701 There are basically two ways to know God. The first is by way of reason or logic and second, by way of intuitive knowledge or gnosis. We shall see in following paragraphs how the former method may help us in understanding the problems we are faced with in our attempts to know God, and many will see, also, how severelylackingthe pathof logiccan becomparedto that of the gnostic path. In studying the problem of `logical proofs' of God's existence I have come across several historical arguments of which I have grouped into what I call "The Seven Arguments and the General Argument for the Existence of the Almighty." I have labeled these arguments the Ideological (ideo as in idea), the Etiological ( `aetio' meaning cause), the Teleological (`teleo' meaning final outcome), the Cosmological (`cosmo' meaning universal), the Ontological (`onto' meaning being), the Pantheological (`pantheo' as in `pantheism'), and the Psychological (`psyche' meaning soul) Arguments. I will provide a brief discussion of each. 1] The Psychological Argument Before anything can be said concerning the reality of God or of anything else for that matter. One must take a skeptical stance. A skeptical stance would be that of doubting the reality of absolute or universal truths. In other words one 8 702 could say that the certainty of knowledge is impossible and that onecan achieve only `probable' knowledge, i.e., ideas whose validity is highly probable. An example of this would be to say that it is only highly probable that you are reading this page, but that neither you nor I can be absolutely certain of this. Yet probable knowledge implies the existence of absolute knowledge. For instance a skeptic could deny that the objects of his perceptions exist, but he could not deny that his perceptions exist. St. Augustine stated that the person who doubts all truths is caught in a logical dilemma, for he must exist in order that he may doubt. As Descartes, put it "I think, therefore I am.". In the act of doubting one establishes the absolute reality of one's own consciousness or "psykhei". For Augustine the "psykhei" comprises the entire personality of the living being, who becomes aware through self-consciousness not only that he or she is a real integrated existing person but also that he knows with absolute certainty his own activities and powers of memory, intellect, and will. Thus the being `remembers' what it is doing in the act of self-doubt; it understands or knows the immediate experience; and it can will to act or not to act as it does. Hence three aspects of the individual "psykhei" may be described as powers of memory, intellect, and will, or as activities of being, knowing, and willing. 9 703 2] The Ideological Argument Prior to the history of any object the ideal had to exist as the source imparting reality to the particular object. Humanity must exist as a universal ideal before any individual human being can possibly exist. An object's essence (ideal) must be a reality before the particular object can come into existence. Many people, when first confronted by this argument fail to understand it. One fellow thought the argument was preposterous, because he thought it somehow denied that things could be discovered by accident. He gave a convoluted example involving a chemist seeking to invent a glue and in the course of his research accidently discovering a cure for cancer. What this fellow failed to realize is that the notion of a death dealing disease such as cancer and the idea of a needed cure for cancer existed long before this bumbling chemist started on his glue project. Both the psychological and ideological arguments are really not arguments for the existence of God, but are intended as an introduction to the following arguments. 3] The Etiological Argument God, by definition, must have existed as a first cause because every effect requires a cause and this must have been true ofentire universe. Thematerial world iscontingent, unable 10 704 to create itself, hence requires something else, a necessary, spiritually uncreated Being to bring it into existence and impel it to continue its progress. The same fellow who debated the ideological argument said that the etiological argument "hurt his head" and that it reminded him of "the old chicken and the egg argument". The key wordsinthis argumentare"contingent" (meaning,"dependent on chance"; "conditional"), "necessary", and "uncreated" (see the General Argument below). The cosmological argument is almost identical to the etiological argument, yet the wording is quite different. 4] The Cosmological Argument There must have been a time when the universe did not exist, for all things in the universe are mere possibilities dependent on some other objects for their being and development; the fact that the universe does exist implies that a necessary or noncontigent Being exists who was capable of creating the universe. 5] The Ontological Argument Since we possess an idea of a perfect Being (and we can think of nothing greater or more perfect), such a Being must necessarily exist because perfection implies existence. Any idea 11 705 that is lacking in reality (any concept which has no objective reality of its own) would be imperfect, whereas one of the attributesofa perfectBeingis actualexistence(not merely an idea in any person's mind, but real existence external to any mind which happens to conceive of it). The ontological argument is possibly the oldest argument and dates back to the 4th C. of the present era. This argument has caused a great debate that rages to this day in the pages of modern textbooks on philosophy and theology. The key to this argument is "perfection" and the statement: "any concept which has no objective reality of its own would be imperfect" (and therefore not exist) is the thin thread upon which the validity of argument hangs. 6] The Teleological Argument The presence of design in the world, the fact that objects are designed with a purpose, to function for a given end, implies the existence of an intelligent, competent designer, who planned the purpose of each thing that exists. The teleological argument posses problems of its own. The same fellow who debated the previous arguments insisted that he needed proof of a design to the world and that everything has a purpose. The problem in replying to his argument is that I can not think of one useless thing existing in the universe. My mind 12 706 draws a blank in this respect and I would invite anyone to show me one thing that exists in this universe which is without design or purpose. 