Messages

De-briefings!  Ba ha ha!  Do you see the analogy?

If you edit your f**k I won't have to do it for you []

ceriel -> cereal -> breakfast cereal -> cornflakes!

I disagree.  The mystic, for instance, feels magic quite keenly; but he is not a magician or sorcerer.   Anyone can learn as much as he can about magic (from books, observation, participation) without ill-effect.   The only downside is that they will annoy Azaithoth, but who cares?

I am acquainted with MANY in the (U.S.) magical community who consider themselves "witches" or "magicians" or "magical practitioners."   However, their goals are primarily MYSTICAL; they simply don't know the difference between mysticism and sorcery. How do I know?  I was one of these people for YEARS!!!!!  I followed the examples around me; what did I know?

The INTENT of most mystic-pagans is to wallow in magical feeling and awareness for as much of their free time as practicable.  Which for them, unfortunately, means weekends and pagan festivals.  Now, of course, wallowing is very indulgent, and most of the pagans I know are very indulgent (and emotional) people in general. So, in this regard, they are in their element.  As for me, wallowing only left me disoriented, confused, and upset when I returned to my so-called "normal" life.   It wasn't until I learned to deliberately use the Force to shape my ordinary-day-to-day that I understood what it meant to be a magical practitioner.  When I figured it out, ironically, I ended my association with the pagan community at-large, choosing to associate primarily with other (real) practitioners.

So . . . my point . . . magic is not the exclusive possession of the sorcerer.  Magic is universal, it exists to be seen and experienced by ALL.  Even the oblivious shape their lives with magic . . . obliviously!  Sorcery is another bag of tricks entirely.

Now . . . whether or not a non-practitioner should involve himself in the occult is another question.  My opinion is:  If you can buy it in a bookstore, it is no longer "occulted;" i.e., hidden, and is therefore no longer esoteric.   It is the Occult Formerly Known as Esoterica!  Call it magic, wicca, call it anything, just don't call it the occult.  

(maybe quantum physics is the new occult, who knows?)

oop!

http://www.spiritualrealist.com/MINDFIRE/CASTANEDA%20TAISHA%20INT%201.asp

oop!  here's another one!


http://www.castaneda.com/english/interviews/witches.htm

note to all!  we don't "ban" by committee in the public forums; moderators like to bring matters backstage, if you will.  So, if anyone is having trouble with another Astralpulse member, please send an Private Message to an active moderator so that he/she may deal with the problem.  It also helps if you provide a link to the offending post.  Thanks!

Shadowdancer, please read that "full of crap" post one more time . . . I meant exactly what I said.  I challenged you to think about how you will respond the next time a well meaning (albeit rude) person tells you that you are full of crap.  I did not say that you WERE full of crap . . . you read that into my message, so you can own that.

Azaithoth, in his rude agressive manner, nonetheless puts forth some important teachings.  His whole thesis here is that magic is a mental art, not an emotional one.  In fact, in magic, emotion is deadly, energetically speaking.  

Given this fact, it would be in poor form for the Moderator to sully this thread with her emotions! Why change a post after it's been written?  That's what the edit funtion is for!  I am more interested in correcting a course, than in rationalizing why I took the wrong one.  I'm not interested in engaging in a tinkling contest - I just wanted to emphasize Azaithoth's point. And that two-year-old comment of mine did not sit well with me after I posted it.

"Thoughtful introspection" is a wonderful thing, it serves humanity well, brings personal growth, improved relationships, etc. etc.. I do it all the time in my personal relationships. In MAGIC, however, introspection is only valuable when done with MAGICAL INTENT; i.e., to achieve a specific, deliberate magical goal.  When introspection only serves to feed the emotions, it is indulgence.

I had presumed by your postings that you were a magical practitioner interested in perfecting your Craft.  Perhaps I presumed too much! I must admit now that Ido not know your INTENT, and so, I cannot say whether or not you are going about things in the right way. I can only ask the question, in keeping with the theme of this thread. If it is your intent to achieve personal growth, a satisfactory world view, the perfect thesis, "nirvana-bliss," WHATEVER! then I have no comment, nothing to say, just go for it and be happy!  

