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Hi Lysear

Do you intend to study high magic or low magic? Or rather do your interests lie in evolving yourself or altering your environment? Even if your more leaning towards the ceremonial side of things its still a good idea to have a background in low magic. The amount of Wiccan literature available these days is huge, and even if you dont want to make it apart of your religious practice there is no reason the methods taught wont work. A lot of Wiccan books are a just clones but I could recommend some great ones if you're interested. If you're interested in ceremonial magic then I could give you a nice list of things to read also. Not long ago under the astral chat forum I posted a list of hermetics links with years of information to take in. Parmenion has a good point with starting out with candle magic, fire magic by its nature generally has fast results. Its easy to get started in ceremonial magic because there is virtually an established order in which to learn and practice. When your new to it and egar to practice low magic however often leaves you wanting for something you feel justified in altering. I know so many trendy pagan's who rattle on about being to nervous (or say they havnt learned enough yet) to 'actually try something', its a natural process and with common sence and fundamental knowledge you can have a bit of harmless fun while you learn. Why am I ranting on about this...well i dont know[]    

Well remember that the only stupid question is the one you dont ask, and Im sure Im not the only one around here who enjoys ranting about all things pertaining to magic and the occult at lenght!

best regards

David

Sometimes infrequently as I'm about to drift into sleep I get a huge bright flash in my vision as if it is behind my eyelids, and a cracking noise in my room about a meter away from me. But it only happens when I'm about to go to sleep and its never happened near another person. So maybe it's just my brain[]. I have never heard of or experienced any psychic attack involving a bright flash. Except that sometimes entities apparently can make a click that can be heard in the physical plane as they shift into a space near you.

Other than the strange experience that is your vision going flashy, do you experience any pain, discomfort or do you feel violated or uncomfortable when it happens? Also think back to when it has happened and consider where and when it occurred and how tired you were. Did the person comment on also seeing a flash? Or where they perhaps commenting on your external physical response to the shock you got when you saw the flash? If that is a possibility id consult a doctor, its always good to rule out everything mundane first.  

best regards

David

Oh god I know the feeling metaphysics! I have ruined many a nights trance because of this! I made up this meditation where I free fall through four elemental worlds and feel each elemental force pushing through me. The idea being to help attune myself to the elements, but to also help induce a deeper trance state from the falling. The worlds of fire and air give my full on convulsions, pretty much like a not so violent epileptic fit. The sensation of falling does it to some extent on its own during the meditation. The whole thing leaves you feeling like you have been plugged into a power socket.

If anyone has problems with involuntary muscle movement of the physical body while you are visualizing/imagining moving in a meditation you can overcome this with a training exercise. If anyone is curious Id be happy to blabber on about it.

Best regards

David  

Hi Good Hope

There are many paths that lead to an enlightend mind, keep reading and you will find one for you. For me I am trying to evolve spiritually through the practice of ceremonial magick. I am not entierly sure, but once a person has fully raised their kundalini they may no longer need reincarnate. But this is something that takes years of effort to achieve safely and correctly.

kind regards

David

Thats some great stuff Silent John! Id love one day see a full set with interpretations of the symbolism involved in each one. []

It seems auraseers web site is temporarily not functioning or some such thing, but if the above is a fair description of the information it contains on demons I would like to say, eh?

For anyone interested I found these old threads, full of intelligible information, knowledge and such.

//http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=657//

//http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=399//    

Thats great news mate!

Im glad to hear that you came to such a breakthrough, congratulations. Maybe this is the perfect time to set some new goals regarding your daily and health related habbits. Having taped into your firey motivational side you can achieve almost any personal goal you apply yourself to.

best regards

David

Hi Hephaestus


Whether or not it is an actual entity affecting your dreams or you are creating the entity within the dream yourself is hard to say. But in either case you thinking about negs can bring on both. You will dream what is on your mind and you will also attract to you what you think about.

Hello

What sleep provides the rest doesn't is REM (Rapid eye movement), without it for a prolonged period the wheels just fall off everything, however it is apparently possible to achieve REM during the deepest of trance states. Dreams occur during REM, so it is likely that REM also occurs during oobe.

regards

David

Hello all

"In the summer, if the temperature gets to 20C, it is just too hot to sleep some nights, and if the temperature ever reaches 25C is just way too hot for me - I try to avoid going out in it!"