7] The Pantheological Argument God, the supreme unity, the original Being, and the Ideal of all ideals, has caused all things to become manifest by means of a logical unfolding of particulars from their ideals. To speak of creation is to speak of particularization, a process of unfolding that makes individual objects out of ideals. Conversely, immortality is an opposite process whereby the particulars return to their universal essence or archetypes. Immortality means the return of things to God (apocatastasis), that is their deification, so that there is complete unity of all things in God; pantheism. The Pantheological vision of God is negative in the sense that God can be characterized only in terms of comparison on the ground that the infinite is beyond human comprehension; however not beyond human contemplation. When speaking of the nature of God and using the terms of argument #1 in speaking of the nature of the psyche as that which possess memory, intellect, and will, one may say that God is Omniscient, possessing absolute memory and intellect; Omnipotent, possessing absolute will; and in the terms of the pantheological argument, Omnipresent, possessing 13 707 pure randomness and non-localized in time and space. The General Argument for the Existence of the Almighty is as follows and derived in part from the argument as put forth in How to Think About God by Mortimer J. Adler: 1. The existence of an effect requiring the concurrent existence and action of an efficient cause implies the existence and action of that cause. 2. The cosmos as a whole exists. 3. If the existence of the cosmos as a whole is radically contingent, which is to say that, while not needing an efficient cause of its coming to be, since it is everlasting, then it nevertheless does need a efficient cause of its continuing existence, to preserve it in being and prevent it from being replaced by nothingness. or 3a. If the cosmos which now exists is only one of many possible universes that might have existed in the infinite past, and that might still exist in the infinite future, and if a cosmos which can be otherwise is one that also can not be; and conversely, a 14 708 cosmos that is capable of not existing at all is one that can be otherwise than it now is, then the cosmos, radically contingent in existence, would not exist at all were its existence not caused. 4. If the cosmos needs an efficient cause of its existence or of its continuing existence to prevent its annihilation, then that cause must be one the existence of which is uncaused, and one which has reason for being in and of itself; i.e. The ultimate cause and being of the cosmos. 5. If the ultimate cause and being of the cosmos is that about which nothing greater can be thought, that being must be thought of as omnipotent, possessing absolute will; omniscient, possessing absolute knowledge; and omnipresent; non-localized in time and space. PART TWO Intuition differs from reason in that as man is a finite beingpossessing limitedsensualcontactwiththeuniverse;it is impossible for man to fully understand God through his senses or by empirical means. This, therefore, involves the understanding 15 709 of abstract concepts. We must understand the universe as being "conceptusensual"; that parallel to the objective universe there is a universe made up of abstracts. This abstract universe is viewable to us through means of symbols; objects not possessing objectivity. These symbols cannot be known by means of empirical reasoning, but by means of gnosis; without the conscience use of reasoning, immediate apprehension or understanding. It should be realized that while this abstract universe, that sits parallel to the material universe, and is sometimes referredto asthespiritual worldor heaven,isbeyond logic and reasoning; it is supported by logic and reasoning. You will recall that imperfection or "degrees of perfection" implies the existence of perfection (cf. Arg #3 and Arg #5). Perfection is an abstract ideal having no analog in our material world, yet it is intuitively known to exist. Just as there are degrees of knowledge concerning mundane truths in the material world, there are degrees of gnosis concerning revealed truths in the spiritual world. Because man in his human form is by nature limited there is a certain limit to his understanding and knowledge. Yet as all things are in a constant state of flux and change, man's knowledge is constantly growing. For everythingthat is knownobjectively thereis an abstract idea that precedes the object. The Scriptures speaks about angels and devils, the creation 16 710 of the world in seven days, etc., and many Christian sects require of their followers acceptance of these "revealed truths" by way of faith or trust. Many speak of the Bible as being infallible and without error even when portions are contradictory or counter to logic. I, however, assert that the Bible is first and foremost an anthology of religious/philosophical tradition compiled over the centuries from about 750 BCE to around 150 BCE. It should, in no way, be advertised as a "closed canon" or a compilation of the sum of man's knowledge of truth, revealed or otherwise. The Bible was written by men and is therefore subject to human error. This does not, however, discount the presence of revealed truths within the Bible or within any scripture (religious writings). If any of the above arguments fall short of convincing an individual of God's existence, the one argument that cannot be denied is the argument which provides for the proof of one's own existence (cf. Arg #1). Here we spoke of "taking a skeptical stance"; one of doubting one's own existence. Through the process of self-doubt we become faced with the reality of our existence; we cannot deny the object of our perceptions- ourselves. The question, then, is raised concerning "life and death". One may wonder: "If I exist now, was there ever a time when I did not exist and will there be a time when I will not exist?" We can 17 711 limit this by asking: "Did I exist before this lifetime and will I exist after this life?" Perhaps before these questions can be broached more should said concerning the subject of gnosis. As stated above, the Apostle Paul spoke of ignorance of God as being a form of slavery; and told us that it was our purpose to know (gnosis) and obey God1. This is reiterated in his first epistle to the Corinthians, when Paul gave "thanks to God... that in every way [they] were enriched in [Christ] with all speech and all knowledge"2. In John's first epistle, we are told that we may come to know (gnosis) God, if we keep God's Law and "walk in the same way in which [Christ] walked3. This echoed in John's Gospel chapter 14, verses 20-21; and at verse 26 he adds that the Holy Spirit will be sent to "teach [us] all things, and bring to [us] remembrance all that [Christ had] said to [us]." I have emphasized the word "remembrance" as an important part of the process of gnosis. This will be discussed in detail below. In another epistle Paul spoke of the "riches of assured understanding and knowledge (epi-gnosis) of God's mystery, of 1 See above p. 4 2 1 Cor. 1:4-5 3 1 Jn 2:3-4 18 712 Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge"1. In the seventeenth chapter of John's Gospel, Christ tells us that gnosis, knowing God, is equivalent to eternal life2; and in