This site features the full perspective of the
original 1966 Gnostic Pagan Tradition—and includes updated features &
formulations—small steps on the path to Jivanmukti or The Great Work.
Parallel
Perspectives
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1st Rotation of September
Year of OurSELF 2010
Aeon of
The Conquering Child
- Epok of Horus –
COMRADES OF MOTHER EARTH:
We apologize to Readers re. Problems viewing some
pages & images last month. A little devil was causing havoc with
our connection & file transfers. It's still a bit of mystery & we're
just crossing our fingers we laid the little bugger to rest—even if we don't
know exactly how we did it.
The Wheel of The Year (left) links to an
excellent Wikipedia article about the
Autumn Equinox neo-pagan celebration of Mabon & pagan seasonal feasts in general.
The Wheel
of the Year in the Northern Hemisphere.
In the Southern Hemisphere these festivals are
commonly
shifted by
six months to match the local seasons.
Mabon
has no clearly identifiable place in Celtic lore, and is generally accepted as
a valid Sabbat only by celebrants inside the U.S. However, The Autumn Equinox,
plays a central role in Gnostic Pagan Ritual
and other Mystery Schools
around the Globe. In the language of mythology (a true language, more subtle
& universal than Babel) it denotes the time when The Great Mother mourns
the death of God-The-Lover along
with the loss of her daughter Persephone to Hades. The
goddess Demeter/Isis is inconsolable & heavily shrouded in the black of
deepest mourning. In The Gnostic Pagan Tradition images of The Goddess are
similarly covered with what is called The Veil of Isis. Yet this is not
an unhappy time because one of Isis' greatest Mysteries is meditated upon: Her conception of Horus
through a sacred act of parthenogenesis.
See also,
The Veil of Isis or Mysteries of the Druids
We wanted to reiterate our call last month for
people to become more forthright in supporting the Marijuana Legalization
Movement. This doesn't necessarily require that you join anything,
although organizational support at this juncture is more critical now than ever
(see NORMAL banner end of page.) The intrinsic
value of cannabis to the economy is becoming more obvious each day; we need to
get more proactively involved with pointing out pot's beneficial value for
health care, relaxation, meditation & sacred ritual. You can do this on a
day-to-day basis by learning more about the issue & communicating what you
know to other people. By legalizing marijuana the drug cartels will be
eliminated, people will find a safe form of getting high, and the perennial
budget crisis can be greatly resolved.
Don't be alarmed, we're not advocating
infants smoking, it's just an adorable
picture.
This
is no time to "hide your light under a bushel." We have been in a
social & political Dark Age for way too long. You can't expect people who
are concerned only for their status in society to carry the flame. If we can be
brave & reject the mandate for conformity, maybe together we can usher in a
New Renaissance of Consciousness Expansion, a renewed Self-revelation on the collective
plane. We visualize secular Temples of
Awareness where people ingesting pure Lsd-25 can be safely guided through
the inner dimensions into higher realms of consciousness. People could heal
from the fractured state we call reality by seeing the whole picture, rather
than only what Archons or Oligarchs—or our own emotional/psychological
blocks—want us to see. This will provide a contemporary version of a genuine Mystery School
Initiation. For many people this would lead to liberation from conventional,
organized religion.
Unfortunately, LSD is currently
illegal in the United States.
See also,
Sex, Drugs, Violence & The Bible
From NORML.ORG:
BREAKING NEWS: Tell Gov. Schwarzenegger to Sign Marijuana
Infraction Measure
On Monday, August 30, members of the California Assembly approved Senate Bill 1449 by a vote of 43-33. The marijuana infraction bill now goes to the Governor’s desk for his approval.
Under present law, minor marijuana possession for non-medical purposes is classified as a criminal misdemeanor. While the offense is not punishable by jail time, defendants charged under the law must appear in court, pay court costs, and attend a court-ordered diversion program. Offenders who refuse to attend the program may retain a criminal record for up to two years.