HOWEVER, if you - and anyone reading this thread - wants to be a sorcerer, he should heed Azaithoth's teachings.  Never mind that he's a jerk; there is no rule that states your teachers (and they are legion) have to be nice.  If you want to be a sorcerer, take your emotions out of the process.  When you no longer are upset by people's rudeness, taking whatever information you can TO SERVE YOUR CRAFT, it will be a good sign of progress.

Shadowdancer, that was an interesting reversal!  [)] You wanted me to join in the kind of self-absorbed rationalizing you indulge in (let me add you do it beautifully), but instead, I held up a mirror to you face and threw you a challenge! [:O]  And not in a mean way, either . . . I was not upset, angry, mean or even sneering. I was kinda hoping you'd take it to heart.

Also, check my other posts - - -  I have never referred to myself a sorceress. A real sorceress would have no time to moderate a web forum. My magical practice is haphazard at best. I'm an armchair mystic with the occasional sorceress-moment.  Maybe, someday, I shall be a real sorceress.  But today, I'm just a wannabe . . . just like you!

A "loving" challenge (read: sugar-coated!) is no challenge. If you were a child, I might sugar coat it.  But you're old enough to take the occasional hit.

"The truth shall set you free, but first it will make you angry!" My old teacher had that on his refrigerator, ha ha.  He used to make me SO mad . . . So . . . are you going to look in the mirror?   I dare you . . . .[]

This is the time of year I take out the photos of friends, family and pets who have died; rededicate my magic, and prepare to go into the Dark (winter).   It's a little bit different every year.

I'm packing for a move to the Bible Belt.  WHY in the WORLD would I do that, you ask?  Well, I have several good reasons, the mountains being one of them.  Anyway, every time I drive down there (through Maryland, Deleware, etc) I fiddle with the radio looking for a decent station that isn't calling itself The Christian Values Radio Station.

One day I just got tired and gave up, and listened to the supposed "Christian Values" for awhile.  These people were OBSESSED WITH OTHER PEOPLE'S SEX LIVES!  They ranted about teens having sex.  Gays having sex.  Single women having babies.  Unmarried people having sex. Sex on TV.  Sexually transmitted diseases and abortion. SEX SEX SEX!!!!  There was not ONE TOPIC that was not sex related!  They had an 800 number, I almost wanted to call in!

I'm not saying all Christians are this way . . .  but man! it's funny.

Halloween tips!


When it appears that you have killed the monster, never check to see if it's really dead.

If you find that your house is built upon or near a cemetery, was once a church that was used for black masses, had previous inhabitants who went mad or committed suicide or died in some horrible fashion, or had inhabitants who performed satanic practices in your house move away immediately.

Never read a book of demon summoning aloud, even as a joke.

Do not search the basement, especially if the power has just gone out.

If your children speak to you in Latin or any other language which they should not know, or if they speak to you using a voice which is other than their own, shoot them immediately. It will save you a lot of grief in the long run. NOTE: It will probably take several rounds to kill them, so be prepared.

When you have the benefit of numbers, never pair off or go it alone.

As a general rule, don't solve puzzles that open portals to Hell.

Never stand in, on, above, below, besides, or anywhere near a grave, tomb, crypt, mausoleum, or other house of the dead.

If you're searching for something which caused a noise and find out that it's just the cat, leave the room immediately if you value your life.

If appliances start operating by themselves, move out.

Do not take anything from the dead.

If you find a town which looks deserted, it's probably for a reason. Take the hint and stay away.

Don't fool with recombinant DNA technology unless you're sure you know what you are doing.

If you're running from the monster, expect to trip or fall down at least twice, more if you are of the female persuasion. Also note that, despite the fact that you are running and the monster is merely shambling along, it's still moving fast enough to catch up with you.

If your companions suddenly begin to exhibit uncharacteristic behavior such as hissing, fascination for blood, glowing eyes, increasing hairiness, and so on, get away from them as fast as possible.

Stay away from certain geographical locations, some of which are listed here: Amityville, Elm Street, Transylvania, Nilbog (you're in trouble if you recognize this one), the Bermuda Triangle, or any small town in Maine.