his epistle to the Philippians, Paul tells us that gnosis supersedes all3. In Matthew's Gospel we are told that spiritual knowledge comes to us through Christ: "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them unto the little ones; yes, Father, for such was thy great pleasure. All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one whom the Son chooses to reveal him.4" When we read the thirteenth chapter of Paul's first epistle 1 Col 2:2-3 2 Jn 17:3 3 Phil 3:8-10 4 Matt 11:25-27 & Lk 10:21-22 19 713 to the Corinthians, we learn that "love" is the key to maintaining spiritual knowledge (gnosis) and faith (pistis)1; and in John's first letter we are told that "he who does not love, does not know God; for God is love"2. Besides the necessity of loving God, we are told that knowledge of truth equals knowledge of God. In Paul's letter to Titus, Paul greets his "child in common faith" by describing that, as an apostle of Christ, his main purpose is to "further the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth which accords with godliness"3. In John's Gospel we are told that the Holy Spirit is the "Spirit of truth, whom the (material) world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you"4. Jesus tells us: "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free"5. 1 1 Cor 13 2 1 Jn 4:7-8 3 Titus 1:1 4 Jn 14:17 5 Jn 8:31-32 20 714 Atsomepointsthissavingknowledgeisreferredtoas a secret knowledge. In his closing remarks to his disciple, Timothy, Paul tells him to guard closely the knowledge that has been entrusted to him and to avoid those who "chatter" about false knowledge1; and in first Corinthians, he speaks of those who imagine that they know, yet do not know as they ought to know2. In second Corinthians, Paul tells us that the mystery of the Gospel is "veiled" to those who have been blinded by the god of this world3. This concept of the "hardening the hearts" and "shutting the eyes"of the peoplecan befound in Isaiah4, Mark5, Luke6, and Acts7. Paul speaks of the process of gnosis as spiritual maturity when he tells the Corinthians that they were "fed with milk, not solid food; for [they] were not ready for 1 1 Tim 6:20-21 2 1 Cor 8:2 3 2 Cor 4:3-6 4 Isaiah 6:9-10 5 Mark 8:17-18 6 Lk 10:23 7 Acts 28:26-27 21 715 it." We are told that Jesus spoke in parables because "seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear"1; and that "not all men can receive this [knowledge] but only those to whom it is given (revealed)"2. He said that in order that those who could not understand, be allowed to understand that they would have to "turn again" and be forgiven3. This "turning again" or being "reborn" will be discussed in greater detail below. In Colossians, Paul speaks of this mystery as having been hidden from angels and men (aeons and generations)4. There is evidence in many of the books of the Bible that books which are known to authors have either been lost or intentional kept out of the Bible for a variety reasons. In his epistles, Paul speaks of epistles that do not appear in Bible. There is evidence of a third epistle to the Corinthians; perhaps one that went between the first and second epistles5; and in his closing remarks to the 1 Matt 10:13-17 2 Matt 19:11 3 Mk 4:11-12 4 Col 1:26 5 1 Cor 5:9 & 2 Cor 2:3-9; 7:10 22 716 Colossians, Paul speaks of an Epistle to the Laodiceans1. First Chronicles speaks of the Book of Nathan and the Book of Gad2; while Second Chronicles, also, speaks of a Book of Nathan and a Book of Shemaiah the Prophet3. In Jude's Epistle there is a quote from the Book of Enoch!4 Could these books have contained "secret knowledge" that could not be understand by all? Turning to the "apocrypha", those books which are not considered by some Christian sects to be a part of the "closed canon" of the Bible, we are able to discover a possible answer to our question. The Apocrypha, or "hidden" books, were never really hidden, but were kept apart from the Bible. Each Christian sect has a different "list" of books that belong in their individual "canon" and because those "lists" overlap each other many Christians today are quite familiar with a majority of the books contained in the Apocrypha. One book contained in the Apocrypha, 2 Esdras, a book that is found in many Roman Catholic Bibles, has the following information to impart to us concerning "hidden books": 1 Col 4:16 2 1 Chr 29:29 3 2 Chr 9:29; 12:15 4 Jude 9 quotes Enoch 1:9 23 717 "Therefore write all these things that you have seen in book, and put it in a hidden place; and you shall teach them to the wise among your people, whose hearts you know are able to comprehend and keep these secrets.1" (It is curious to note that this portion of 2 Esdras was added to original sometime in the third century AD; when at the same time Gnostic Christians were compiling the Nag Hammadi in Egypt!)2 Yet it seems that nothing can remain hidden forever. In Luke's Gospel Jesus prophesies that "nothing is hid that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light"3. Perhaps this prophecy came true when, following the dreadful destruction of WW II, two astonishing discoveries of hidden works were made; the first at Nag Hammadi, Egypt in December of 1945, and the second at Q'umran, Palestine 1 2 Esdras 12:37-38, cf. 2 Esdras 14:37-48 2 see introduction to "The Second Book of Esdras" in the New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha; Apoc p 23 3 Lk 8:17 24 718 in 1947. PART THREE Even in the Bible itself there is found "secret knowledge" that is never spoken of amongst the christian sects that consider themselves to be "orthodox". The best example of this is in the creation account of the Book of Genesis. The opening line of the first book of the Bible has been translated throughout history to read: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth1." Yet if we translate the first verse literally we find it to read: "When the Elohim began to create the heavens and the earth2." The term "Elohim" should not be translated directly to read "God" or "god", because it is the feminine plural of god (Eloah) and should probably be translated "goddesses" or "offspring of the Goddess" . Now, to many "orthodox" christians the notion that there exists "gods", in the polytheistic sense, most likely is a bizarre notion. Yet the early Hebrews were not "monotheistic", that is, a person who believes in the existence of one God, as is usually thought; but, rather, they were "henotheistic", and while believing in a multitude of gods, they focused all their worship 1 Gen 1:1 2 Cf. p 3 note 1 25 719 on their "national god". Examples of Hebrew henotheism can be found in throughout the Old Testament. In 1 Kings, chapter 18 there is an account of the prophet Elijah, a prophet of the Israelite god Yahweh, engaged in a contest with the prophets of the god Ba'al and the goddess Asherah (Ishtar)1. In 2 Kings, chapter 3 we are told that when Mesha, king of the Moabites, sacrificed his son to the Moabite god Chemosh "there came a great wrath upon " the army of the Israelites2. Further on in 2 Kings there is the story of Naaman, a Syrian general who is afflicted with leprosy. Following a raid in Israel, Naaman is told by one of his captives that there is a prophet living in Samaria who has the power to cure leprosy. Naaman then visits Elisha, where he is told to go and bathe in the Jordan river. After bathing seven times in the Jordan, Naaman is cured of leprosy, and as a result he converts and becomes a worshiper of Yahweh, god of the Israelites. He is now faced with a dilemma; as he must return to Syria, he must take "two mule's burden" of Israelite soil back with him. This is done so that he may have a plot of Yahweh's land upon which to offer sacrifice to the Israelite god. Elisha does not argue this matter with Naaman, but only tells him to "go in peace"3. 