Senate Bill 1449 amends the California Health and Safety Code so that the adult possession of up to 28.5 grams of marijuana is classified as an infraction, punishable by no more than a $100 fine — no court appearance, no court costs, and no criminal record.
Passage of bill would save the state millions of dollars in court costs by keeping minor marijuana offenders out of court. The number of misdemeanor pot arrests has surged in recent years, reaching 61,388 in 2008. Adults who consume marijuana responsibly are not part of the crime problem, and the state should stop treating them like criminals.
Please write or call Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger and urge him to sign SB 1449 into law. For your convenience, a
pre-written letter will be e-mailed to the Governor when you visit NORML's
'Take Action' Center here:
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=16364941
Thank you for supporting NORML's marijuana law reform efforts in California.
Sincerely,
The NORML Team
This month we draw Reader attention to the plight
of Albinos in Africa, particularly Tanzania. National Geographic TV has
produced a stunning new program, ALBINO MURDERS. The persecution of Albinos has
been going on for generations, but today the reason behind it is particularly
appalling: They are being harvested for blood & bones to use in magic
potions & rituals. The terrible "justification" for this crime-against-humanity: despicable witches &
sorcerers claim that Albinos do not have human blood; they are
ghosts who don't die, they simply disappear.
The Nazis used a very similar
"rationale" to justify their murder
of Jews & Roma.
Nations persecuting Roma today have much
to answer for in the Hall of Maat/Justice.
[SELECT PICTURE TO WATCH A FREE ONLINE SHOWING
OF THE INSPIRING DOCUMENTARY
"ALBINO UNITED"
See also,
History of the "evil
albino" stereotype
1.
The Albino
Murders -
Boing Boing
Aug 23, 2010 ... More at this National Geographic online
feature, which includes video: Albino Murders. A related documentary
will air Tuesday night on the ...
2.
Damn Data ¦ Outbreak of albino muti murders | Cabinet of Wonders
Apr 5, 2010 ... The Independent has a more detailed report
looking at the changing reasons for albino murder in Tanzania over the
years: ...
3.
Expose those behind albino
murders,
Tanzania urged | Reuters
4.
World: Tanzania Announces
Crackdown on Albino Murders; Europeans ...
In conclusion, Readers have asked what we mean by
"Modern Gnostic Formulations." This refers to written ("The
Word") phrases that reflect concepts reflecting our participation in The
Great Work, the trans-physical unity Macrocosm/Microcosm, Sacred/Profane/Heaven/Earth,
Here
are a few examples:
GOD
is not a Person
GOD
= The Creative Process of Existence
GNOSIS
= The Creative Union of Mind/Shiva & Heart/Shakti
…
From Review THE GNOSTIC FAUSTUS:
Sophia = Isis = Mary, Mother
of God = Black Madonna = Mary M.
You can go even
further:
Black = The Primordial
Mound (Pyramid) of Egypt/Earth = Isis =
Vulva/Yoni
= Shakti = Anima
Mundi/The World Soul
= The Virgin Mary =
Mary Magdalene
= The Holy Grail
= Sophia
…
From Review THE NATURE & MYSTERY OF GNOSTICISM:
The
"consort" is the Demiurge, or false god [p.78]
whose
formula can be expressed as:
12
angels [the Zodiac]
x 7 angels each = 84
x 3 powers = 252
+ 108 = 360 or a solar year.
In The Book of Thoth,
Aleister Crowley revealed his
Esoteric Equation of Existence:
0
= (+1) + (-1)
- or -
0 = 2
1 = 4
These
represent only a few Gnostic Pagan Formulations.
The
School was keen to distill the 1% of truth &
wisdom
locked in the traditional & ancient
teachings.
