions also feature a different cover design compared to their paperback cousins, making them a true collector's item.</div>
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Paperback editions will be available from online retailers like Amazon in late February. Ebook versions will also be available within the coming months.</div>
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<b>KING OVER THE WATER</b></div>
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<i>King Over The Water</i> is Nick Farrell's controversial prequel-come-sequel to <i>Mathers' Last Secret</i>, the exposé on Samuel Mathers from Golden Dawn fame. This book is set to rock the magical work just as much as its predecessor, with a thorough look at the ousted King of the Golden Dawn and how things went in his post-rebellion group, the Alpha et Omega. There are also a number of previously unpublished original GD and AO documents, such as the original Z documents and the Book of the Tomb, the secret and much coveted text that was required for making a Vault of the Adepts.</div>
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<b>ENOCHIAN MAGIC IN THEORY</b></div>
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<i>Enochian Magic In Theory</i> is Dean F. Wilson's long-awaited tome on the theoretical elements of the powerful Enochian system of magic. The book provides an indepth look at the history of the system and answers many of the questions about the puzzles left behind by Dee and Kelley. Using a unique mix of scholarly critique and personal insight, Wilson provides a thorough understanding of a system that has beguiled many. As a magician who has worked extensively with Enochian magic for many years, Wilson prepares the foundations required for using the system - the necessary steps before delving into the practical guidelines of <i>Enochian Magic In Practice</i>, the sequel expected later this year.</div>
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Remember that there are only 100 copies of these Limited Hardback Editions. Make sure to pre-order your copy today to avoid disappointing both yourself and your bookshelf.</div>
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KERUBIM PRESSFrater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-91754199433728707492011-09-21T21:35:00.002+01:002011-09-21T21:36:18.197+01:00Announcing Kerubim Press<div style="text-align: justify;">
DUBLIN, IRELAND – Kerubim Press, independent publisher of occult books, officially announces its existence today, giving the esoteric community a valuable array of texts on topics ranging from ceremonial magic to paganism.</div>
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Kerubim Press authors deliver thoroughly researched topics presented in an accessible, yet scholarly format and/or easy to follow guidelines for practical magical work.</div>
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Books are published in both a limited hardcover edition of 100 signed and numbered copies, standard paperbacks for a more affordable budget, and multiple ebook formats for the revolutionary digital book age, which Kerubim Press plans to be major mover in.</div>
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The first two books in Kerubim Press' lineup are Nick Farrell's <em>King Over The Water</em> and Dean F. Wilson's <em>Enochian Magic In Theory</em>, both scheduled for release in February 2012. Pre-orders for the special limited edition of each will be available before release. Pricing has yet to be decided.</div>
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Over the years many myths have built up about one of the founders of the Golden Dawn, Samuel L. MacGregor Mathers. Many of these have been created by those who wish to damn the Golden Dawn and its system of magic or by those who want to naively believe a bogus magical story about the Order and its founders.</div>
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In <em>King Over The Water</em>, Golden Dawn magician Nick Farrell paints a picture of the founders of the Golden Dawn becoming out of their depth as the Order began to create magicians. Rather than painting Mathers as an eccentric genius, Farrell sees him as an autocratic fantasist. He sees Mathers struggling to keep up as his students rapidly became better than him at the system he created, and shows how he was unable to raise his game to help the Order develop further.</div>
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In what will be a portrait of the problems that could befall any esoteric leader, Farrell (author of <em>Gathering The Magic</em>, a textbook on magical group dynamics) reveals how Mathers' later rituals were an attempt to remove the magic from the system he created so that he could milk it for money.</div>
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Included will be previously unpublished papers from Mathers' own version of the Golden Dawn, the Alpha et Omega, including the unexpurgated version of the Tarot manuscript, the full version of the Book of the Tomb (a key document for creating a Vault of the Adepts), the original method for the consecration of the sword, and much more.</div>
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<em>King Over The Water</em> is the prequel to Farrell's groundbreaking exposé on the Alpha et Omega, <em>Mathers' Last Secret</em> (2011, Rosicrucian Order of the Golden Dawn), and provides another look into the mind of a magician that helped develop the magic we use today.</div>