If your car runs out of gas at night, do not go to the nearby deserted-looking house to phone for help.

Beware of strangers bearing tools such as chainsaws, staple guns, hedge trimmers, electric carving knives, combines, lawnmowers, butane torches, soldering irons, band saws, or any device made from deceased companions.

Don't mess with clowns. Nothing good will come of it.

Anything that came from space will surely kill you. Do not poke things from space with a stick

If a zombie approaches you, remember two words: head shot. Preferably with a large caliber gun from a good distance. For close combat, use an axe or a sledgehammer. The brain must be destroyed.

Always wear a crucifix, the larger the better, urban bling-bling won't do.

Always wear a lot of garlic. You won't get a date, but you'll be alive to whine about.

Offer your guests wine. If they refuse, drive a wooden stake through their hearts. Unless, of course, you've offered them any white version of a red wine. Then drive a stake through your own heart.

Remember, even when you've killed the monster, it ain't really dead until you kill it some more. But that won't matter because there's always a sequel.

oh, POOH.  Amateur is fine.  You don't need to be a master, or a professional.  In fact, it's probably better for your ego never to become a "master."  The whole point is the SKILL.

Dance did more for me than the obvious (i.e., power, balance, flexibility).  Some of the more interesting skills I learned, and applied to my magical practice:

how to walk silently across a wooden stage in point shoes (SILENCE)
how not to be seen (STEALTH)
how to spin for a long time without vomiting (very handy on the astral realms)
how transfix-enthrall-cast a spell!
transmutation of sexual energies
how to do a hip drop, chest circle, while traveling, holding a veil, and playing finger cymbals (MULTITASKING in TRANCE STATE)
musical interpretation (EMBODIMENT)

etc.!

Relax!

It is FINE to be a sociologist, just fine!  Fine, that is, if you wish to remain an ordinary person.  Which is also just fine!  We only need a few social-scientists in the occult world, attempting to rationalize the behavior of sorcerers in a way that pleases themselves and the ordinary world-at-large.  Maybe a handful in each generation, that would be good! (PS shadowdancer, I've got a BS in social science).

99.99999999% of humanity are non-sorcerers!  Also, most OCCULTISTS are NOT SORCERERS!  The two words sorcery - occult are not synonomous.
Most occultists are theorists and armchair mystics.  This, TOO, is just fine, as long as it is YOUR INTENT.  If it is, admit it and be happy!

Carlos Casteneda was introduced to the Sorcerer's World through his professional field, social anthropology.  But to become a true sorcerer, he had to leave Reason behind.  (reason=rationalization, a human trait).  The world of social science demands reason, and theories that are pleasing to the minds of a whole society of rationalists.  Carlos managed to move back-and-forth between (literally) two worlds during his training.  But he couldn't keep it up . . . finally, he had to make a choice.

There is no one definition of sorcery, but here is a list of famous occultists from classical to modern times, and what they were like:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_occultists

Shadowdancer, the magical growth process may be likened to a sine wave.  The search for magic/power/knowing isn't a straightforward thing, like putting apples in a basket.  

Rather, you gain power, you forget it, you lose it, you have to start over!

Everything is a test
to see what you will do;
mistaking what's before your eyes,
you have to start anew!

-Hsuang Hua

Anyone might see himself/herself in the examples I listed above. We might be so impressed with our own progress, only to have some very rude-but-caring person tell us we're full of CRAP. MY question is, when it happens to you, what are you going to do about it?  Waste time in rationalizations, or CHANGE?

good topic.

Crazy sociologists who delve into magic are few and far-between (thanks be to the Gods!).  Most fall into the Type II category, i.e., turning to the occult to meet emotional needs.

Examples are legion!  

a. The teenage boy who wants revenge on his peers for some real or imagined slight.
b. The teenage girl who freaks out her parents by saying "I can't go to church anymore; I'm a witch now!"
c. The young occultist who yearns for power and uses his mystique to obtain sex.  
d. The coven leader who wants to work out her family issues through small-group dynamics.
e. The new age groupie who wants to feel good about his/her magical view of the world.  
e. The list goes on! Even the con-artist is trying to meet his/her emotional needs!

