I would just like to wish all my readers a happy beltaine. How people traditionally celebrate this varies. If you are cool you go off to the woods for various fertility-related activities. If however you are sad and lonely you can always release your pent up sexual tensions by taking part in a riot or demonstration in a large city.
Hey ho! The trees call…
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Yorkshire, apparently, is the best place to go in order to observe lots of phenomena regarding demonic activity. No I am not talking about Chaos Magick (although come to think about it…). I refer to what politically correct occultists would call “nature spirits,” but which others who have less regard for political correctness and more for the actual etymology of the word would call actual “Dæmons.”
A report today says that last year there were 74 reported incidents involving ghosts, dæmons, etc in Yorkshire. Entities mentioned include Incubi and Succubi, as well as “instances of demonic possession and sightings of hell hounds, water demons and demons with repulsive forms such as ghouls and werewolves.”
Kewl!!!
Inverness is the highest rated county in Scotland – probably due to the fact that Loch Ness is situated there, whilst Wales and Northern Ireland do not get a look in unfortunately. All in all, the report basically confirms that areas traditionally associated with paranormal activity remain so to this day.
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Magick is an old English spelling of Magic which was revived by Aleister Crowley. He defined it as “the science and art of causing change in conformity with Will.” The crucial word in this sentence is Will. This does not mean any passing fancy, but refers to the great spiritual forces which are driving ones soul. Magick is therefore really about finding your Soul’s purpose – and then giving effect to it.
The concept of True Will is something Crowley took – like most things – from the Golden Dawn. True Will is what occurs when your ordinary everyday conscious Will is perfectly united with your Higher Will – which is your aspiration to that which is highest and most spiritual.
Wicca is a term most associated with the movement first brought to public consciousness by Gerald Gardner in the middle of the last century. It is primarily concerned with worship of the Goddess and God, and the observance of the traditional pagan festivals (Sabbats) and full-moon ceremonies (Esbats). There is now evidence to suggest that what we now know as the modern Wicca movement was founded in the 1920s by former members of the Golden Dawn who believed that they had been Witches in previous incarnations. Gardner did not found Wicca, but he was the first person to actively publicise it. See, for example, Gerald Gardner and the Cauldron of Inspiration by Philip Heselton (which coincidentally I once reviewed in the Journal of the Western Mystery Tradition).
Witchcraft is a general term for the historic Witch tradition. Many Wiccans would say that Wicca is Witchcraft, or at least a part or an example of Witchcraft: I do not particularly want to get into an argument upon the matter.
Can a Christian ever practice Magick – and remain a Christian? Certain elements of Thelema and Wicca have a religious character, so in these instances, probably not. However, one should also remember that for 1900 years prior to the 20th century, magick was being preserved and studied by Christian scholars. Not, of course, those who slavishly followed the dictats of the Church, but freethinkers who believed that the Kabbalah was the perfect synthesis between magic, mysticism and religion – even though at times they were persecuted by the mainstream Church for daring to say so.
So for a modern day Christian who is thinking of magick I would say if you are such a Free-Thinker then yes it is possible – you would then find Christian overtones in Martinism, the Elus Cohens, Waite’s Fellowship of the Rosy Cross, Dion Fortune’s Society of the Inner Light, and even in the Golden Dawn.
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Following on from my article yesterday, I turn from the leaders of the three main political parties to those that are also running.
Nick Griffin (born March 1st 1959) is leader of the extreme right-wing BNP. Despite the fact that he lives in Wales, he is standing as a candidate in Barking & Dagenham. What do the stars have in store for him? As it happens there is good news and bad news.
As regard’s Nick’s personal life, this will go well. Saturn sextile his natal moon indicates confidence and control in regard to domestic affairs: family matters are important right now. Retrograde Pluto squaring his natal Venus indicates facing a challenge in his love-life. On the one hand that means trying to find a new level to one’s relationship – but it could indicate marital problems if this is not addressed. Fortunately, Venus conjunct his natal Mars signifies a good time for LURVE.
Regarding Nick’s political ambitions, the situation is more complex. As I mentioned yesterday, the General Election is current dominated by a Jupiter/Uranus conjunction which is jointly oppposed by Saturn. The planets Jupiter and Uranus are generally indicating favorable times for Mr Griffin, but Saturn is casting a downer. So on the one hand Griffin is feeling popular right now, and may receive unexpected help from a woman or young people. NB: this is actually the same situation with Nick Clegg of the Liberal Democrats – this may suggest that the BNP is receiving support from female voters and from the youth-vote.
On the other hand, Saturn opposite natal Mercury strikes a pessimistic note, and indicates that Griffin will have communication problems and come into conflict with others. His words are filled with negativity.