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The first of Dean F. Wilson’s eagerly awaited Enochian Magic series, detailing John Dee and Edward Kelley’s magical system in extraordinary detail, from the Heptarchic system to Enochian proper.</div>
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Wilson provides a unique mix of thorough research with his own experience and understanding from using the system for many years, resulting in a book that is both scholarly and insightful.</div>
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He explores the history behind the famous magician and seer, shows how the system was delivered, explains why it is such a powerful magical tool, and answers many of the questions that people have asked about the nature of the angelic beings.</div>
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Gain an indepth knowledge of Enochian magic. Learn how to derive the names of angels from the various tablets. Discover the purpose of the tools. Ponder the mysteries of the more obscure parts of the system, with Wilson’s suggestions for what they might mean.</div>
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This tome provides a comprehensive overview of the Enochian system for both scholars and magicians, with excerpts from Dee's diaries and insights from a number of Enochian magicians over the last century.<br />
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<em>Enochian Magic In Theory</em> is the first of a two part series on Dee's angelic system, with <em>Enochian Magic In Practice</em> providing the practical instructions for how to put the magic into use. The latter is scheduled for a late 2012 release.</div>
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Like the Kerubim of Ezekiel, Kerubim Press aims to look in all directions to provide one of the most comprehensive selections of occult books on the market, while remaining committed to quality in everything it publishes.</div>
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Spread the word about Kerubim Press by telling your friends and colleagues.</div>
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Bookmark Kerubim Press' website:<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://www.KerubimPress.com" href="http://www.kerubimpress.com/" target="_blank">http://www.KerubimPress.com</a></div>
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Like Kerubim Press on Facebook:<br />
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Follow Kerubim Press on Twitter:<br />
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Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-62072590921239880852011-08-08T13:52:00.001+01:002011-08-08T13:53:04.355+01:00The Gnostic #3<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1906834040/"><img src="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s22/yechidah/thegnostic3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The third issue of <i>The Gnostic: A Journal of Gnosticism, Western Esotericism and Spirituality</i>. Featuring a cover by C.G. Jung, Lance Owens on Jung's Red Book. Interviews with David Tibet of Current 93, Jacob Needleman and Zohar expert Daniel C. Matt. Articles on Gnostic anime, Robert Graves, Gnostic texts, the Gospel of Luke, William Blake, deja vu, coincidence, a ten page comic, reviews and much more.</div>Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-37991590833541856522010-01-17T20:12:00.000+00:002010-01-17T20:13:20.492+00:00Poetry: A Pale AfterthoughtIn these mingled moments when the earth grows cold,<br />When all of us yet living watch catastrophe unfold,<br />There is a lonely glimmer buried deep beneath the rubble<br />Of our colder hearts that led us to this trouble.<br />If only we had dared to cast our greedy glances<br />Upon the poorest nations who do not get our second chances<br />To live a life worth living on this angered earth,<br />This little ball of rubble that is our place of birth,<br />Then maybe, for a moment, we would make a change,<br />A bargain well worth making, a life for death exchange,<br />A little bit of offering, a helping hand in need<br />Instead of giving only to our hungry friend called greed.<br />Then maybe we could give to them when they're still alive<br />Instead of this pale afterthought to help a few survive.<br />I suppose it clears our conscience, makes us feel real good<br />That our aid has reached these people now... instead of when it should.Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-78865487469333358102010-01-17T20:11:00.000+00:002010-01-17T20:14:30.227+00:00Healing for Haiti<div style="text-align: justify;">I join with many other mystics and magicians in offering my prayers and magical energies to Haiti, to both the living, the dead, and the dying. Please join your fellow Fratres and Sorores in offering your time, money, magic, or anything you can to aid the people of Haiti and the aidworkers who are struggling to deliver this aid. Monetary donations can be made to a number of organisations, including the <a href="http://www.redcross.ie/">Irish Red Cross</a>.<br /><br />Let us also take time to remove the veil of ignorance and spend some time and money on preventing such disasters occuring. There are other poor countries around the world who are prone to natural disaster, only they do not have the resources to prevent buildings collapsing, etc. This is the man-made disaster that made things worse.