Please Adrian, never move to Australia mate, that's a nice cool winters day in most places! []

Wow Cainam, you have been having this sleeping problem for a long time now havn't you, I think I remember putting together a little essay on sleeping patterns for you in a post a long time back. Other than hypnotherapy what else are you trying or have tried? Oh and Tom has a very good point with the taking your own temperature thing too. I think I remember you saying that you do shift work at the hospital, one might assume that the body gets used to doing shift work, but the unfortunate reality is that this is rarely the case, things often just get worse with time.

Aside from the possibility of an underlying medical problem (the body temp thing is strange and not normally associated with insomnia), going back to the fundamentals of diet, stress reduction and exercise is a good step. Try to do a good amount of exercise about two hours before your bedtime, if your getting home in the morning go for a run before you go to sleep - even if you are mentally tired. With many sleeping problems the cause is often a very fundamental one, not necessarily an underlying mental one. If you get motivated to become very fit and start to do what ever amount of exercise your body will let you, it is almost certain that your sleeping patterns will improve as your health and fittness does.

Id be more than happy to discuss this with you if you like

Providing undergraduate quality medical advice - David []

Yes...time is what I have!

1. Describe the best feeling you've ever had: It had fuzz and adrenaline

2. Were you named after anyone: No

3. Do you wish on stars: Sure dont

4. Which finger is your favourite?: hmm the middle one

5. When did you last cry:  I think I almost did yesterday, I was fishing and drinking down at the river with my friends and I decided to play on this tree swing, on my way back in toward the river bank I hit my butt on a tree. The wine softened the blow but it got real sore latter on.

6. Do you like your handwriting: Cant stand it, it's a good thing I'm going into a medical profession

7. What is your favorite lunch meat: "Sure Lisa! some magical animal"

8. what is your favourite song right now? Roller Coaster by Machine Gun Fellatio  

15. Do you think there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow: No but last night I'm sure I would have gone to look

16. Do fish have feelings: NO CHOUDER FOR YOU! CLAMS HAVE FEELINGS TOO!

17. Are you trendy: Nope

18. How do you release anger: I lift heavy things and blow stuff up

20. Do you trust others easily: I always know who I can trust

21. What was your favorite toy as a child: A toy gun...that sounds bad huh?

22. What class in school do you/did you think is totally useless: Its all useful to some people, but for me I just could not get into Chinese

23. Do you like sappy love songs: Depends on the style of music, but I can do.

24. Have you ever been on radio or television: No, I've had a few opportunities but I was always to shy.  

25. Do you have a journal: Not really

26. Do you use sarcasm a lot: Yes, and Im big on irony too

27. Have you ever been in a mosh pit: Lots

29. What are your nicknames: Angry Panda, Pirate Dave or PD, and the Jew...all have colourful histories

30. Would you bungee jump: Yes

31. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off: Always, but sometimes when I get home from work I am too tired, so I have a deal with myself to never get annoyed when I need to put them on again, it's a strange system but it works

32. What are you worried about right now: My best friend is a little lost at the moment

33. Do you ever wear overalls: No

34. Do you think that you are strong: I'm tall and skinny so physically no, mentally yes

35. What's your favorite ice cream flavor: Boysenberry

36. What are your favorite colours: Dark Purple and electric blue

37. What is your least favorite thing in the world: Violent and cruel people

38. How many wisdom teeth do you have: Two are coming through, they dont hurt like every says they do so Im confused

39. Do you get really frustrated when you drop things? Not really

40. How many people have a crush on you right now: At this very point in life with recent events I really couldn't care

41. Who do you miss most right now: My best friend Natalie

42. Do you want everyone you send this to to send it back: Well its not email

43. What is your worst fear?: I have a fear or clowns...really

44. Do you talk to your laundry? No, but my laundry talks to me sometimes  

45. When does something become laundry? Visibly dirty  


- The glass contains fluid equal to half of its potential volume -

Hi Jasonlamb

Your on the right track, when your mind and thoughts move into the depressive state every other system is also changed. We know that depression and stress adversely affect the physiology of our bodies, and as you know your aura and energy system is also affected. Once this happens there is a change in how others perceive you, and how you see them, this is always going to affect your environment. So at the simplest level this is how your depressed state of mind makes for an environment that as you put it responds negatively towards you.

