Serie F brev nr 8

Magazine Overview

This issue of BREVCIRKELN, Volume F, Issue 8, is part of a series of letters focusing on studies in the Western esoteric tradition. The main cover headline is "STUDIER I DEN VÄSTERLÄNDSKA TRADITIONEN" (Studies in the Western Tradition), with this particular section being the third installment.

Christ Symbols

The article begins by discussing the placement of Christ symbols, noting that Masters like Koot Hoomi advised placing them above the head rather than on the heart or elsewhere on the body. This teaching is referenced in Jinrajadasa's "Early Teachings of the Masters." The text explains that the principle of life is not within the human body but hovers above it, a concept explored by philosophers like Plutarchos and Anaxagoras. It quotes Buddha stating that only the uneducated believe life resides within them, and one must shed the transient matter of the body to achieve permanence. The enduring principle is described as a fire burning in eternal light, existing independently of external forms, above, below, and everywhere.

References for Ritual

This section highlights the usefulness of Dr. Frances Israel Regardie's book "The Middle Pillar" and W.E. Butler's "The Magician, His Training and Work." The authors, Judy and the narrator (R.C.), state they are not interested in appearing as authorities or possessing secret knowledge but have gained their understanding through seven to eight years of studying and practicing with this material. They assert that the techniques of ceremonial magic are as accessible as those in medicine, law, or physics, requiring a similar dedication to develop proficiency.

The text encourages readers to acquire these books and begin the practice, noting that Dr. Regardie, who lived in Hollywood, was a student of Aleister Crowley. Crowley, in turn, derived his ceremonies from the "Order of the Golden Dawn." These ceremonies were brought to the United States in the 1930s and sold to Aries Press. The article suggests ordering a catalog from Aries Press and mentions that "The Middle Pillar" might still be available for approximately $4. W.E. Butler is suggested to be a student of Dion Fortune, based on the quality of his work.

The Golden Dawn

The article provides a history of The Golden Dawn, an occult brotherhood founded in London in the early 1890s by S.L. MacGregor Mathers and Wynn Westcott. Mathers, who had studied with H.P. Blavatsky, focused on the Western tradition with an emphasis on its Egyptian origins. He extensively researched occult manuscripts in the British Museum, and from these sources and instructions from "inner plane" teachers, the Golden Dawn's ceremonies were constructed. The work was published in four volumes by Aries Press, with Meade Layne's compilation being highly valued but now difficult to find.

Contemporary books by authors like Montague Summers and Wright are mentioned as good reading but lacking practical instruction. A.E. Waite's works are categorized differently; he was a Jesuit who infiltrated Mathers' Golden Dawn and wrote with a certain spiritual pride. The article suggests Waite's writings may contain more darkness than light.

W.E. Butler's writings are aimed at those seeking or choosing the Hermetic path, described as the path of knowledge, logic, and understanding the laws of the universe. Initiates into this path become "engineers of the solar system," directing solar energy according to a divine plan. Butler's book "The Magician" is recommended for details on the techniques of seeking this knowledge and can be purchased from Venture Bookshop.

Summary of Ritual

The issue then provides a step-by-step guide to the "Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram." This ritual involves performing the Kabbalistic Cross, drawing banishing pentagrams in the four cardinal directions (East, South, West, North), invoking divine names (YHVH, Adni, Ahih, Agla) while breathing deeply and charging the pentagrams with light. It also includes invoking archangels (Raphael, Gabriel, Michael, Auriel) and visualizing the surrounding pentagram and a six-rayed star.

The Middle Pillar Exercise

The article explains that the Middle Pillar exercise is a preparation for meditation or other metaphysical and occult work. It is described as a way to establish mastery over one's world and the forces of nature, emphasizing the necessity of working with angels as the "engineers of the universe." This practice is presented as a key development of the new age, fostering conscious recognition and cooperation with angelic beings.

The exercise is presented as a way to invoke the elemental rulers (Auriel, Raphael, Michael, Gabriel) and establish their authority within one's aura, using their power for healing, protection, or creating positive images. The article stresses the importance of the "First Commandment": acknowledging the divine within oneself and invoking higher powers. Failure to follow the proper order of creation can lead to loss of control and negative consequences.

The Middle Pillar meditation itself is detailed as a subjective exercise performed while standing, sitting, or lying down. It involves visualizing spheres of colored light in specific locations on the Tree of Life, corresponding to the Sephiroth (Kether, Daath, Tiphareth, Yesod, Malkuth). As each sphere is visualized, a divine name is chanted, and a beam of light is imagined descending to the next sphere, culminating in the feet. This exercise is crucial for self-purification, strengthening the body and aura, and developing the spiritual fortitude needed for advanced esoteric practices.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around Western esoteric traditions, ceremonial magic, and practical application of occult principles. The editorial stance appears to be educational and instructional, aiming to guide readers through complex spiritual and magical practices. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of study, practice, and understanding the underlying principles of magic and the universe, as well as the necessity of working with divine and angelic forces in a structured and disciplined manner. The authors advocate for self-reliance through study and practice, rather than relying on external authorities or secret knowledge.