Atu IX - Orpheus

[Aeon418]

33 minutes ago, smw said:

I understand that 'be Hadit' & love Nuit is quite a simple phrase, but it sits in a complex system using a bewildering amount of reasoning & cosmological rationalisations from other systems...

 

Classical Buddhism was probably the single biggest influence on Crowley. In fact Crowley takes the Buddha's diagnosis of existence (suffering and the cause of suffering, etc.) to be axiomatic. But whereas the Buddha taught a path of increasing renunciation, Crowley went in the opposite direction and developed a spiritual path that results the progressive acceptance of all things. (All = PAN) This is a reason why the Hermit is clothed in the colours of Binah and is surrounded by the Field of material existence.

 

But Thelema, like Buddhism, is an experiential path. To this end the Buddha preached his Eightfold Path, while Crowley taught the Path of Initiation or the Great Work. Both imply direct engagement and movement, not intellection or reasoning. Both paths lead to a state beyond the constraints of the reasoning mind (which is why the Hermit is described as "dumb") in which simplicity is realized. But from the perspective of the thinking mind this "simplicity" can only ever seem complicated and absurd.  

[smw]

2 hours ago, Aeon418 said:

 

Classical Buddhism was probably the single biggest influence on Crowley. In fact Crowley takes the Buddha's diagnosis of existence (suffering and the cause of suffering, etc.) to be axiomatic. But whereas the Buddha taught a path of increasing renunciation, Crowley went in the opposite direction and developed a spiritual path that results the progressive acceptance of all things. (All = PAN) This is a reason why the Hermit is clothed in the colours of Binah and is surrounded by the Field of material existence.

 

That is what I thought. And Nuit, including sorrow is part of PAN.  No beginning or end.

 

Quote

ZERO = Many = Two =One =ALL = Naught

 

This formula has Two  in One at the centre, which starts at ZERO and ends similarly with nothing. 

 

(from p15,16) Elements (or individuals)  can be like multi -gods or supreme beings existing, similar but not quite the same as in Monotheism which pre-supposes a creator. So multi possibilities can play out independently.

 

I guess that could mean that any set of two could then be their own dynamic, however, if using the formula above, together they still create One which is ALL = Naught

 

 

Edited December 14, 2023 by smw

[smw]

5 hours ago, Aeon418 said:

But Thelema, like Buddhism, is an experiential path. To this end the Buddha preached his Eightfold Path, while Crowley taught the Path of Initiation or the Great Work. Both imply direct engagement and movement, not intellection or reasoning. Both paths lead to a state beyond the constraints of the reasoning mind (which is why the Hermit is described as "dumb") in which simplicity is realized. But from the perspective of the thinking mind this "simplicity" can only ever seem complicated and absurd.  

 

Maybe it’s just that the Hermit straddling sense and nonsense, above the abyss in Binah and below in the colours of Malkuth, is just a fiendishly tricky one to pin down in words. 😋

Edited December 14, 2023 by smw

[Aeon418]

21 hours ago, smw said:

Maybe it’s just that the Hermit straddling sense and nonsense, above the abyss in Binah and below in the colours of Malkuth, is just a fiendishly tricky one to pin down in words. 😋

 

I think you get a taste of this in Crowley's generalised divinatory interpretation of the Hermit card. (BoT p.257)

 

Quote

Illumination from within, secret impulse from within; practical plans derived accordingly. Retirement from participation in current events.

 

The first sentence suggests the Hermit as a kind of inner illuminating seed-impulse that seeks to expand outwards into actual manifestation. (Virgo is the most receptive and fertile of the earth signs.) In Thelemic terms it is the Go-ing of Hadit who acts like a sperm cell within body of Nuit to cause continual change or love under will. This moment-to-moment fertilization of reality is experienced by us as the unfolding of events that we call life, in which we are Ever Becoming. (Graphically illustrated in the Aeon card.)

 

The final sentence seems to indicate the exact opposite. There's a sense of withdrawing inwards and a pulling back from life. In an ultimate sense I see this a kind of self transcendence through the journey inwards. The fullest expression of this is the Crossing of the Abyss, where the individual self surrenders to the Universe and thereby becomes totally receptive to the Divine Will (The Brothers of A.'.A.'. are Women) without the ego acting as an obstruction.