Neptune square to both natal Jupiter and Mars suggests Griffin could get the wrong idea, develop false ideals, and let his imagination carry him away to the point that those who support him are neglected or hurt. Extreme restlessness and discontent with the limitations of his current situation cause him to speculate and gamble on ways to quickly change his life. Griffin has a strong tendency to exaggerate and put on a front to impress others and gain the advancement that he seeks.
Finally retrograde Pluto conjunct natal Saturn indicates that if change does come into Griffin’s life he will not be able to make positive use of it by seeing the change as opportunity.
In conclusion then I recommend that now is a good time for an exciting new direction in Nick Griffin’s love life. I suggest that instead of taking part in the General Election, he take his lady-wife on a romantic break in an attempt to revitalise his marriage – the stars indicate he would be successful in doing so.
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British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced that the United Kingdom is going to the polls on May 6th 2010. I therefore present my predictions as to what is going to happen, especially to the leaders of the three main political parties.
The Sun is square to both the Moon and Mars (which are in opposition to each other). The Moon, incidentally, is in its last quarter. This means that the day is good day for getting rid of things. There will be upset and quarrelling. Moreover, Jupiter and Uranus are conjunct, but both are opposed by Saturn. There will be a revolution in the state of the British Government, which will be at the expense of old ideas – or indeed, older men.
Hence, the day of the General Election will be very acrimonious. We will certainly have a new government – younger contenders will fare better than older ones.
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Gordon – leader of the Labour Party and the current Prime Minister – is badly affected by the Saturn-Jupiter opposition. Saturn opposes his natal Venus and Mars, whilst Jupiter is conjunct to them. This means that Gordon will be facing a time of tests and trials – he will find it difficult to attract the things and people he wants in his life, and he will suffer a series of set-backs that cast doubt on his ability to win.
Conversely, however, he will feel a strong urge to socialize and indulge himself, but become lazy with regard to work and his career. It would also be a good time for him to take up a new physical activity.
In summary, the stars are telling Gordon that it is worthwhile taking up a new hobby – after all, come May 7th he will have plenty of time to pursue it.
David Cameron – Conservative leader and current leader of the Opposition – shares a lot in common with Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats (vide infra). In both cases Jupiter is conjunct their natal Saturn. This is both a good and a bad thing – Cameron (and Clegg) will become aware of increased opportunities, but also of increased responsibilities as well. Moreover, both men have the Sun conjunct their natal Caput Draconis – the signifier of Destiny. Both are hungry for growth and direction. Also, according to one source it indicates a time of connecting with others who share common interests – particularly another male or authority figure.
Cameron however does differ from Clegg in significant respects. Neptune opposes his natal Mars. This would indicate that he can bring an unusual degree of imagination and idealism to his work right now, but needs to stay realistic, in case he overstretches himself.
Clegg is the leader of the third largest party, the Liberal Democrats. The last time they had the merest whiff of power was in 1978 – thirty-two years ago, when they briefly had a pact with the then Labour government (it fell apart). They have not actually been in Government since the First World War.
Despite being the also-rans of British politics for close to a hundred years now, Nick Clegg of all the three party leaders is personally in the best position astrologically speaking. Like Cameron, he shares the Sun / natal Caput Draconis conjunction, and the Jupiter / natal Saturn conjunction. However in his own right he also has a number of favourable aspects peculiar to himself. Saturn is trine to his natal Venus – signifying it is a good time to curb spending and cut away accumulated debt – also, relationships begun during this time are likely to prove long term.
Uranus is trine to his natal Moon and Sextile to his natal Venus. This indicates a time during which he can discover new and different reasons or ways to enjoy and appreciate life. Also – that he could receive unexpected help or support from someone younger or a woman – perhaps this means the youth vote, or female voters. Given that Jupiter is conjunct Uranus, it shares the same aspect to Moon and Venus: Clegg is popular right now, and has the opportunity to make a good impression on others.
The only warning note is sounded by Neptune, which is square to his natal Moon. He could get the wrong idea, develop false ideals, and let his imagination carry him away to the point that those who support and care for him are neglected or hurt.
My predictions can be summarised as follows:
Finally I should point out that in regard to my prediction about older men having to make way for younger ones, it should be noted that Brown (born 1951) is the oldest of the three party leaders; Cameron (born 1966) is second but Clegg is youngest (born 1967).
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I am indebted to the Hermetic Library for finding this news story. Apparently Watkins Books – one of London’s three leading occult bookstores – has been saved from closing. (This, if you recall, is the bookshop which I allege is the model for the one in Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books.) Had it closed it would have been disastrous for the London – and UK – occult scene (I have patronised it myself on several occasions).
Full story here.
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News today of naughty Pagan goings on in the Forest of Dean, in Gloucestershire, UK. Apparently, a local well has been the subject of a severe case of well-dressings to celebrate the Equinox. Shock, horror! Apparently St Anthony’s Well, which is the renowned for its miracle cures for skin conditions, has been haunted by several teenage delinquents who have also been leaving pentagrams nearby, much to the consternation of local Christians.