On another level the law of attraction holds true, like draws to like. Negative entities are drawn to you, and if you don't take steps to protect yourself this will lead to your life being steered into even worse situations and perhaps your self image being lowered further. The human mind has a fantastic potential to change its perceived environment and sometimes this can work against us.

As far as protection against negative influences goes you might like to place your post in the psychic self defense section of this forum, there are many ways to go about this, and if you have a look through Robert's articles you will find things that will help you. Also Nita one of the forum moderators would be a great person to email for advice, or even to direct her attention to this thread, she is very clever egg (look in the 'the team' section).

And never fall into the trap of thinking that manic depression being caused by chemical imbalance makes it impossible to change your situation. As a child I was diagnosed with ADD and I was a very violent borderline psychopathic person, and I also have always had a mood disorder. I am now a very calm, social  and gentle person, and I am doing very well at university. I still go through stages of depression, and if you know what Fenris is then you might pick up that I can have a guilty attraction to the darker side of things, but I am more reliant on a negative stimulus than I used to be. And my world doesn't crash down like it used to. The more I grow spiritually the less it affects me basically. So the answer to your question of if you can change you energy to give you more positive outcomes in life is a nice big YES. As for how to do this there are just so many paths to take, by making your energy system stronger you become more resistant to negative influences. Look into what appeals to you and improves concentration, your energy system, your strength of will and also meditate frequently. Please post back with all of your questions relating to this.

If you get into a routine of energy and spiritual growth you might find that when you hit a low you lose interest, this is to be expected. In the depressed state you might find (from my experience) that you know deep down you can help yourself by continuing on with your spiritual work – but you feel you should avoid things that make you feel better. Once you can overcome that urge to avoid things that make you feel better you have the upper hand. Does that make any sense?

Anyways I hope I have put something in this post that helps you out, please post with anything you have on your mind.

Best regards

David


- The glass contains fluid equal to half of its potential volume -

Thanks Alchimiste,

In this area reasoning through intuition is just as potentially valid as having hard science. After I do the MPR I feel wonderful, I'm going to do the ritual again but question why this is so, and see what I can feel something for myself. I will follow your advice after I have experimented, there are plenty of other exercises I can do, and I could spend more time meditating than I am.

Regards
David


- The glass contains fluid equal to half of its potential volume -

Hi Auraseer

Sometimes when I'm in the just before sleep mind wandering state my vision has a quick bright white flash and I hear a clicking noise in the room, it brings me right back into a fully alert state. I'm not sure what it is, or if its related to your popping noise, but it fascinates me, I cant wait to find out what it actually is!

Just out of general interest if you want to try something neata friend of mine who is a very successful target shooter I attempt to compete against has trained to lower his heart rate to about 35 Bpm at will (to help create a steady shooting position - most olympic shooters can apparently do it). Before he goes to sleep he  goes into a trance state and wills his heart to slow down. I study Anatomy and Physiology in my degree at uni and this isnt ment to be possible at all, but hey he has proven with a heart moniter he can do it - outside of trance. Just something cool I figured Id ramble about

regards

David

- The glass contains fluid equal to half of its potential volume -

The Simpson's friend me good.

- The glass contains fluid equal to half of its potential volume -

Hi ya Nita!

In Kraig's Modern Magick there is a technique for banishing negative personal traits called the I.O.B (Identify, Objectify and Banish) which to my understanding is a process of constructing a thought form representing the negative quality and then banishing/destroying it. If Bardon's system works on converting negative qualities to positive ones, as opposed to just banishing them, then this surely must lead to greater self understanding then the former. In which of his books would could I read about it? I'm very keen about studying Bardon now http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/images/icon_Smile.gif" border=0>

Kind regards

David

- The glass contains fluid equal to half of its potential volume -

Hi Alchimiste

Thank you, now I know that I actually had a logical question with an equally logical answer, its good to know I wasn't way off track. If its not too much trouble could you please explain your views on the middle pillar ritual. I was originally recommended by you to read this thread after I had shown I did not understand what the ritual is actually doing. I understand that the TOL does not strengthen the Guardian de Seuil, but I'm still unclear as to how the Middle Pillar ritual might strengthen it. I have read in your reply to Kakkarot that his head strong attitude strengthens his Guardian de Seuil, is it the attitude that may accompany bringing divine energy (or so I have always believed I was doing) into oneself that strengthens it? That's the only educated guess I could come up with.

