Fama Fraternitatis - 1614

Wiewohl wir nun wohl wissen, daß es umb ein ziemliches noch nicht an dem, da wieder unserm Verlangen oder auch anderer Hoffnung mit allgemeiner Reformation divini et humani, solle genug geschehen, ist es doch nicht unbillich, daß, ehe die Sonne auffgehet, sie zuvor ein HELL oder dunkel liecht in den Himmel bringt und unter dessen etliche wenige, die sich werden angeben, zusammen tretten, unsere Fraternitet mit der Zahl und Ansehen des gewünschten und von Fr.R.C. fürgeschriebenen Philosophischen Canons, einen glücklichen Anfang machen oder ja in unserer Schätz (die uns nimmermehr aufgehen können) mit uns in Demut und Liebe genießen die Mühsamkeit dieser Welt überzuckern und in den Wunderwerken Gottes nicht also blind umbgehen.

Vi vet dock att det enligt vår åstundan och andras förväntningar efter någon tid kommer en allmän reformation av både gudomliga och mänskliga ting. Ty innan solen går upp, upplyses himlen av
MORGONRODNADENS ljus. I väntan på denna reformation församlas några få som med sitt antal skall utöka vårt brödraskap, höja dess anseende och stärka dess förhoppningar och ge de av Fr.R.C. föreskrivna Filosofiska Canons en lycklig begynnelse. I all ödmjukhet och kärlek skall dessa nytillkomna tillsammans med oss dela våra skatter, som aldrig skall förgås, och så lindra denna världens möda och inte längre vandra ovetande om kunskapen om Guds underbara verk.

Howbeit we know after a time there will now be a general reformation, both of divine and humane things, according to our desire, and the expectation of others: for it is fitting, that before the rising of the Sun, there should appear and break forth AURORA, or some clearness, or divine light in the sky; and so in the mean time some few, which shall give their names, may joyn together, thereby to increase the number and respect of our Fraternity, and make a happy and wished for beginning of our Philosophical Canons, prescribed to us by our brother R.C. and be partakers with us of our treasures (which never can fail or be wasted) in all humility, and love to be eased of this worlds labor, and not walk so blindly in the knowledge of the wonderful works of God.

Definition

Det brittiska ordenssällskapet Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn och den tyska Frimurarlogen L'Aurore Naissante, vilket grundades i London 1888 respektive Frankfurt-am-Main 1807, delade på samma hebreiska namn Chevrah Zerach Bequr Aur, förevisat i gyllene gult vid bloggens huvud, vilket ordagrannt kan översättas till “Stigande Gryningsljusets Sällskap”. Denna tyska Rosenkorsiska Frimurarloge i Frankfurt, vilket måste anses vara det ursprungliga modertemplet till GOLDEN DAWN, kallade sig på tyska även Loge sur Aufgehenden Morgenröthe, vilket kan översättas till “Gryende Morgonrodnadens Loge”. Detta skiljer sig åt från den engelska seden att översätta orden Bequr Aur till “Golden Dawn” eller “Gyllene Gryningen”. Med anledning av Rosenkorstraditionens tyska ursprung är en mer korrekt översättning av Bequr Aur, genom franskans L'Aurore Naissante och tyskans Aufgehenden Morgenröthe, inget annat än GRYENDE MORGONRODNADEN. Denna hänvisning till ett stigande gryningsljus, morgonrodnad eller aurora är en klar hänvisning till den allmäna reformationen omnämnt i det ovan citerade stycket från Fama Fraternitatis. Denna blogg har dock valt att behålla den försvenskade anglo-saxiska termen GYLLENE GRYNINGEN för att denna, invand som den är, lättare associeras med den Rosenkorsiska tradition som här ämnas att framställas.

Licht, Leben, Liebe

lördag 29 januari 2011

Concerning the use of the L.V.X. Signs in Magic

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As of lately some well renowned and acknowledged Adepts of the Golden Dawn Tradition have suggested that the Sign of the Adeptus Minor 5°=6° Grade doesn’t involve the entire series of L.V.X. Signs, but instead simply either one or both of the Signs of Osiris (which constitutes but two parts of the entire series of L.V.X. Signs). Some of these Adepts also state that it is wrong to perform the entire series of L.V.X. Signs together with the tracing of Spirit Pentagrams, as Ritual “B” (Pentagram Ritual) clearly states that it is proper to use the 5°=6° Sign (note the sigular) in this instance.