 

This reminds me of the process depicted on the Universe card, where the continual descent of the Serpent into existence is one with the raising of the Virgin (Malkuth) to the throne of the Mother (Binah). Instead of a linear there-and-back-again story, it seems to be two processes acting concurrently. The Serpent causing Change whereby the universe experiences itself, occurring simultaneously with self transcendence. 

 

Quote

Naught becomes All to realise the span

Of naught, O perfect Universe of Pan.

 

Edited December 15, 2023 by Aeon418

[smw]

On 12/15/2023 at 5:47 PM, Aeon418 said:

The first sentence suggests the Hermit as a kind of inner illuminating seed-impulse that seeks to expand outwards into actual manifestation. (Virgo is the most receptive and fertile of the earth signs.) In Thelemic terms it is the Go-ing of Hadit who acts like a sperm cell within body of Nuit to cause continual change or love under will. This moment-to-moment fertilization of reality is experienced by us as the unfolding of events that we call life, in which we are Ever Becoming. (Graphically illustrated in the Aeon card.)

 

The final sentence seems to indicate the exact opposite. There's a sense of withdrawing inwards and a pulling back from life. In an ultimate sense I see this a kind of self transcendence through the journey inwards. The fullest expression of this is the Crossing of the Abyss, where the individual self surrenders to the Universe and thereby becomes totally receptive to the Divine Will (The Brothers of A.'.A.'. are Women) without the ego acting as an obstruction.

Three parts of a magical gesture as well, with a practical aspect. This almost has the sense of a military tactic - the advantageous element of ‘surprise’. 
 

Maybe it is a mystical union technique too…

 

Quote

AL III,9: “Lurk! Withdraw! Upon them! this is the Law of the Battle of Conquest: thus shall my worship be about my secret house.”

 

Edited December 22, 2023 by smw

[smw]

I am not quite sure why that verse leapt out at me. It seemed so obvious at the time. Although Crowley’s Hermit is not just the traditional wiseman and his cloak is red, associated with martial fiery energies. I haven’t got it to hand but he think he mentions how the Trumps can turn into each other, moving conjoining. Thinking of the Emperor here, also red and the red & green of the Empress…
 

The rays of light from the burning sun (Star) in the lamp might echo the insight rays of illumination from the eye on the Tower. There is the odd triangular shaped light ray on the Hermit card that Snuffin suggests is a pyramid, It looks like it blocks the other rays somehow.

* (random association with ‘leaped’ - the thrice armed Hierophant, Athena born leaping from Zeus’s forehead fully armed).

Edited December 26, 2023 by smw

[Aeon418]

On 12/26/2023 at 1:55 PM, smw said:

I am not quite sure why that verse leapt out at me. It seemed so obvious at the time.

 

Maybe it's the sense of secrecy or concealed intentions suggested by the word "Lurk." Crowley seems to have been thinking along these lines in the Book of Lies. 

 

Quote

Resemble all that surroundeth thee; yet be Thyself

- and take thy pleasure among the living.

This is that which is written - Lurk!  - in The Book of The Law.

 

The conventional image of the Hermit is someone who has isolated themselves from other people. It's that romantic image of the Hidden Master who can only be found in a secret cave in a remote mountain range in the middle of nowhere. But the real Hermit's are hidden in plain sight, under the guise of perfectly ordinary people doing ordinary things.  

Edited December 27, 2023 by Aeon418

[smw]

On 12/27/2023 at 5:08 PM, Aeon418 said:

 

Maybe it's the sense of secrecy or concealed intentions suggested by the word "Lurk." Crowley seems to have been thinking along these lines in the Book of Lies. 

Can’t make head nor tail of it… 😋

 

AC’s reference to the Leopard who got spots seems to suggest that change is necessary for survival and both predator & prey conceal themselves to enjoy their own pursuits as much as possible - although  just one party gets eaten…🏃

Edited December 31, 2023 by smw

[smw]

Maybe there is a clue in Lurk

 

L=Lamed - adjustment, adaptability 

V= Vau - the Son, 

R= Resh - The Sun

K= Kaph, 11th Hebrew letter,  the palm, spoon  (container) submission, crown, King, Kether 👑 

This might dovetail nicely with the micro son (Star) & illumination rays of the Hermit card, with the macro rays of the Sun card. 

Edited December 31, 2023 by smw