1 1 Kngs 18:19 2 2 Kngs 3:27 3 2 Kngs 5:1-19 26 720 Perhaps the strongest suggestion of Hebrew henotheism is contained in line from Ezekiel that tells of the women weeping for the Sumerian harvest god, Tammuz1. The Jewish calendar contains the month of Tammuz (usually in the summer) and one of the titles for Tammuz, "Adonai", was adopted by the Hebrews as a title for their god. The phrase "Adonai Elohim" is translated in the english Bible to read "Lord of Hosts". The Greeks, also, adopted "Adonai" and called him "Adonis"; a term used today in the english language to describe a good looking young man. In the New Testament, we are told by Saint Paul that there are "many gods and many lords"2. In Colossians, he refers to them as the "elemental spirits of the universe" or Archons3. Could it be that the Archons and the Elohim were one and the same: "elemental spirits of the universe"? In Ephesians, he refers to them as the "world rulers of the present darkness"4. In John's Gospel, Jesus puts us on equal footing with the Archons by quoting Psalms5; and in Acts we are called "God's offspring"6. 1 Ezekiel 8:14 2 1 Cor 8:5 3 Col 2:8 4 Eph 6:12 5 Jn 10:34 & Ps 82:6 6 Acts 17:27-29 27 721 The scriptures in places speak of the concept of pre- existence. God tells Jeremiah, "before I formed you in the womb I knew you"1. In Ephesians, we are told that God "chose us in him before the foundation of the world"2. Could it be that the "secret message" that the Scriptures have to impart to us is that we and the Elohim are one and the same? That we were present at the creation? That we created our own universe under God's guidance, but because we were not in harmony with each other, because a few us tried to "lord" over the others, because we were not in agreement on how to go about making the universe, and instead of making the universe according to God's design, we made it according to our design, in "our image"; could this be why the universe is such an imperfect place? Between chapters 16 and 19 of the Book of Genesis there is a curious exchange that deserves to be followed. In chapter 16 we are told the story of Hagar, the mother of Ishmael. Hagar, one of Abraham's concubines, is sent out into desert by Sarai, the first wife of Abraham. At verse seven Hagar is met by an "angel of the 1 Jeremiah 1:4-5 2 Eph 1:4 28 722 Lord". Later, after conversing with this "angel of the Lord", she refers to the angel as a "god of vision". She is shocked to think that she has actually seen "God" and has lived1. In the next chapter, Abraham is visited by a being who describes himself as "El Shaddai"2. Most english language Bibles translate this to read "God Almighty", but a literal translation would render it "El, one of the gods". In chapter 18 Abraham, we are told, is visitedagain by the"Lord", and upon looking up he sees "three men". The persons that appear to Abraham in this chapter of Genesis are usually described as being God and two of his angels, yet strangely enough the one who is thought to be God, the Almighty (omniscient and omnipresent) does not know what's going in a city on the planet Earth and remarks: "I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry which has come to me; and if not, I will know"3. After wrangling with Abraham over whether or not he would destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, we are told that "the Lord rained... fire from the Lord out of heaven"4. 1 Gen 16:7-14 2 Gen 17:1 3 Gen 18:21 4 Gen 19:24 29 723 The "main of event" occurs in the first chapters of Genesis. Here is where the Elohim see light for the first time1, and go about the process of the first creation2, that of "calling and creating" the material world3. The Elohim cause a separation to be made between the spiritual world, "the waters which were above the firmament, and the material world, "the waters which were under the firmament"4. Genesis 1:9-31 details this "ordering" of the material world. In Genesis 1:27, we are told that the Elohim created, or developed the idea of mankind in an image that the Elohim perceived. According to Rabbinic tradition this image was the image of the Higher God that the Elohim saw reflected in the firmament which they took to be that of their own. In the second creation, that of "making and forming" the material world in the "day that the Lord made the earth and the heavens"5, we are told that the Elohim actually "formed" man out of dust, but it was 1 Gen 1:4 2 Gen 1:1 - 2:3 3 Isaiah 43:7 4 Gen 1:7 5 Gen 2:4 30 724 only after the Elohim breathed into man's nostrils the "breath of life", did man become a living being1. Yet it seems that the Elohim had made a mistake. In Genesis 1:28, we are told that the Elohim had created man as an androgynous being, "male and female [they] created them." Most Gnostic Christians take this to mean that we were originally intended to posses both soul and spirit combined. It appears the Elohim had made a mistake and formed a "sleeping" soul which they attempted to manipulate2, and when they realized that they were mistaken they found it necessary to pull the "spirit" (Eve) out of the soul (Adam) in order to bring it to life; hence Adam calls Eve "the Mother of the living"3. The events that follow in the third chapter of Genesis deserve to be looked at in detail. In chapter 2, verse 9 we have been told that there are two trees in the center of the Garden of Eden; the tree of life and the tree of knowledge. In verse 17 of that same chapter we were told that the Creator had ordered Adam not to eat of the tree of knowledge, for if Adam were to eat from that tree he would die. In chapter three a serpent appears to Eve 1 Gen 2:7 2 Gen 2:16-17 3 Gen 2:21 31 725 and the following exchange takes place: Serpent: "Did [the Creator] say, `You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" Eve: "We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden; but [the Creator] said, `You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.' " Serpent: "You will not die. For [the Creator] knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you be like [the