Your advice and sharing of knowledge is kindly appreciated.
Best regards

David  


- The glass contains fluid equal to half of its potential volume -

Thanks very much Ides http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/images/icon_Smile.gif" border=0>

I think I will deffinately take your advice on Bardon, the site also has mp3's that can be downloaded about how to vibrate words, Ive never heard another person do it before so its very useful , and thankyou for your personal answers to my questions.

regards
David

- The glass contains fluid equal to half of its potential volume -

Hi

The Dweller on the threshold was a new concept to me so I've done a little bit of reading. And some things are still unclear.

This site states //http://www.katinkahesselink.net/dweller.htm//

"The Dweller of the Threshold is not the product of the brain, but is an influence found in a plane that is extraneous to the student, but in which his success or failure will be due to his own purity. It is not a thing to be dreaded by mere dilettanti theosophists; and no earnest one who feels himself absolutely called to work persistently to the highest planes of development for the good of humanity, and not for his own, need fear aught that heaven or hell holds."

"It is the combined evil influence that is the result of the wicked thoughts and acts of the age in which any one may live, and it assumes to each student a definite shape at each appearance, being always either of one sort or changing each time."

"At first the minor dwellers of the threshold are aroused"

The concepts given by this site and its author are that the Dweller on the threshold is not a product of ones mind, but perhaps a separate entity in its own right, or as the last quote above suggests, entities. Personally I think this could not be accurate.    


Conversely on another page are some differing views  //http://www.ualberta.ca/~tlorentz/dweller.html//

"The Dweller on the Threshold is illusion-glamour-maya, as realized by the physical brain and recognized as that which must be overcome. It is the bewildering thoughtform with which the disciple is confronted, when he seeks to pierce through the accumulated glamours of the ages, and find his true home in the place of light."

"The Dweller on the Threshold is all that man is, apart from the higher spiritual self; it is the third aspect of divinity, as expressed in and through the human mechanism. This third aspect must be eventually subordinated to the second aspect, the soul." (Esoteric Psychology, Vol. II, p. 312)

"This Dweller is the sum total of all the personality characteristics which have remained unconquered and unsubdued, and which must be finally overcome before initiation can be taken." (Discipleship in the New Age, Vol. II, p. 207/8)

This site is good in that it gives the views of many authors. However the page is put together to suggest that the Dweller on the threshold is a thought form, basically representing the qualities of the Id. Or as I interpret it, The dweller on the threshold IS a persons Id (Ill use Freud's theory, I don't know enough about the Qabalah yet, I would only embarrass myself). This fits with how Alchimiste describes it. Mathias Johnsson described it as "The dweller on the threshold is the dark or shadow aspect of the higher self".  But perhaps is not a part of the Higher self at all, it is the true representation of the most low qualities of our being. The Higher Self and the dweller on the threshold could be the most extreme polarities of our being.

But what has got me very confused is that if the goal is to take a gray and balanced path in our evolution, why do we come to a point where we must overcome one of our polarities?

For example take this quote

"Then the Angel of the Presence and the Dweller stand face to face, and something must then be done. Eventually, the light of the personal self fades out and wanes in the blaze of glory which emanates from the Angel. Then the greater glory obliterates the lesser. This is, however, only possible when the personality eagerly enters into this relation with the Angel, recognizes itself as the Dweller, and -- as a disciple -- begins the battle between the pairs of opposites, and enters into the tests of Scorpio. These tests and trials are ever self-initiated; the disciple puts himself into the positive or conditioning environment wherein the trials and the discipline are unavoidable and inevitable. When the mind has reached a relatively high stage of development, the memory aspect is evoked in a new and conscious manner, and then every latent predisposition, every racial and national instinct, every unconquered situation, and every controlling fault, rises to the surface of consciousness, and then -- the fight is on." (Discipleship in the New Age, Vol. II, p. 207/8)"

Is this really ascending the middle pillar? I'm sure my logic must have got fundamentally off track somewhere to have a question that big. Also if you don't mind Alchimiste could you please explain how exactly the Middle Pillar ritual and the Tower of light only strengthen the dweller on the threshold, this has made me very confused.

I have so much to learn, I'm glad I'm starting this young!