</div>Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-43366197573659325712009-11-28T15:48:00.001+00:002009-11-28T15:51:25.509+00:00The Gnostic #2<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1906834059/thegospeoftho-20"><img src="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs072.snc3/13940_181663335877_582395877_3042538_3909514_n.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />The second issue of The Gnostic: A Journal of Gnosticism, Western Esotericism and Spirituality. Featuring an interview with Colin Wilson and an indepth examination of his ideas on the occult. An interview with Tessa Dick, widow of Philip K Dick, plus an excerpt from her memoir and Anthony Peake's analysis of Dick's precognitive abilities. An interview with noted scholar April DeConick on the Gospel of John. The Gnosticism of the TV series The Prisoner. Kimetikos, Jeremy Puma's Gnostic practice. Tony Blake's meetings with remarkable people including J.G. Bennett, David Bohm and Idries Shah. Articles on asceticism, the symbolism of the Bible, Resurrection, Schrodinger's Gun, a short story by Andrew Phillip Smith. Extensive book reviews, original art and more.<br /></div><br />Published Autumn 2009 by Bardic Press. Perfectbound softcover, 186 pages, ISBN 978-1906834029, $14, £9 €10. See http://www.the-gnostic.com<br /><br /><span>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1</span>906834059/thegospeoftho-20Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-25233764482460428792009-06-19T19:49:00.004+01:002009-06-19T20:14:12.828+01:00The Gospel & the Zodiac<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://eighthsermon.blogspot.com/">Scott Rassbach</a> of the <a href="http://www.johannite.org">AJC</a> gave a lecture on <span style="font-style: italic;">the Gospel and the Zodiac</span> (based on the Unitarian minister Bill Darlison's book of the same name) as part of the AJC's Conclave 2009. A video of this lecture has been uploaded to Youtube, which you can watch in four parts below:<br /></div><br /><center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IyFc-mHvMoE&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IyFc-mHvMoE&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eiej2QGYS5M&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eiej2QGYS5M&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zObMemRgR1M&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zObMemRgR1M&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/enPxxCFXkCQ&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/enPxxCFXkCQ&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br /><br />Another video of an interview with Bill Darlison himself (note that this interview was done before the book's release, and thus it is now widely available for purchase).<br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UmzpHvwOtn4&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UmzpHvwOtn4&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br /><br />Finally, check out the book itself (my review of which should be in #2 of <span style="font-style: italic;">The Gnostic</span>):<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Zodiac-Secret-Truth-about/dp/1590200373/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245438263&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><img src="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s22/yechidah/gospelthezodiac.jpg" border="0" /></a></center><br /></div>Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-4061707264388347842009-04-22T18:10:00.004+01:002009-04-22T18:19:41.627+01:00Whoever is Free is a Slave...<div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote>"Whoever knows the truth is free, and a free person does not sin, for 'one who sins is a slave of sin....' Those who do not allow themselves to sin the world calls free. They do not allow themselves to sin, and the knowledge of the truth lifts them up - that is, it makes them free and superior to all. But 'love builds up'. Whoever is free through knowledge is a slave because of love for those who do not yet have freedom of gnosis. Gnosis enables them to be free."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">- Gospel of Philip (via Jeremy Puma's column in <span style="font-style: italic;">The Gnostic #1</span>)</div></blockquote></div>Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-34236984371957620652009-04-20T13:05:00.004+01:002009-04-20T13:16:28.124+01:00The Gnostic #1 Now AvailableFrom <a href="http://www.bardic-press.com/philip/philipblog.htm">Andrew Phillip Smith's blog</a>:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1906834024/thegospeoftho-20"><img src="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s22/yechidah/thegnostic1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;">"The Gnostic #1 is finally available.<br /></div><br />It includes an interview with John Turner, an expert on Sethian Gnosticism, a new translation of the Gospel of Judas, a whirlwind tour of the alternative Judas, and a note on translational issues in the Gospel of Thomas. Gnostic-influenced writers are featured heavily with a long interview with Alan Moore, and an excerpt from a prose work inspired by William Blake, and articles on William Burroughs and Philip K. Dick. The more adventurous scholarly articles include Will Parker’s examination of the magical worldview, a look at the figure of Judas outside of the New Testament, and an examination of Paul’s attitude to Moses. Jeremy Puma’s regular column looks at the pivotal topic of Gnosis itself. Plus reviews of more than a dozen books. Oh, and an excerpt from Freke and Gandy's Gospel of the Second Coming. And more.