gods] knowing good and evil." Later, after eating from the tree, and, by the way, not dying, Adam and Eve "heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden"1. It is curious to note that from the exchange that follows that the Creator does not seem to know what has taken place in their "absence", just as they did not seem to know what was happening inSodom andGomorrah orwhat occurredto Cain's brother, Able2. Upon learning what has transpired the Creator 1 Gen 3:8 2 Gen 4:9 32 726 then put a curse upon the serpent, Eve, and Adam. We then learn that the Creator had lied to Adam and Eve when they told them that they would die and in remarking reveal: "Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever..."1. This speaking in the plural is echoed in the Tower of Babel incident: "Come, let us go down and there confuse their language"2. Throughout time the serpent has stood as symbol of immortality. Many ancient cultures upon seeing the shed skin of a snake believed that the snake never died; only shedding one body for a new one. In Greek mythology the god Prometheus is often depicted as a winged serpent bringing the gift of fire to man. Later Prometheus was replaced by the image of the wing- footed Hermes holding aloft the caduceus or "serpent entwined staff" as he brought the secret knowledge of the gods to mankind. These images of winged and fiery serpents can be found in the Old Testament. In Numbers "the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died"3. To counteract this attack, Moses is told to "make 1 Gen 3:22 2 Gen 11:7 3 Num 21:6 33 727 a fiery serpent and set it on a pole" so that when the people see the "brazen serpent" they would not die1. This symbolic gesture of the serpent lifted up in the wilderness is reminiscent not only of the serpent in the garden, but that of Jesus on the cross2. In Isaiah's vision of God, he describes the throne of God as being surrounded by "seraphim". Seraphim may be defined as "fiery winged serpents". In 2 Kings we are told that the "brazen serpent" survived down into reign of Ahaz, king of Israel. It seems Ahaz did some house cleaning and broke the "brazen serpent" into pieces and threw it out. Is this some how a prophetic gesture of Israel's rejection of the Messiah3? CONCLUSION It should be remembered that when approaching the subject of "hidden works" or "secret knowledge" that "there is nothing hid, 1 Num 21:8-9 2 Jn 3:14-15 3 2 Kngs 18:4 34 728 except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret, except to come to light"1. In other words, there is nothing hidden that cannot, or will not, be found. Christ extols us to seek and find, and that when we knock at the door of mystery it will be opened to us2. It can be found that God has a "divine plan" in which God "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth"3. In Acts we are told that the end of time will not come until all things have been restored to God. This "restoration of all things" became known to the early christians as the Doctrine of Apocatastasis4. Ephesians speaks of the "plan for the fullnessof time,to uniteall thingsin him, things in heaven and things on earth"5. Yet what happens to us when we die in a pre-gnostic state before the Apocatastasis? In Mark's Gospel, we are told to take heed of what we hear in the message, for "the measure you give will be the measure you get"6. This is the Doctrine of 1 Mark 4:22 2 Matt 7:7-8 3 1 Tim 2:4 4 Acts 3:21 5 Eph 1:10 6 Mk 4:24 35 729 Metrethesis; the "measure for measure" spoken of in Matthew 7:2 and the "sowing" and "reaping" in Galatians 6:71. This is the plan by which God allows all souls in the universe to eventually redeem themselves in the prison of Metempsychosis. Metrethesis and Metempsychosis are doctrines that are not unique to Christian Gnosticism. In Buddhism and the Vedic religions these doctrines are known as [The text is lost at this point.] 730 The Manifestation of Kali in Universe as an Astrophysical Anomaly By Persona Navitae 353. There is no light, nor any motion. There is no mass, nor any sound. Still, in the lampless heart of the ocean, Fasten me down and hold me drowned Within thy womb, within thy thought, Where there is naught-where there is naught! From "Kali", by Aleister Crowley In the beginning was the KAOS water, the pure creative force of undivided being. Crowley called this "Nuit", which seems to be the combination of the sky goddess "Nut" with the chaos God "Nu", or "Nun". This was the potential for manifestation before the dream of Siva, before the suffering of Sophia that coalesced into the mist of dark reality. This primal force exits in a perpetual state of non-being, always edging toward being. A binary movement sets up from this tension of pre-creation, from a state of collapsed oneness, to a state of open potential. This is the struggle between Siva; the force of perfect order, and Sakti; the force of pure chaos. In Siva is the need to collapse to stable systems, the continual drive for one-ness that uni-fests as the point monad of Kether on the Tree of Life. In Sakti is the need for continual creation, the pure fertile need to populate Universe with the divine sparks of mani-fested intelligence. From these two forces arises the numinous Androgyne. This force exists at the beginning of physical creation, from its parthenogenic fullness it emanates across the Pleroma of the void, and down the Tree to Malkuth. This mythos is at the core of the unconscious and of many creation theories. From the bliss of Androgyny comes the suffering of Maya, illusion. This is the illusion of multi- verse. Sophia, the divine mother of the Gnostics, was conceived of as Androgynous but she broke away from her partner and conceived the physical universe as a polarized order. The result was the creation of ignorance, the demiurge Yahweh. From the primal Nuit is created Babylon, and from her is Isis, but what of Nepthys? She is hidden; present but unseen. Felt but rarely named. In Indian theosophy divine Sakti exists as the primal energy behind the static monad, Siva. She is Nuit in Thelema, and her creation on the mundane level is Kali. In many systems they are considered one, which is rightly so. The job of Kali is to devour the ignorance of static non-creation and re- create Universe with new potential for mani-festation. Left to its own, Siva would freeze up Universe in a cage of entropy. This is known to physicists as the "Heat death of Universe". Heat is not a substance, not an energy. It is a process, "The transference of energy by virtue of a difference in temperature". When all forms of energy, Sakti/Kali, have been equilibrated then no more growth is possible. Any divine sparks left in such a state would no longer develope, all life would stop. 731 The Heat Death is only one scenario. It would seem possible that Universe could go on perpetually if there were some way to re-create it. All matter/energy would have to be sucked back in and thrust out in another "Big