However, study of other original Inner Order or R.R. et A.C. material clearly reveals an ambiguity as there is also references to 5°=6° Signs (plural) as well as a 5°=6° Sign (singular), often in the same document. This is also clearly seen in Israel Regardie’s published GD corpus, which of course makes matters quite confused. Furthermore, this suggestion of a 5°=6° Sign distinct from the L.V.X. Signs has created somewhat of a problem as there doesn’t seem to be any consensus regarding the proper use of the 5°=6° Sign; the different voices of GD authority contradict each other and creates even more confusion amongst students in the Golden Dawn Community.

The four forms of the L.V.X. Signs

The most common suggestion for a 5°=6° Sign is to make both the Signs of Osiris Slain and of Osiris Risen. But there has also been suggested to only use the Sign of Osiris Slain, as its form and gesture more properly is attributed to the particular nature of the Adeptus Minor Grade; involving the Passion and Suffering of Osiris-Christ, and thus of the Adeptus Minor. Now, I am not in a position to either confirm or deny any of these suggestions, as that knowledge properly belongs to initiated Adepti. But I do have some practical suggestions for all the solo practitioners out there, and also for students of the Golden Dawn Tradition, that hopefully may somewhat lessen this state of confusion.

Personally I cannot see any harm in performing a full series of L.V.X. Signs after the tracing of Spirit Pentagrams. How I see it, the particular 5°=6° Sign, which has been suggested to be the Signs (note the plural) of Orisis Slain and Risen, is nothing more or nothing less than an abbreviation of the L.V.X. Signs (with starts and ends with the Signs of Osiris). Regardless of the actual and correct use of the 5°=6° Grade Sign proper, this still holds as a fact; the 5°=6° Sign is a short form of the L.V.X. Signs and its formula of “Divine White Brilliance”. Note here that white is the proper colour for Spirit in the King Scale.

The Signs of Rending
and Closing of the Veil

Even if there is a reference to a particular “Saluting Sign” of the 5°=6°, the L.V.X. Signs are also attributed to the 5°=6° Grade, which many Inner Order documents bear out. This means that they may be used to invoke the Spirit (Fifth Element) besides only invoking L.V.X. through the Analysis of the Key word; but what is Spirit other than pure L.V.X.?

I even dare to say that the L.V.X. Signs are the most optimal ones to use in this instance – as the symbol of Elemental Spirit – compared to either the Signs of Osiris, or even the Portal Grade Signs of Rending and Closing of the Veil (as has been suggested by Aleister Crowley). All these suggested Signs correspond to Spirit, but the Portal Signs are better suited for other applications than invoking Spirit per se. So I would suggest to you all: go for the L.V.X. Signs whatever is suggested, indicated or hinted at in century old documents or books, which are ambiguous anyway. Thus you don’t need to know the proper use of the 5°=6° Saluting Sign to be able to invoke Spirit in GD style Ceremonial Magic.

Astrological correspondences
of
the Tree of Life

In this debate there has also been raised questions against the use of the L.V.X. Signs in Planetary and Zodiacal Magic, but in particular with the latter, as suggested in David Griffin’s The Ritual Magic Manual. A voice has even been raised by one Golden Dawn authority to the effect that this is not to be considered as an orthodox or traditional application of the Golden Dawn System of Magic. Some propose the use the Elemental Signs for the Zodiacal Forces instead. My answer to this is quite simple.

You have to put the different hierarchies into their correct context or perspective. The key to this is the Tree of Life and the Ptolemaic universe (upon which the former is based). The Elements belongs to the lowest realm (Malkuth), while the Planets are placed as intermediary forces (Binah to Yesod) between the Elements and the Zodiac (Chokmah). This hierarchical division is also apparent in the placement of the three concentric rows of rose petals upon the Adept’s Rose Cross Lamen, i.e. that of 3 (Elements), 7 (Planets) and 12 (Zodiac), according to the correspondences of Hebrew Mother, Double and Single letters.

The Rose upon the Cross

Thus the Zodiac is not of the nature of the Elements, even if it corresponds to the Elements by Triplicity. But on the other hand it also corresponds to the Planets by rulership. But a Zodiacal Sign is neither an Element nor a Planet, but a Zodiacal Sign in its own right.

So there are three important hierarchies to consider here, that of Elements, Planets and the Zodiac. As there aren’t any special geometric forms wherewith to invoke the Zodiac, we may use either the Pentagrams (through the Elemental Triplicity) or the Hexagrams (through the Planetary Rulership) to invoke a particular Zodiacal Sign. But if a Zodiacal Sign belongs to a plane that is higher than that of a Planet, why then use Elemental Grade Signs which represents the most base forces of this hierarchical system, i.e. that of pure Elements? The L.V.X. Signs are applicable to invoke all forms of higher spiritual forces beyond the sublunary. Remember that the Zodiac proper belongs to the highest realm in this Hermetic system, only being overshadowed by the Primum Mobile of Kether.