<br /><br />Scott Finch, John Coulthart and Eddie Campbell provide visuals.<br /><br />The easiest way to purchase it is through Amazon:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1906834024/thegospeoftho-20" class="postlink">http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1906834024/thegospeoftho-20</a><br /><br />It's also available through amazon.co.uk, most other online bookstores and eventually in selected brick-and-mortar bookstores. Comp copies are on their way to contributors.<br /><br />Thanks to you all for your encouragement and help."<br /></div>Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-80557900444324066382009-02-18T21:46:00.002+00:002009-02-18T21:49:25.025+00:00Knowledge of God<div style="text-align: justify;">If God is beyond the grasp of our fragile minds, then we have to content ourselves with the fact that our approximations of what God is are merely that - approximations. This should not, however, discourage us from using mythology, religion, and art as an attempt to describe and understand the majesty of God, however ultimately futile such an attempt might be, nor discourage us to use our heart and our Gnosis to come to the only real knowledge of God that can be attained.</div>Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-38332873807026374392009-02-16T19:17:00.002+00:002009-02-16T19:19:19.371+00:00Book Review: The Gnostics<div style="text-align: justify;">Gnosticism has become increasingly popular over recent years, with the publication of the Nag Hammadi library, the even more recent Gospel of Judas, the blockbuster Matrix films, and, of course, the infamous Da Vinci Code book and film, not to mention countless others that slip under the radar of all but those who have “eyes to see”. However, all this popularity has led to a very skewed understanding of what Gnosticism is all about – some people think it was invented by Aleister Crowley, that it was all about Jesus' relationship with Mary Magdalene, or that it was a single obscure heretical group that didn't last very long. <i>The Gnostics</i><span style="font-style: normal;">, by Andrew Phillip Smith, is an accessible book that dispels these erroneous views with a thorough introduction to the history, tradition, scriptures, and influence of Gnosticism in all its facets.<br /></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><br />The book, numbering just under 250 pages, is broad in scope, dealing with nearly all of the Gnostic groups of note from its inception two millenia ago to its revival in modern days in both an occult and ecclesiastical form. Entire chapters are devoted to the Sethians and Valentinians, the Manichaens, the Cathars, and the Mandaens, with brief mention of other smaller groups (which we sadly lack information on) in between. Other chapters deal with Gnostic mythology, psychology, praxis, and, of course, that illusive concept of </span><i>Gnosis</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> itself. Smith includes a rather sizeable chapter on the modern Gnostic revival which “brings it home”, as it were, in a way that people can relate to; works from Blake, Philip Pullman, Philip K. Dick, and other modern works are mentioned, allowing the reader to see how the transmission of Gnosis never truly died out. References, a good bibliography, and an index are also supplied, which will please anyone looking at this from an academic perspective.<br /></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><br />It is evident that Smith is not merely a scholar in this field, but immensely interested in the traditions and texts which he studies. His enthusiasm is apparent in nearly every page of the book, and his sympathy for Gnosticism is a welcome change for Gnostics like myself, who all too often have to contend with the cruel eye of heresiological bias. However, in stating this, Smith never abandons historical accuracy or conventional scholarly practice in presenting his views. His arguments are generally solid and widely accepted throughout the academic world. One such argument is “Gnosticism is dualist”, which frequently raises the ire of modern Gnostics who vehemently disagree with the notion. Initially a Gnostic reader might bite their lip when reading this same argument coming from Smith, but it quickly becomes apparent that he has found a balance between the conventional view and the modern Gnostic one: “...classical Gnostic dualism was a dualism within unity.” Smith also takes care not to lump every Gnostic group into the same “dualistic” heading: “There is a clear distinction between absolute or radical dualism [...] and mitigated or moderate dualism, which posits a good God or good force at the beginning and culmination, at the highest point of the universe, but which acknowledges that an independent evil force or lower God has as much, or more, influence on our present world. The Sethians and Valentinians were mitigated dualists, the Manichaens absolute dualists.” While many modern (Valentinian) Gnostics might still grind their teeth at the word “dualist” being used here at all, this explict distinction between absolute and mitigated forms, so well described by Smith, goes a long way to ammending the somewhat negative usage of the word.