This is
a short version of the Gnostic Pagan calendar for September:
9/18—Greater Eleusinian Mysteries
21—Fast of Maat
22/23—Mabon/Autumn
Equinox
26/5—Navaratri, Hindu Festival of
the Great Goddess
Aug 29 - Sept 11: Return
of Isis & Osiris (star Sirius, rising Nile
waters)
Sept 2 - Grape Vine Festival honoring Ariadne & Dionysus
Sept 8 - Birthday of Virgin Mary & DESCENT OF THE HOLY SOPHIA The
Descent of the Holy Sophia falls on September 8th. In the Roman calendar this
day celebrates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and prefigures the
sacred birth of Jesus. In the Gnostic tradition, part of Sophia returns to the
aeons, to her true home, and part of her being symbolically returns to the
lower regions or to earth. She comes to earth to be with us, her children, to
be our consolation and the inspiration of our love. By this image we have the
promise that we are not left alone in our darkness but have Sophia's abiding
presence in our lives. (from: http://www.gnosis.org/ecclesia/cal_mandala.htm )
SYMBOLISM AND COINCIDENCES OF THE GREAT PYRAMID
— Our Favorite
Sight —
Ganga Giri
DVD
Hedwig
and the Angry Inch
Starring: John Cameron Mitchell, Miriam Shor Director: John Cameron Mitchell Rating: R (Restricted) Format:
Gnostic-Gender-Bending
“The Origin of Love”
Jeff Farrow, July 12th
2009
People who know me
will look at the title I gave this review--and if they didn't already think
so--say, "Oh my, now the poor ol' thing's finally lost it."
I really liked this movie. It had all the earmarks of potential disaster for
me. I'm not real fond of female impersonation, particularly in a sustained
artistic form such as a film. Then there are the inevitable comparisons between
HEDWIG and other similar genre like ROCKY HORROR SHOE, PRISCILA OF THE DESERT,
etc. I enjoy comedy, and I also enjoy substance. The world of female
impersonation/drag queens can be extraordinarily superficial, filled with an
angst that can be met with a world weary response like "So, what?"
Let me start with the nuts & bolts, like John Cameron Mitchell's form of
gender bending & his musical lyrics & routines. He conveys a great
depth to Hedwig without being mired in pathos or mere impersonation. Visually
his character(s) are stunningly realistic (given the unreality of the world in
which s/he lives.) The songs are fantastic, somewhere like a cross between
T-Rex & Talking Heads. Some of the animation interjected reminded me of
Björk music videos. Not a great lover of musicals, I found myself actually
looking forward to the next number.
Pertaining to the Gnostic element, a major theme in the film, it involves
Hedwig's relationship with a boy who talks like a Jesus freak, but there is a
much deeper level to his spiritual view--and it interacts with Hedwig's views
on The Origin of Love. Either intentionally or not, it is almost a classic
Gnostic interpretation of The Garden of Eden story of The Fall of Man. The fact
that Hedwig invents the name of Tommy Gnostic for her lover may indicate that
the artist knew exactly what s/he was doing when it came to the Gnostic theme.
I say "artist" because this film is the creation of a great artist in
association with other obviously great artists.
It’s EXTREMELY entertaining too.
Mercurius: The Marriage of Heaven and Earth
(Paperback)
by Patrick Harpur (Author)
The
Great Work Told In A Masterpiece,
[NOTE: If you haven't
seen The 9th Gate & plan to, you might want to read this review later. I
give away the ending here & don't want to spoil your 9th Gate experience.]
It's not often I can again be like a child who has found a bright, shinny
treasure, who is so excited with the find, by the act of its discovery, that he
wants to run about, proudly showing the treasure to everybody crying,
"Look at this, look at this, look at this!"
The shinny treasure is, of course, MERCURIUS The Marriage of Heaven & Earth
by Patrick Harpur. I first became acquainted with Harpur's work while reviewing
his book DAIMONIC REALITY, a sort of light hearted examination of the inner
psychic forces giving birth to such wonders as UFO's, Bigfoot, the Loch Ness
Monster, pixies, fairies and Visions of the Virgin Mary. MERCURIUS is very
different. It's a metaphysical novel, a serious work, but still very acessible.