What is wrong with using the occult to meet emotional n
eeds, you might ask! I'll tell you:  YOUR NEEDS MAKE YOU BLIND AND DEAF.  The Spirits/Ancestors/Guides/whomever might be screaming in your ear, but you won't hear it!  You won't make important changes to bring yourself knowing-power, because to do so will make you uncomfortable.

Magical development is often more frightening, painful, confusing and bewildering than it is "comforting."  In general, if you are in your comfort zone, you just an ordinary person interested in magic, not a magician.

I'm partial to tantra.  Free, legal, no drugs! Whooopie!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Honestly, there are ways to get high and keep a clear head in the process.  When you're done getting sick off the seeds, try a little meditation in the woods!

Sometimes all it means is that you need a good thick steak and a good night's sleep.  I'm not kidding!

For those of us who can get "out" on purpose, I think it reveals a certain kind of Will . . . Willingness . . . sense of purpose (with regard to OBE)  . . . perhaps bravery . . . that may be absent in people who "try" (such a weak word!) but don't make it.

awwwwwwwwwwwwwww . . . come on, Fat Turkey, it's cuuuuuuuute!

Josh, sorry to say it, but it means setting your alarm for 5:30 am and NOT SLEEPING THROUGH IT.  It means going to bed EARLY!

I can sympathize with you . . . I'm already on the road by 6:30am!  
Which means, I usually save my morning projections for the weekend.  During the week, I value my sleep, but sometimes I will project in the middle of the night, after one sleep cycle.

Also, never, ever, ever give your credit card (or other personal) information over the e-mail!  A reputable company simply would not, repeat, would not do this.  

When a company I have dealt with online has run into problem with a credit card (wrong exp. date, etc), they have CALLED ME on the phone number I gave them, and gave me SPECIFIC information about my order, so that I knew it was really them.

Personally, online "wallet" services make me nervous.  I don't use them!  Maybe I'm just old []

Jeez, everyone wants to be around for the g*dda*n apocalypse. [xx(]

2012 is just a number.  Someone in Europe started counting, from the day of Jesus's purported death.  A year lasts a certain amount of time.  Guess how long:  One year!  So 2012 cannot, will not, come early.  But changes are a'coming, and a lot of people are feeling the effects of the Change.  But sorry, it's not demons, it probably won't happen in 2012, and the world is NOT coming to an end.  We're just phasing out of one kind of consciousness and into a new one.  And this new consciousness will be good.

Sorry to break it to you guys, but there is no end.  Maybe the end of YOUR world, or mine, but the funny thing about Eternity is that . . . it never ends! Fancy that!  It changes, perhaps in ways that are hostile to your life form . . . but, SO?  Your soul is eternal, and where you go after your physical death is largely up to you.  

So, given this thought, what are you doing with your SOULS today?  Getting closer to the Divine, or wringing your hands over chicken-little fantasies?  C'mon, there is REAL work to be done!  Stop speculating and work on your soul, and work on your experience of being human.

Wouldn't it be horrible if, on your deathbed, you looked back upon your life and realized that all you ever did was wring your hands  and wait for the End?  What a wasted life!

mine take only so long as it takes me to think, "WTF?"

seriously though . . . I'm a lot like Jeff in this regard.

"Sacred Marriage between the "masculine" and "feminine" poles"

So in a way, Beav ..... yes! []

(Come on folks!  You don't think the Europeans did the maypole dance for kicks, did you???[])

Polarity magic is at the heart of the Mystery Traditions, though few are aware of its theory and practice.  It recognizes that the most powerful creative force is found in the fundamental energies exchanged between the male and female poles. It exalts, rather than negates, human sexuality in spiritual and magical endeavor.  So  . . . because of this we have Tantra, the Great Rite, maypole dances, the Chalice and the Blade, etc.

wow it's so nice to read Frank again, thank you Leon!

How to get there?  It's a side effect, or by-product, of energy work.  Meditate, my friend!