bang". This "devouring" is well known to devotees of Kali. In early myths she is known to devour the demons who would upset the balance of space-time. Kali is the Goddess of time, Kala. In time all things die and are re-born. In time all ignorance is replaced by divine Gnosis, if we accomplish nothing else in life we cannot help but learn. Experience is the great teacher. At the end of time there is no manifested existence, just the Satchidananda of bliss-being-consciousness. Kali offers the bliss of Gnosis with one hand which holds the Sangrail, freedom from fear with another raised, with a third she holds the sword that destroys Universe, and with a forth she holds a head to remind us that all situations will change, death is the constant force of new life. She is naked because she has no veils of illusion, and to remind us that the secret of re-creation is in sexual bliss. She is black because she is beyond human comprehension, this also ties in with the freudian devouring mother, who is in the realm of shadow, we all will be swallowed by Kali in the little death and the greater ones. She dances on the corpse of Siva, who has over extended himself in the attempt for divine Order. However, her dance has aroused him even in death and she stands over his erect penis to accept the seed of new creation. In the early 1930's Edwin Hubble concluded that Universe is expanding, and even in the 1920's evidence existed of such expansion. It has been postulated that if there is not enough mass in Universe then it will eventually suffer the heat death of Siva. If there is enough however, then it is possible that the expansion will slow down due to the drag of continual gravitational forces that all matter possesses, and eventually return to a single point where the explosive forces of the dynamic interplay of matter/energy will cause a new expansion. One method to determine if Universe has enough matter to halt the expansion is to add up all the luminous matter. Matter exits in particular, stable energy states. If extra energy is added to a system, then the matter present would tend to jump to a higher energy state. Every element has very particular states it prefers and will not reside in any others. This is the rule of the Siva- Order force in Universe. All chaotic energy states will either jump to a higher state, and stay there as long as the extra energy does, or it will ignore the extra force. When there isn't enough energy to maintain the element in this state, it drops to a specific lower state and sheds the excess energy. When this happens we see it as a burst of light which will be specific to each particular element. By examining the luminous evidence, astrophysicists can determine how much matter is shedding light. According to older theories all matter radiates light, and this could be used to determine how much matter was in Universe. Through these studies, it was found that there is only about 2% of the necessary amount for re- creation. 732 In 1933, Fritz Zwicky discovered that galaxies were moving much faster than they should according to the accepted theories. Speculating from the amount of matter found through the luminosity present, he found that galaxies should be breaking up. The obvious conclusion is that there is more matter present than can be seen. This substance became known as Dark Matter. Since then numerous experiments have been devised to test this theory. Vera Rubin showed that galaxies rotate as fast at the outer rim, or faster, as they do in the inner. If they are less dense at the outer edges, as the luminosity indicates, then they should move slower. Jeremiah Ostriker and James Peebles showed that without extra matter, galaxies would develope gravitational anomalies that would cause them to collapse into other forms than the spiral we usually see. It seems likely that there is Dark Matter in Universe, and estimates now indicate that it could make up as much as 95% of all physical creation. What is this Dark Matter? Nobody knows, but there are many theories. Sub-atomic particles, so small they don't radiate visible energy, Neutrinos, Magnetic Monopoles (one sided magnets), and Gravitinos (bundles of gravity, in the same sense that Photons are bundles of light) are prime candidates. So far neither Magnetic Monopoles, nor Gravitinos have been found. Arcane knowledge provides some answers assuming we ask the questions. If Isis is "Infinite Stars, Infinite Space", then what is Nepthys? Being the opposite side of Isis we have to assume she plays a part in Universe. And, if Kali's re-creation of Universe is possible, then can we see it in the process? The answer to both of these lies in the Dark Matter. In "Mumbo Jumbo" Ishmael Reed referred to "Dark Isis". I found this very intriguing at the time, and later found the connection in Isis's dark twin, Nepthys. She is dark (like Kali) because she is hidden, manifested but unseen. In his book, Reed speculated that she became dominant when Isis was shedding lunar blood (sacred to Kali), this is when the unfertile seeds are being discarded. For the aspirant this is a time of great power, and danger. Nepthys is the goddess of the night magicks, the red magick of Vamamarg sometimes referred to as the "left hand path". Hers is the force of re-creation which is so vital to the growth of the aspirant. IAO, Isis-creator, Apophis (Set, husband of Nepthys)-destroyer, and Osiris-re-creator. In Tantra, Kali is all three. She gives birth to Universe, devours it when all life has expended its energy, and re-creates it from the seeds of the old Universe. It's uncertain whether there is enough Dark Matter to cause the collapse of Universe, but clearly if there is a chance, it is in this manifestation of the Dark Goddess. Her body is the body of matter that lies "between" known spaces and stars, her power is felt in the pull of matter itself, "Love is the law, love under will" is the axion of gravity where all particles seek to unite with all others. Her books are written in the night sky, her rites are the rites of ancient humans awed by the power of the Great Sleep, and equally awed by it's power of re-creation. If Kali/Nepthys manifests at the end of time, it will be as the mouths of numerous black holes, each larger one devouring the smaller, uniting in one undifferentiated monad of space-time, not only matter sucked in but the net of creation on which it resides as well. In the Dark Matter is the new creation. 