<br /></span><i><br />The Gnostics</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> is one of the few introductory texts that covers almost the entire scope of Gnosticism, providing a true and accurate portrayal of the variety and uniqueness that comes with Gnosis through the ages. In these days when people are questioning the orthodox Christian viewpoint, hungry now for a tradition that utilises the mythology they are used to in a radically different and positive way, it is important that they educate themselves on these alternate traditions that have remained a secret for too long in this world. In light of this, this book is one of the few I would recommend to those who know little or nothing about Gnosticism, and yet even for those who actively engage in the Gnostic path, for, as Smith puts it, “the opportunities for Gnosis are greater now than they may have been for several centuries.”<br /></span><i><br />The Gnostics</i><span style="font-style: normal;">, by Andrew Phillip Smith; Watkins Publishing (2008)</span></div> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;" align="justify"> </p>Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-11275087687696308692009-01-28T18:58:00.001+00:002009-01-28T19:00:19.409+00:00A Prayer for the Global Economy<div style="text-align: justify;">We send energy to aid in the regeneration of the global economy, that we might all be prosperous, that we might all avail of wealth, and that we might all return to days of hope and joy, and partake in a better, more affluent world. We will for reinvigoration, recovery, and stimulation in the global economy, and we take the fear and gloom and despair that permeates the world and transform it into hope, joy, and universal happiness, for such such is the power and potency in us as global alchemists to bring about change and transformation, to ensure a thriving and flourishing economy for this day and the many days to come.</div>Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-5280010969184793082009-01-21T21:54:00.003+00:002009-01-21T21:57:54.890+00:00Wasatch Gnostic Society - 2009 Tolkien Lectures<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Lord of the Rings</span>, while perhaps not intended as a Gnostic work, is a piece of fiction that tends to resonate loudly with Gnostics around the world - so much so that the Ecclesia Gnostica has a section dedicated to Tolkien <a href="http://gnosis.org/wgs/Tolkien.html">on its website</a>.<br /><br />Recently when checking a fan-site (theOneRing.net) I found an interesting series of lectures being held by the Wasatch Gnostic Society. Details can be found <a href="http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2009/01/20/31016-wasatch-gnostic-society-2009-winter-lecture-series/#more-31016">here</a>.<br /></div>Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-39876121051316703632009-01-08T17:20:00.002+00:002009-01-08T17:22:31.539+00:00My Views on Fate<div style="text-align: justify;">I believe that certain things are "fated" to be, but, in fact, they're also completely changeable. In a normal human sense they are fated, but in a more "godly" sense they are changeable. This is where the distinction between Higher and Lower Self is needed. The Higher Self chooses, while the Lower Self enacts a choice. Indeed, this is where, to give an analogy from the Matrix, the Oracle tells Neo "You've already made the choice. Now you have to understand it". If we will, we may change anything that is "fated", but only through the Higher Self - and we may decide not to change something after initially trying to once we realise it was an essential choice for our spiritual growth.</div>Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-60803143514990548972008-09-19T21:50:00.001+01:002008-09-19T21:52:03.830+01:00Religion without a Goddess...<div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote>"A religion without a goddess is halfway to atheism."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">- Dion Fortune</div></blockquote></div>Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-28123530342874113162008-09-11T18:12:00.000+01:002008-09-11T18:13:25.035+01:00The Demiurge's Laugh<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Demiurge's Laugh</span><br /> <br />It was far in the sameness of the wood;<br />I was running with joy on the Demon’s trail,<br />Though I knew what I hunted was no true god.<br />It was just as the light was beginning to fail<br />That I suddenly heard—all I needed to hear:<br />It has lasted me many and many a year.<br /><br />The sound was behind me instead of before,<br />A sleepy sound, but mocking half,<br />As of one who utterly couldn’t care.<br />The Demon arose from his wallow to laugh,<br />Brushing the dirt from his eye as he went;<br />And well I knew what the Demon meant.<br /><br />I shall not forget how his laugh rang out.<br />I felt as a fool to have been so caught,<br />And checked my steps to make pretense<br />It was something among the leaves I sought<br />(Though doubtful whether he stayed to see).<br />Thereafter I sat me against a tree.<br /><br />- Robert Frost</blockquote>Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-16910898927187939692008-09-09T00:44:00.004+01:002008-09-09T00:50:02.950+01:00Gnosticism as Playful and Celebratory...