Kind regards

David


- The glass contains fluid equal to half of its potential volume -

If I meditate sitting in a chair I can sometimes see the aura of my legs through closed eyes. Or something I found out during one of my 40hour plus university assignment sessions, is that if I'm incredibly tired or very relaxed I can see the aura of my arm through my 5cm thick desk (again with closed eyes, and with my head on the desk). But then again after 40 hours without sleep and the world of caffine that accompanies it I also see little black creatures in my peripheral vision...

- The glass contains fluid equal to half of its potential volume -

Hi Ides

My reply also got zapped, but hey if that is  the biggest stress I have to deal with all day I cant complain. http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/images/icon_Smile.gif" border=0>

I started studying and practicing Wicca in my early teens, but it was only about a year or so ago that I decided to switch to ceremonial magic, so I'm not hugely well read yet. At the moment I'm working through Kraig's Modern Magick, and I have Regardie's A garden of Pomegranates and Levi's Transcendental Magic waiting when I finish. To be honest I don't know much about Bardon at all, do you recommend I include his work in my studies? From what I've found just now 'Initiation into Hermetics' seems to be the first book he published.

I am practicing the Middle Pillar Ritual, although the concept being bringing divinity into my lower selves, could it also be said that I am bringing my ego and my subconchous together?  I mean are we really connecting to our higher self or our inner self.

regards
David


- The glass contains fluid equal to half of its potential volume -

Hi EnderWiggin

First off I'm an Australian, but hey lets not hold it against me. The changes to my nation however have always paralleled those to America. The big political new here at the moment was an attempt to pass a bill inspired by terrorist activity that allows ASIO (like the CIA I guess) to detain anyone they want over the age of 14, without justification or legal representation on behalf of the individual. I think there is a lot of confusion between freedom with safety. What my grandparents went to war for was freedom, what our troops are fighting for now is safety. Personally I think they are equal in importance. I want the freedom to pursue what makes me happy without interference, but I want to be able to do it without someone who disregards human life taking that opportunity from me.

I guess that freedom and safety from one angle can almost be considered polarities of each other, or at least two things that directly affect each other. At present we have less freedom, because the balance has shifted in favor of safety. To me this is ok because there is an increased need for safety in these times. I'm not saying you have the wrong idea however, because as I said I want the freedom to do what makes me happy, what makes you happy obviously requires more freedom than what I need.      


regards
David

- The glass contains fluid equal to half of its potential volume -

Hi ya Ides

You have made a very important point, perhaps it would be more accurate than to put it that the potency and effectiveness of an intended magical ( yes there could be a better word ) act is increased greatly by ones belief in their ability to perform it – as this aids the would be magic worker to concentrate fully on the task, and to focus their will. However the same system used to perform an intended magical change in reality is available to and used constantly to SOME extent by every human mind. Do you think this could be expanded on at all? I love discussing the mechanics of magic, I hope there is a day when its workings are as just as scientifically understood in mainstream society as gravity. But for now it is up to those who seek the unknown to experiment with it, learn what our peers and those in the past have found, and discuss our findings.

best regards

David

- The glass contains fluid equal to half of its potential volume -

Hi Kakkarot

If we do not totally believe in our ability when it comes to the metaphysical and magic then everything is for nothing and you are just someone else who studies the occult. The step you take when you create total faith in yourself and the knowing that you can do something that other humans deem impossible is in fact not really that difficult when generations of others have done the same before you, and created paths and examples you can follow.

But when we believe that we are capable of something even societies most open minded scoff at, it's a lot harder to take that plunge of personal belief. Yes it may be downright impossible, and in believing you can change the weather you might be branded 'insane'. But as you say it is no more out-there than for example me saying I can create an artificial entity called a thought form to do my magical bidding on some intangible astral plane – using the power of my mind! The difference is there are thousands of people just like me who know they can do the same, which makes it easier to commit my self belief. When we are trying something without the same social support we are inclined to look at what we are doing as an experiment, and question ourselves as to if it is really working. But in doing so we are lacking self belief, which of course is totally essential to success (But there is a loophole to be found). It's a psychological risk to go out on your own like you are, but I would say you most probably have the right mind set to do it and not get burned, I doubt your faith in your ability is easily wavered.          

kind regards

David


- The glass contains fluid equal to half of its potential volume -

With my ability to be verbose, use jargon and dissolve disputes I could make a very good politician, but alas hating yourself is terribly unhealthy.

- The glass contains fluid equal to half of its potential volume -