733 A SAMPLING OF HIDDEN CODES IN THE TORAH ======================================= Here is a sampling of some of the hidden words in the Torah. Since the Hebrew cannot be uploaded, the transliteration is as follows: Aleph = A Bet = B Gimel = G Dalet = D Hey = H Vav = V Zayin = Z Chet = Kh Tet = T Yod = Y Kaf = Ch Kaf Sofit = Ch: Lamed = L Mem = M Mem Sofit = M: Nun = N Nun Sofit = N: Samech = $ Ayin = E Pei = P Phei = Ph Phei Sofit = Ph: Tzadi = Tz Kuf = Q Reish = R Shin = Sh Sin = S Tav =Th The chart below works as follows: The first column is the hidden word. Second column is the location of the starting letter. The third column is the word in the sentence which "houses" the starting letter of the hidden word. The letter enclosed is the first letter of the hidden word. If the housing word appears more than once in the same sentence, the number of the correct word appears here in parentheses. The fourth column indicates spacing, i.e., 49 indicates there are 49 letters BETWEEN the letters of the hidden word. An "R" in the fifth column indicates the hidden word is spelled out in reverse. The last column is just a transliteration of the first column for ease of comprehension. ."AMTh" Genesis 1:1-5 BRAShY 50 R Emet (Truth) ."ThVRH" Genesis 1:1-5 BRAShY 49 Torah ."ThVRH" Genesis 49:28-30 VZA 49 Torah ."ThVRH" Exodus 1:1-7 ShMV 49 Torah ."ThVRH" Exodus 39:8-13 ThChL 49 Torah ."ThVRH" Numbers 1:1-3 MSh 49 R Torah ."ThVRH" Numbers 34:9-12 Z 49 R Torah ."ThVRH" Deut. 1:5-8 ThVRH 48 R Torah ."ThVRH" Deut. 32:3-7 LALYNV 48 R Torah ."ALHYM" Genesis 1:7-9 Th 26 Elokim ."Y-VH" Genesis 1:8-9 ALYM 26 R The Name ."QYN" Genesis 4:13-15 YN 49 Cain ."HBL" Genesis 4:23-25 OD 49 Abel ."MLACh" Genesis 2:1-2 VL 26 R Malach ."ShBTh" Exodus 34:35- MH (2) 49 Shabat ."ShBTh" Exodus 35:3-5 A 49 Shabat ."ABRHM" Genesis 1:22-26 LHYM 49 1 Avraham ."Y-VH" Levit 1:1 VQRA 7 The Name ."Y-VH" Levit. 1:2-3 QRYB 21 The Name ."Y-VH" Levit. 1:3- QRYBNV 13 The Name ."Y-VH" Levit. 1:3 YQRBNV 34 The Name ."MThThYHV" Deut. 34:5-10 ShH 49 Matityahu ."YSRAL" Genesis 1:30-2:3 E 49 R Yisrael ."YSRAL" Genesis 1:31-2:1 HShSh 7 Yisrael ."LAH" Genesis 28:2-6 Ch: 49 2 Leah ."RKhL" Genesis 28:5-6 AM: 49 2 Rachel ."YHVDH" Genesis 49:8-11 YHVD 49 R,2 Yehuda ."MShH" Genesis 50:24:25 VELH 49 R,2 Moshe ."MShH" Exodus 13:18-19 ALHY 49 2 Moshe ."ThVRH" Genesis 28:13-16 ANNH 26 Torah ."MQDSh" Genesis 28:15:16 VHBThYCh:26 R Mikdash(Temple) 734 ."HMVEDYM" Genesis 1:8-16 ShMY 70 R HaMoadim ."Y-VH(Y)" Genesis 1:25-27 VES 26 The Name ."(Y)-VHY" Genesis 1:25-27 HM: 26 R The Name ."ERBH" Genesis 1:11-15 VTz: 49 Arava ."LVLB" Exodus 2:7-11 HEMH 49 Lulav ."HD$" Numbers 4:28-32 ShN 49 Hadas ."AThRG" Deut. 1:32-37 LMR 49 Etrog ."BRChH Deut. 1:1-32 HDRYM 613 Bracha ."RMBM" Exodus 11:9-12:13 BVTh Init 3 Rambam ."MShNH" Exodus 11:9-12:13 ShH 49 3 Mishneh ."ThVRH" Exodus 11:9-12:13 AV 49 3 Torah ."NTzY" Deut. 28:63-64 V$KhThM: 49 Nazi ."HShVAH" Deut. 31:16-18 MSh 49 HaShoah ."HYTLR" Genesis 8:21 ADMH 31 R Hitler ."H$" Genesis 8:1 BThB 31 Hess ."RVML" Genesis 8:20 HTHV 31 Rommel ."BQ" Genesis 8:22 VR 31 R Beck ."DNYTz:" Genesis 8:21 EV 31 Danitz ."MVTh" Genesis 8:3 HYM:(2) 31 R Mavet ."HShVAH" Genesis 8:14 ARTz: 62 2x31 HaShoah 1) "ABRHM" begins with the Aleph of ALHYM and ends about 250 letters later on the Mem of ALHYM. 2) Note the section of Torah this word is embedded in. 3) Rambam appears as the initial letters of "Rabos Mofsai B'eretz Mitzrayim. If one begins in the same pasuk on the Mem of Moshe, the Word "Mishneh" is spelled out. If one starts at the same Mem and counts 613 letters, one then Reaches a Tav, which is the first letter of the hidden word "Torah", thus completing Mishneh Torah, Rambam's famous work about the 613 Mitzvos. 735 An Introduction to Traditional Wicca c. 1987, Keepers of the Ancient Mysteries ( .K.A.M. ) Often Traditional Wiccans are asked to describe our religion and beliefs for interested people, who may or may not have confused us with other Pagan religions, with inversions of Christian/Islamic religions like Satanism, or with purely magical traditions with no religious base. There is a lot of flexibility in the ways that we describe ourselves, and one characteristic of Wicca is a large degree of personal liberty to practice as we please. Still, there is an outline that can be described in general terms. Many traditions will depart from one particular or another, but groups departing from all or most of these features are probably non-Wiccan Traditions attempting to stretch or distort the Wiccan name to cover what they want to do. Mysteries and Initiation Wicca is an Initiatory religion descended from the Ancient Mystery Religions. A mystery religion is not like Catholicism where a Priest is the contact point between the worshiper and the Deity, nor like Protestantism where a sacred Book provides the contact and guidelines for being with the divine. Rather a Mystery Religion is a religion of personal experience and responsibility, in which each worshiper is encouraged, taught and expected to develop an ongoing and positive direct relationship with the Gods. The religion is called a "Mystery" because such experiences are very hard to communicate in words, and are usually distorted in the telling. You have to have been there in person to appreciate what is meant. Near and far-Eastern religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism and Shinto are probably Mystery traditions, but Wicca is very western in cultural flavor and quite different than eastern religions in many ways. A Blend of Pagan Roots Most Wiccan Traditions, .K.A.M. included, have particular roots in the British Mystery Traditions. This includes traditions of the Picts who lived before the rise of Celtic consciousness, the early Celts, and some selected aspects of Celtic Druidism. American Wicca is directly descended from British Wicca, brought in the late 1950's by English and American Initiates of Gardnerian, Alexandrian and Celtic Wicca. These traditions are a little like the denominations in Christianity, but hopefully far more harmonious. While British Traditions are very strong in Wicca, or the Craft as it is sometimes called, other Western Mystery traditions feature prominently, including the ancient Greek Mysteries of Eleusis, Italian Mysteries of Rome, Etruria and the general countryside, Mysteries of Egypt and Persia before Islam, and various Babylonian, Assyrian and other mid-eastern Mysteries that flourished before the political rise of the advocates of "one god". 