<div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote>"Another aspect of Rosicrucianism which few writers have touched upon, but which I feel is important, is its quality of playfulness, something that is arguably present in the Gnostic tradition that so influenced Rosicrucianism. The dualistic universe of the Gnostics, with its demiurge who created the physical world, need not be gloomy and depressing. Rather, it opens up the possibility of seeing the world as a marvellous conjuring trick, with the demiurge as the conjurer, whose skill is admired and applauded. But sooner or later the show will end and you must leave the theatre. From this viewpoint, Gnosticism ceases to be a negative, melancholy view and becomes instead a playful, celebratory one."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">- Christopher McIntosh, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Rosicrucians</span></div></blockquote></div>Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-25199140086189848842008-09-03T23:55:00.000+01:002008-09-04T02:04:29.586+01:00"The Gnostics" by Andrew Phillip Smith<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s22/yechidah/thegnostics.jpg" border="0" /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.bardic-press.com/philip/philipblog.htm">Andrew Phillip Smith</a>, who is a well known author within the Gnostic community, has just released a new book entitled "The Gnostics", which is an introductory text on the subject, numbering just over 250 pages. It looks like a very intriguing book, with a solid scholarly backing, and I will be posting a review of it here on Henosis Decanus soon.<br /><br />In the mean time, you can order it <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gnostics-History-Tradition-Scriptures-Influence/dp/1905857640/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220489608&sr=8-3">here</a>, or, if you want the slightly different cover of the American version, try <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gnostics-History-Tradition-Scriptures-Influence/dp/1905857780/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220489546&sr=8-2">here</a> (although you'll have to wait 'til early October for that version). Also check your local bookshops.<br /></div>Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-19745527706476681702008-08-28T13:45:00.005+01:002008-09-04T02:07:54.434+01:00Blog List Updated<div style="text-align: justify;">I've finally gotten round to updating my blog list with the better blog feed that Blogger has introduced (where you can see updates and click straight into the latest post of each blogger). I've also added a few new blogs and removed a few old ones. The two I'd like to highlight are:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.palmtreegarden.org/blog/">Gnostica: A Gnostic Blog</a><br /></div><br />This is run by a team from the Palm Tree Garden, and has some excellent posts thus far.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bardic-press.com/philip/philipblog.htm">Andrew Phillip Smith's Blog</a><br /></div><br />This is run by a friend, who has written a number of books on Gnosticism, and is the Editor of the new <span style="font-style: italic;">The Gnostic</span> magazine, which should be out by the end of the year. I'll keep you posted.<br /><br />I'll be attempting to update this blog a little more regularly, but in the mean time, feel free to check out my other blog:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://mishkan-ha-echad.blogspot.com/">Mishkan ha-Echad</a><br /></div></div>Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-25686868363934656312008-08-26T20:50:00.005+01:002008-08-26T21:10:01.749+01:00"The Sunlight And Air Of The True Spirit"<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">"[Roiscrucianism] did develop a coherent teaching, which represented a highly interesting late revival of a Gnostic way of thinking. By "Gnostic" I mean, in essence, the view that the human spirit is trapped, as it were, under water, living a kind of half-life, ignorant of the fact that the sunlight and air of the true spirit are overhead. If knowledge (or <span style="font-style: italic;">gnosis</span>) can make people aware of this, they will make the effort to swim upward and be reunited with their real element."<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">- Christopher McIntosh, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Rosicrucians</span></div></blockquote>Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-91201624810573043812008-08-17T13:05:00.001+01:002008-08-17T13:05:00.316+01:00Poetry: Doubters Of DivinityYou doubters of divinity -<br />You see devils in the hearts of all God's people,<br />Who must, by your great will, come out in straw<br />With pitchforks ready<br />To clash, steel on wood, against the sceptres of sure Science,<br />Held aloft upon the horses of your reign.<br />If only it were simple,<br />Adam cast across the rift from Atoms,<br />An uncrossable Abyss,<br />A mental chasm where only malice lies.<br />But where is subtlety in these uncertain times,<br />Where we, in our doubt, assume we know it all?<br />There is only red and blue and yellow,<br />Stark around their corners<br />Where no meld of hue is seen,<br />Nor permitted, nor encouraged,<br />As was once the case<br />When the brilliant light of art<br />Merged with the evanescence of the angels<br />And the candescence of great culture<br />Saw no contradiction between the art of science,<br />And the science of art.<br />There was none of this vile blindedness,<br />Where the books of chemistry and physics<br />Cannot rest upon the shelf amidst the classics,<br />Those epitomes of literature<br />And the episodes of Man.