Thread: frustration in the 21st Century

It is a sad sad world in which ceremonial magics by far and large seem to be solely based upon judeo-christian concepts. The roots of today's ceremonial practice only extend as far as those of papal magic - that which stripped all pagan influences it could before copying it into manuscript form. The claim of these practices and many of those in modern paganism itself is lost to the bastardization performed on it by those who would accept that no other religions were valid save their own. From Gardner trying to adapt magic from Mather's "Greater Key of Solomon" (which itself was bastardized further by Mathers himself.. indeed, what Rabbi would call on Jesus Christ in a ceremony?) into actual re-revised paganism (softened for the common sensibillies of convenience) which in itself falls so short or actual ancient paganism as to make it's current practices seem a slap in the face of it. Judeo-Christian magic is not and will never be pagan magic. But then, so little of what he wrote was anyway. His was a combination of masonic, judeo-christian, turn of the century 'spiritism', and some processes of the Golden Dawn. Too many additives weaken the recipe.

Tis true that some current processes are very loosely based on Grecco-Egyptian magic, but much of this was lost on the constant insertion of jewish and christian idealogy. Even when one reads "The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation" by Hans Dieter Betz, one can see different influences creep in. The earliest ones combine Greek and Egyptian gods, then as the documents proceed further into later antiquity of Roman occupatation of Egypt, one finds Jewish then Christian idealogy seep in. This is a practice that has continued every since man began conquering man, and so the actions of man within natural history further weakens the purer strain of pagan magic itself - for magic is not merely natural, but supernatural. (defined as 'beyond nature')

One must go back to Sumerain, Akkadian, and Babylonian magic, as well as that of Egypt itself to find the purer written forms of ceremonial magic. If one took all the magic written since papal magic and stack it one book on top of another, one could not begin to fill even the shadow of the might found in these older forms of magic. Then why now the disdain found commonly among modern practitioners for these older processes? Indeed why? Many of them claim the feats proscribed are unaccomplishable or 'too difficult'. Bollocks! Discipline and focus can accomplish nearly anything. The more ancient practices were not as rigid as one is led to believe by these people. It is very adaptable as long as the key elements are faithful. This becomes a problem when key elements are gouged out and replaced by others not valid in that practice. Today's practitioner is quite glad to practice their magic on order of convenience, when this itself stands in defiance to the very nature of ceremonial magic itself. Ceremonial magic follows a cabal, a set order, to access planetary and elemental spiritual sources. These do not exist for the convenience of man. If man wishes to access them, he must do so at the convenience of the powers that be. The cabal exists to put man in line with these influences, much like tuning your radio to the strongest signal of a station.

I will not define magic for others, nor tell them what will and will not work - I can only relate what I have seen and experienced since 1974. This is a path I love and have dedicated my life to, and it is depressing to witness it's current state of practice. It is even more depressing to see all who practice poofery even more proficiently than their actual knowledge of ceremonial magic is demonstrated. I must say however, each year there are more ancient manuscripts and grimoires found and even published (most for 3 digit prices!) that supports what I have written here of ancient magic. These go largely unnoticed, because they do not support the current processes of ceremonial magic - which mainly belongs to very late 19th century and early 20th century practice. The ancient is still accessable, but few know or understand it's potential enough to have interest... besides, it is much easier to do something that takes little to no discipline at all, and be approved of by those who live by such so-called arts. The Golden Rule is long forgotten: that effort you to put into it, shall you recieve in kind.

I invite others to discuss this topic, whether you agree or not. However I will tell you that my purpose of this is to find those like minded, or at least those willing and dedicated enough to research this with me. Thanks for taking the time to read this and to consider what I have written,
BalanceDragon

Budge wrote some books on Egyptian magic, that preserved some rituals and the ideas behind them, but a few more talented writers have surfaced since then. It seems that Budge had made a few mistakes in his translations, though not all are flawed. He just did it too much from a Western mindset. The best place to get Sumerian or Egyptian translated rituals believe it or not is University Museum sites and sites to do with archeology or anthropolgy. Getting your info from there is pretty much 100% pure, and not filled with whimsey or some writer's opinion. I found a site once that had to do with some Babylonian seals that were ceramic rolls used for magical operations and the offering of prayers, etc. They translated them to describe how they were used, and right there I had in print a Babylonian ritual. I live with a lady who travels the Egyptian spiritual way, and it is very demanding, but she says worth while.
There are some Egyptian spells in "GrecoEgyptian Magical Papyris in Translation" by Dieter, but these are largely mixed with Greek and very early christian processes as well. It is easy to just removed the non-Egyptian gods from the processes, but some of them may be too corrupted for that to make too much of a difference. There are however, some good solid spells in there; especially both Egyptian and Greek ones, but I would encourage ou to look at the book before buying it. It may or may not be the thing for you.

Mrs. Peel, please don't take me so literally on that phrase. There ARE some in this world you may find think so nearly the same as yourself as to be like - minded. I have met one such person, though it has taken most of my life and much circulation around those who research the type of stuff I research to do so. He, however, is much more published than I, and I find him a much treasured and invaluable friend. Oh yes.. I was born on an island and spent much time at sea, so I know a thing or two about ropes and knots... sometimes they are fun.

Some of the 'spells' in thr Dieter book do recount Egyptian processes, though they are extravagant in what is called for for the rituals.. on such ritual comes to mind involving the head of a hawk and prayers to Horus. Many of them call for being near the Nile as well, or possibly at least some river source. I have this also in pdf format, but it is a fairly nice sized file. Yes, you must do what is in you to do. I have never seen a ceremony done -even when exactly copied from the original manuscript- that turns out exactly as it does in print. Each experience is personal, and so should take only personal president, though others who may take part with you may share a common experience. Thanks for the link.
Of course, there is the guy that's over the artifacts and museums of Egypt itself. I cannot recall his name, but I believe he may have written a couple of books on this as well. It would be interesting to find out.

I don't see much of a problem with ceremonial magick as it is, to be fair. Granted, there is some judeo-christian leanings, but it does not seem overwhelming. Especially when the word "God" is mainly used to refer to the divine as a whole. But that is just me. My advice would to see if you can tailor it to fit your beliefs abit.

If ceremonial magick is defined by Judeo-Christian then apparently that is what it

Just because you find the oldest recipe for a cake, doesn't mean it's going to taste good.

The simple fact is that a lot of ceremonial methods were adopted when the only 'safe' form of spiritual activity was Judeo christian, anything else inviting a lot of trouble.

Also, the people who wrote those books were brought up within such traditions so it would have been easier for them to work in such a way rather than trying to work with gods that they may feel no link too, being too remote or unknown.

At the end of the day Gods are just lenses for forces, the outward expression being nothing more than a convenient representation to our own minds.

Ceremonial magic is not Judeo christian in itself.

Some of the best ceremonial magickians are catholic priests.