Let us gloss over for one moment the fact that Christians ought to be praising God for any teenager that ventures near a cure for skin conditions, no matter how odd. Let us also gloss over the fact that this ancient well, though supposedly a Christian site is almost certainly an old pagan one that got saved for the Lord. What – pray tell – exactly is wrong with a Pentagram?
The Pentagram is a symbol of Nature – literally. Its proportions are based upon the Golden Ratio – 1:1.618… etc – which itself is based upon the Fibonnaci series.
Now there is a curious (and not unrelated) fact – if one were to imagine that the orbits of both the Earth and the Planet Venus were circles, then the major occlusions of the Sun by Venus as seen from Earth would mark out the points of a pentagram! There is a simple reason for this: the ratio of the distance of Venus from the Sun, to the distance of the Earth to the Sun, corresponds to the Golden Ratio – 1:1.618. Because orbital speed is also proportional to its distance from the Sun, it follows as a Math that a Pentagram-like arrangement would occur.
I was chatting on this matter to some Companions of mine in the pub – where all matters of cosmic importance are always discussed.
“What I find most remarkable,” I said, “is that the planet Venus just so happens to be that particular distance from the Sun in relation to Earth.”
“Yes,” one of my Companions answered. “And we are the only planet with intelligent life to see it.”
In this sense the Pentagram is quite exciting – it is a greater argument for Intelligent Design than a lot of the tripe put forward by Bible-bashing fundies. Christians have a unique opportunity to embrace this symbol because it really does indicate that a divine being created the Heavens and the Earth – yet they shy away from it because they think it is a symbol of the occult. Pagans are smarter in that respect.
Of course there are some Christians who like to appropriate the Pentagram as a sacred symbol – simply because it is a symbol of the number 5. There were 5 wounds of Christ, and there are 5 letters in the Hebrew spelling of the Qabalistic name of Jesus – “Yeheshuah.” This, incidentally is the basis for the Pentagram ritual of the Golden Dawn, which itself has passed into the neo-pagan tradition.
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Guten Tag! Heute bin ich glücklich weil mann meinen Büch “The Magus” (i.e. Der Magus) in Deutschland, Österreich, die Schweiz und Lichtenstein kaufen kann. Aber – er ist auf Englisch. Ich habe nicht ihn in Deutch übergesetzen, weil ich das Kompetenz der Spracher von Basil Fawlty habe.
Bonjour! Aujourd’hui je suis heureux, parce-que j’ai decouvert qu’on peut acheter mon roman, “The Magus” (i.e. Le Magus) en France, Belgie, et tous les pays Francophones. Mais pas Canada (c’est triste, ça). Là, on doit l’acheter d’Amazon.com.
Je suis desolé mais on ne peut que l’acheter en Anglais: il n’est pas traduit en Français, parce-que je n’ai que le compétence des lingues d’Eddie Izzard.
Sol Ascendans - The Website of Alex Sumner 
How to use Dreams to improve learning
You are able to make difficult tasks easier, improve the rate at which you take in, retain and understand information, and generally improve your mental capabilities – all through the power of dreaming. So says a group of Harvard scientists in a newly published study.
Of course – those who have already investigated the art of lucid dreaming must now be saying to these same scientists: “Told you so!” The fact is that these scientists are finally realising what lucid dreamers have been saying for years.
The basic principle to what the researchers are saying is this: you work on a mental problem or challenge late at night. You then go to sleep and have a good night’s rest. During the night your unconscious mind actually gets to work. In the morning when you wake up, and attempt to solve the same mental challenge – and suddenly it seems easier! The reason being, say the scientists, is that the power of dreaming frees up the power of the mind to apply itself to tasks in a way that is only “dormant” whilst you are awake.
However, lucid dreamers claim that the power of dreaming goes even further than what these scientists have been able to show in their experiments. History is replete with a number of creatively-minded people – artists, writers and others – who have attributed their inspiration to dreaming.
The author Robert Louis Stevenson consciously caused his dreams to inspire him with new plots for his novels. This is how he got the idea for “The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde,” as well as a number of others. In fact, Stevenson’s approach was that he characterised the powers of his unconscious as “brownies” (helpful spirits) and then told them to send him a message in his dreams – which is basically Magic by any other name.
John Coltrane “dreamed up” his masterpiece, A Love Supreme. Indeed, Paul McCartney has stated that he believes in the existence of magic simply because his greatest song, Yesterday, came to him in a dream. It is even said that many of Albert Einstein’s great ideas came to him through dreaming. So really the latest research by these scientists is not surprising at all but simply validates what many people have intuitively know for a long time.
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Tagged as Einstein, Harvard, John Coltrane, lucid dreaming, Paul McCartney