<br />Our books are bound more tightly,<br />And thicker are their covers,<br />For fear we might somehow contaminate each other<br />With these opposing truths, these opposing lies.<br />The incivility of cynicism,<br />That vast tidal wave of suspicion,<br />Washes over many, a ravage rampant tempest<br />Against those "savages" who believe in something more.<br />And in the shadows of our minds creeps a growing creed:<br />Turn the other eye instead of cheek,<br />Afraid to face the possibility<br />That there are answers in the artistry<br />That only the humble heart can read.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Inspired by </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Dawkins">Richard Dawkins</a>Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-6928831256217516482008-08-05T17:15:00.002+01:002008-08-05T17:20:02.842+01:00Knights Templar Threaten "Inquisition" (Legal Action) Against Vatican<p style="text-align: justify;">"The Knights Templar are demanding that the Vatican give them back their good name and, possibly, billions in assets into the bargain, 700 years after the order was brutally suppressed by a joint venture between the Pope and the King of France.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">"If the Holy See doesn’t comply, the warrior knights, renowned for liberating the Holy Land, will deploy that most fearsome of weapons: a laborious court case through the creaking Spanish legal system.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">"The <em>Daily Telegraph</em> reports that The Association of the Sovereign Order of the Temple of Christ has launched a court case in Spain, demanding Pope Benedict “recognise” the seizure of assets worth €100bn. The Spanish-based group of Templars apparently says in a statement: "We are not trying to cause the economic collapse of the Roman Catholic Church, but to illustrate to the court the magnitude of the plot against our Order." This might come as a surprise to those who believe that the order of warrior monks – also credited with possessing the Holy Grail and laying the foundation of the European banking system - was smashed in 1307 by Pope Clement V and Philip IV of France."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Read the rest <a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/08/04/knights_templar_pope/">here</a>.</p>Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-63572040048335195292008-07-28T15:03:00.002+01:002008-08-26T21:10:20.764+01:00Love Is Full Of Rest<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">"And so I urge you, go after experience rather than knowledge. On account of pride, knowledge may often deceive you, but this gentle, loving affection will not deceive you. Knowledge tends to breed conceit, but love builds. Knowledge is full of labor, but love, full of rest."<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">- The Cloud of Unknowing</span></div></blockquote>Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-23652090190606347652008-07-26T16:02:00.000+01:002008-07-26T16:19:56.614+01:00Gnostic Parallels In The Qabalah<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s22/yechidah/gnosticism-2.jpg" border="0" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As a student of both Gnosticism and Qabalah, I began to find many similarities between the two, and wondered just how deep the parallels went. Indeed, it made me question if the Qabalah was influenced by Gnosticism, which even the Qabalistic scholar Gershom Scholem wondered in his many excellent books on the subject. It seems likely that this is so, at least in the Lurianic school of Qabalah, but for now I will content myself with merely pointing out the parallels and letting my readers come to their own conclusions.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><ol><li>God is conceived of as beyond the Three Negative Veils of Existence, (<span style="font-style: italic;">Limitless Light</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Limitless</span>, and <span style="font-style: italic;">Nothing</span>), as the Unmanifest, in the Qabalah. Likewise it was common Gnostic principle (as well as being a general approach in mysticism as a whole [see the <a href="http://www.ccel.org/ccel/anonymous2/cloud.toc.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cloud of Unknowing</span></a><span>, for example</span>]) to define God in negative terminology.</li><li>While the above is true, God was also seen as part and parcel of the entire manifest universe, while also being beyond the Three Negative Veils. This is called <span style="font-style: italic;">panentheism</span>, believing the universe to be part of God, but not all of God, which is in stark contrast to pantheism. Of course, there were many Gnostics who claimed definitively that the world was not in the least bit divine, but there were also many others who believed otherwise - the Valentinians in particular. They shared a predominantly panentheistic view. This can also be found in the Qabalah, where God is present in all the Sephiroth, and yet there is also part of him that is Unmanifest, beyond the Veils.