The geocentric model of Claudius Ptolemäus

Concerning the suggestion that the use of L.V.X. Signs with the Zodiacal Pentagrams doesn’t represent orthodox or traditional GD practice. Well, the Ritual “B” (Pentagram Ritual) doesn’t state which Sign or Signs that are to be used together with the Zodiacal Pentagram, does it? So how can the use of the L.V.X. Signs in this instance be regarded as “untraditional”? Such suggestions are as speculative as anything else suggested in this discussion. The Golden Dawn Tradition left some gaps here and there to be worked out and filled in by the coming generations of Golden Dawn Adepts, which has also been done through the decades following the creation of the original GD corpus. One such example of development, which in my opinion is an adequate one and follows traditional Hermetic and Qabalistic teachings, is the use of the L.V.X. Signs together with Zodiacal Forces.

Furthermore, Zodiacal Magic belongs to the realm of Astrological Magic, as does Planetary Magic. Consider for a moment the Elemental attribution of the Planetary Hexagrams, the proper key to this being that of the Zodiacal attribution of the Quarters which reflects the Zodiacal wheel placed upon the Temple floor; starting with Aries (Fire) in East, going in a counter-clockwise motion towards North and Cancer (Water), then to Libra (Air) in West, and finally to South and Capricorn (Earth). This simple example of attributions clearly shows the intimate relationship between the Planets and the Zodiac, both being two parts of the workings of Astrological Magic.

The four forms of the Hexagram

Thus the proper Signs to use in all forms of Astrological Magic, be it moving stars (Planets) or fixed stars (Zodiac), are in my opinion that of the L.V.X. We already have a natural attribution of the L.V.X. Signs to the Planets, through the Hexagram Ritual, which always starts (and often ends) with the Analysis of the Key Word. Thus this naturally spills over to the Zodiac, because of the shared astrological nature.

S∴R∴

2 kommentarer:

neognostica sa...

Excellent topic my friend, and I agree with every thing that youve stated.

IMO When invoking Zodiacal energies: The Pentagrams open doors to "elemental influences" entering your Theurgy, and the Hexagram is anchored to the planetary realms.

It could be argued that both Elemental and Planetary channels are used by the Zodiacal forces for implementation of ritual intent. So in that light either symbol should (and does) invoke the Zodiac just fine.

So, my thoughts are that I am grounded in Assiah during the Invoking, so an elemental symbol would be my first thought. But it is my opinion that the Zodiacal force should implement, not me.
And using an Elemental symbol could draw in the low, while reaching for the highest.....hmmmm, a dilemma, yes?

Basicly using David Griffin's structure from the Ritual Magic Manual, but replacing the pentagram with an "Elemental Triad", was the obvious choice.

Upon "testing" this conceptual system; their was no comparison. The result of Zodiacal Theurgy was instantly improved twelve-fold.

Right now it is just personal research, but it is my wish that an offical Golden Dawn order would pick it up, and apply it properly to the GD construct.

I offer it to the HOGD first and foremost, but is availible for testing for anyone that wishes.

http://neognostica.blogspot.com/2010/08/astrological-magick-12-banners-of.html

And here is an example of how to put it into a full ritual, with the LVX.

http://neognostica.blogspot.com/2010/10/greater-invoking-ritual-of-12-pointed.html

neo

Alucinare Concordia Veritate et LVX Deo Volente

Sincerus Renatus... sa...

Care Neo,

Thank you for your valuable input. Yes, the Zodiac manifest itself through the medium of the Planetary and / or Elemental Forces. David Griffin only touches the Elemental aspect in his book The Ritual Magic Manual. But I highly recommend any serious Theurgist to also use the Planetary aspect, and compare. I believe both have their merit and can lead to different experiences of the same force, through the two lenses.

I have seen your Elemental Triad system but haven't experimented with it. As I have said before, it really looks interesting and quite promising. With this we may have yet a third aspect or lens wherewhich we may invoke the Zodiacal Forces, perhaps in a more purer form, using the Qualities. This perhaps even links to some Alchemical associations, but that is not for open discussion here.

Keep up with the good work Frater!

In Licht, Leben und Liebe,
S:.R:.