It crosses borders & surmonts barriers.
It fuses time & cultures as a revelation of inner histories.
MERCURIUS is magnificent.
On one level it is a novel that intertwines the lives & different times of
Smith, a 1950's Church of England cleric (who when off duty dabbles in the
pursuit of alchemy and the Great Work) and Eileen who discovers Smith's secret
when she moves into his house at a later time.
On another level the novel is a sort of modern treatise on alchemy and the
Great Work.
So what's the Great work?
Well, if you're totally unfamiliar with the metaphysical implications of the
term, MERCURIUS will let you learn all about it within the framework of an
enjoyable reading experience. If, like me, you thought you pretty much knew all
about The Work--you may also discover that there may be a lot more to it. The
really amazing thing about this book is how the text effortlessly weaves
alchemical facts into a "great work" modern fiction.
For people who saw THE NINTH GATE, the Great Work is also at the core of that
drama, but while it's close--it's not exactly the same thing.
Pursuing the Great Work is a solitary devotion, it has been known to drive
people mad. The great Swedish playwright August Strindberg (1849-1912) is said
to have severely burned his hands attempting the Work. In THE NINTH GATE the
antagonist who has stolen & killed for the sake of the Work immolates
himself while trying to perform it. Johnny Depp, however, discovers the secret
& disappears into the dawning light--after also having sex with Lucifer in
the form of a beautiful woman.
Patrick Harpur provides notes on each chapter at the end of the book, and the
notes themselves are highly informative, based on extensive scholarly
investigation. In fact, they're so good that I would find myself looking up a
single item, but then another fascinating note would catch my eye & I found
myself just reading all the notes for the chapter first.
An alchemical process heads each chapter: Calcination, Solution, Separation,
Conjunction, Congelation, Sublimation & Projection. Each chapter also
displays its own great alchemical woodcut. These images are very much like
those featured in the Ritual Book of THE NINTH GATE--a work apparently devised
by Lucifer himself.)
Returning attention to the purely fictional aspects of MERCURIUS, you may think
that the metaphysical element might give an over all mystical feel to the book,
but actually it makes the physical more vivid, even more real. The literal
& psychological/daimonic meet in a creative expression of unified
awareness. It took me about 20 pages to "get it" and from that point
on I could relax & enjoy the trip--or I could just read the notes & get
pleasantly educated, not only on the history of alchemy, but also the author's
views on Carl Jung & other philosophical interests. Harpur's
interpretations of Jung are particularly insightful & helpful.
A chapter later, I felt that I reached yet "another level" of
understanding based on the storyline & text. This process--dare I say
"initiation"--continued throughout. This may have been intentional on
the author's part, maybe not. You can't completely pin Harpur down, he does not
intrude in his own story. I'll say this: MERCURIUS is no lightweight, New Age,
fantasy fluff. It is a serious, mature work demonstrating the skill of a
brilliant writer & metaphysical investigator.
The reader who hasn't explored previous works by Harpur, might benefit by
reading DAIMONIC REALITY: A Field Guide to the Otherworld, and definitely check
out PHILOSOPHERS' SECRET FIRE: A History of the Imagination.
NOTE: I plan to post more on The Great Work, and in my research
"discovered" the remarkable film Pi (listed on the list below.) This
is a MUST SEE for people working on The Work. Pi is an absolutely fantastic
movie operating on many levels--including Kabbalah, astro-physics, numerology,
theory of everything, unified field theory, etc.
Daimonic Reality: A Field
Guide to the Otherworld
The Ninth Gate
The Book of Secrets
Plays By August Strindberg:
The Dream Play - The Link - The Dance Of Death
Man and His Symbols
Modern Man in Search of a Soul
(Harvest Book)
Mysterium conjunctionis, tome
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