<br /></li><li>The process of emanation in the creation process ("emanationist cosmogony") is part and parcel of, at the very least, Sethian and Valentinian belief. It is a typical point that, in a sense, defines Gnosticism (though, of course, not all Gnostics adhered to this, but this is pushing the term to its most open and inclusive). At the very least, the Sethians are the only group to actually call themselves Gnostics, and since they believed this, it is the most definitive source, in terms of scholarship, for defining the belief. The Qabalah shares this cosmogony, with emanating Sephiroth instead of Aeons. Indeed, the Aeons often numbered 10, the number of the Sephiroth.<br /></li><li>God of the Manifest Universe, either seen in Chokmah or Kether, is not the "real God" - you see a beared man in Chokmah (traditional "man in the clouds" god), or a bearded man in profile in Kether, showing you can only see one side of God. This is very similar to the conception of God throughout Gnostic myth, with the God of Chokmah or Kether (depending on your source and personal inclination), who is the "Creator God", being equated as the Demiurge.</li><li>Gnosticism espouses a belief in a Divine Spark in Man. Qabalah also espouses this belief (via the <span style="font-style: italic;">Yechidah</span>, etc.). See <a href="http://henosis-decanus.blogspot.com/2007/04/holy-sparks.html">here</a> and <a href="http://henosis-decanus.blogspot.com/2008/07/no-setting-free-of-captives-is-greater.html">here</a> for Qabalistic passages by the <span style="font-style: italic;">Baal Shem Tov</span> on the Divine Sparks.</li><li>Gnosticism teaches us that this world is a fallen one (sometimes likened to a prison, which the Qabalists would not necessarily have agreed with), with the Divine Sparks trapped inside. It must be raised up and restored to its original condition. This is a pivotal belief in the Qabalah, which focus on the <span style="font-style: italic;">Tiqqun ha-Olam</span>, the Restoration of the World. This usually takes the form of Malkuth being fallen and requiring reunion with Tiphareth (see <a href="http://mishkan-ha-echad.blogspot.com/2008/06/qabalistic-cross-why-do-we-draw-malkuth.html">here</a> for my Qabalistic Cross material on <span style="font-style: italic;">Tiqqun</span><span> as an illustration of this</span>).</li><li>There is a feminine form of Divinity in Gnosticism, which is termed <span style="font-style: italic;">Sophia</span>. The Qabalistic equivalent, often used by many modern Gnostics, is the <span style="font-style: italic;">Shekinah</span>. Sophia was once one of the primary emanations, but has now become trapped in the physical. This is mirrored in the Qabalah, where Sophia (or <span style="font-style: italic;">Barbelo </span>in her higher Sethian aspect) lies in Binah, but her fallen counterpart lies in Malkuth. Interestingly enough, <span style="font-style: italic;">Sophia</span> is Greek for "Wisdom," while <span style="font-style: italic;">Chokmah</span> is Hebrew for "Wisdom". Some Qabalists would attribute the Demiurge to Chokmah (while others will choose Kether or even Chesed), and the Demiurge is typically linked to Saturn, which is attributed to Binah. Thus we have a kind of reversal of attributions of Sophia and Demiurge between these two Sephiroth in the Qabalah.</li><li>The most important principle about Gnosticism is <span style="font-style: italic;">Gnosis</span>, experiential knowledge of the Divine. While the Qabalah does not have a direct equivalent, Gnosis is usually translated as "Knowledge", with a potential equivalent being the Hebrew <span style="font-style: italic;">Da'ath</span>, also translated at "Knowledge". To access the Supernal Realm the Qabalist must peruse Da'ath, or, to put it another way, Gnosis allows us to experience the heights of Divinity. This is a fundamental hidden principle to Qabalah.</li></ol><br />These are but a few of the parallels I've found between these two systems, which, as both a Gnostic and a Qabalist, have allowed me to use them together without contradiction (and have allowed me to explain Qabalistic ideas in Gnostic terms, or Gnostic ideas in Qabalistic terms). There are many more parallels, including the <span style="font-style: italic;">Sepher Yetzirah</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Sepher ha-Bahir</span>. I will be exploring these in a more indepth article on this matter in the future.<br /></div>Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8804748110841330925.post-60041197204126349372008-07-04T17:24:00.001+01:002008-08-26T21:10:50.157+01:00No Setting Free Of Captives Is Greater<div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote>"The holy sparks that fell when God built and destroyed the worlds, man shall raise and purify upward from stone to plant, from plant to animal, from animal to speaking being. It is known that each spark that dwells in a stone or plant or another creature has a complete figure with a full number of limbs and sinews, and when it dwells in the stone or plants, it is in prison, cannot stretch out its hands and feet, and cannot speak, but its head lies on its knees. And, whoever, with the good strength of his spirit, is able to raise the holy spark from stone to plant, from plant to animal, from animal to speaking being, he leads it into freedom, and no setting free of captives is greater than this. It is as when a king's son is rescued from captivity and brought to his father."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">- Baal Shem Tov (via Rev Yakov Leib HaKohain)</div></blockquote></div>Frater Yechidahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630272924336872824noreply@blogger.com0