736 What's In a Name Wicca, Witchecraft, and "The Craft" are used interchangeably at times by many kinds of people. It is fair to say that all Wiccans are Witches, and many of us believe we are the only people entitled to the name. It is important to know that many people call themselves witches who are not in the least Wiccan, and that Masons also refer to themselves as "Craft", with good historical precedent. Carefully question people on the particular things they do and believe as part of their religion rather than relying on labels. Any real Wiccan would welcome such honest inquiry. Traditions and Flavor There are specific Wiccan beliefs and traditions, including worship of an equal and mated Goddess and God who take many forms and have many Names. Groups who worship only a Goddess or only a God are not traditional Wicca however they may protest, although they may be perfectly good Pagans of another sort. The Wiccan Goddess and God are linked to nature, ordinary love and children -- Wicca is very life affirming in flavor. Because we have and love our own Gods, Wiccans have nothing to do with other people's deities or devils, like the Christian God or Satan, the Muslim Allah or the Jewish Jehovah (reputedly not his real name). Christians often deny this fact because they think that their particular god is the only God, and everybody else in the whole world must be worshipping their devil. How arrogant. They're wrong on both counts. Traditional Wicca is a religion of personal responsibility and growth. Initiates take on a particular obligation to personal development throughout their lives, and work hard to achieve what we call our "True Will", which is the best possibility that we can conceive for ourselves. Finding your Will isn't easy, and requires a lot of honesty, courage and hard work. It is also very rewarding. Wicca is generally a cheerful religion, and has many holidays and festivals. In fact, most of the more pleasant holidays now on our calendar are descended from the roots Wicca draws on, including Christmas, May Day, Easter and Summer Vacation. Wicca is definitely not always serious. Dancing, feasting and general merriment are a central part of the celebrations. Wiccan Ethics Wiccans have ethics which are different in nature than most "one-god" religions, which hand out a list of "do's and don'ts". We have a single extremely powerful ethical principal which Initiates are responsible for applying in specific situations according to their best judgment. That principle is called the Wiccan Rede (Old-English for rule) and reads: "An (if) it harm none, do as ye Will" 737 Based on the earlier mention of "True Will", you will understand that the Rede is far more complex than it sounds, and is quite different than saying "Do whatever you want as long as nobody is hurt". Finding out your Will is difficult sometimes, and figuring out what is harmful, rather than just painful or unpleasant is not much easier. Initiation into Wicca People become Wiccans only by Initiation, which is a process of contacting and forming a good relationship with the Gods and Goddesses of Wicca. Initiation is preceded by at least a year and a day of preparation and study, and must be performed by a qualified Wiccan Priestess and Priest. The central event of Initiation is between you and your Gods, but the Priestess is necessary to make the Initiation a Wiccan one, to pass some of her power onto you as a new-made Priestess or Priest and to connect you to the Tradition you're joining. Women hold the central place in Wicca. A Traditional Coven is always headed by a High Priestess, a Third Degree female Witch with at least three years and three days of specific training. A Priest is optional, but the Priestess is essential. Similarly, a Priest may not Initiate without a Priestess, but a Priestess alone is sufficient. Women are primary in Wicca for many reasons, one of which is that the Goddess is central to our religion. One Religion at a Time People often ask "Can I become a Wiccan and still remain a Christian, Muslim, practicing Jew, etc. The answer is no. The "one god" religions reject other paths besides their own, including each other's. "One-god" religions also do not exalt the Female as does Wicca, and mixing two such different traditions would water them both down. Besides, you'd have to ask how serious a person who practiced two religions was about either one. Being Jewish is an exception, since it is a race and culture as well as a religion. There are many Wiccan Jews, but they practice Wicca, not Judaism. Magick and Science People interested in Wicca are usually curious about the magick that Wiccans can do. While magick (spelled with a "k" to distinguish from stage conjuring) is not a religion in itself, it is related to our religious beliefs. Wiccans believe that people have many more abilities than are generally realized, and that it is a good idea to develop them. Our magick is a way of using natural forces to change consciousness and material conditions as an expression of our "True Wills". Part of becoming a Wiccan is training in our methods of psychic and magickal development. 738 Because we believe that everything a person does returns to them magnified, a Wiccan will not work a magick for harm, since they would pay too high a price. But a helpful magick is good for both the giver and receiver! Wicca is entirely compatible with the scientific method, and we believe all the Gods and forces we work with to be quite natural, not supernatural at all. We do not, however, hold with the kind of scientific dogma or pseudoreligion that sees everything as dead matter and neglects its own method ÜvÜŒby trumpeting "facts" without honest examination of evidence. Priestesses at Large? Long ago the spiritual (and sometimes physical) ancestors of Wiccans were Priestesses and Priests to the Pagan culture as well as devotees of their Mystery. Now that a Pagan culture is rising again, some ask if today's Wiccans could resume that role. This seems unlikely. Today's Pagan culture is very diverse and more interested in exploring and creating new forms than in building on existing traditions. A public role would either dilute our traditions or force them on an unwilling audience. The neo-Pagan community generally prefers "media figures" and rapid membership and growth. This is not compatible with our slow methods of training and Initiation, the insistence that livelihood come from work outside the Craft, or our needs for privacy. Our religion is not accepted in the American workplace or political system, and may never be. The most powerful Priestesses are often unknown to all but their Coveners. While all Wiccans are Pagans, all Pagans are not Wiccan, and it is best that it remain so. 739 The Henge of Keltria--a Neo-pagan Druidic organization What is The Henge of Keltria? The Henge of Keltria is a positive path Druidic tradition dedicated to protecting the Earth, honoring our ancestors, revering the spirits of nature and worshipping the Keltic Deities. Our focus is on spiritual development achieved through the study and practice of the Druidic Arts and Keltic Magick. Through training, networking, resources, ritual and communications we strive to provide a religious and spiritual framework through which each individual can reach his of her own full potential. What does the Henge offer? Currently the Henge of Keltria Publishes "Keltria: A Journal of Druidism and Keltic Magick" on a quarterly basis, and an introductory 31 page booklet "The Henge: An Introduction to Keltrian Druidism." Classes in neo-pagan Druidism are offered in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area on an ongoing basis. Campouts and workshops are held on an irregular basis in Northwestern Wisconsin. Future plans include a book of ritual, bardic songbook, correspondence courses, theological journal and membership directory. For more info, send a business sized SASE to: The Henge of Keltria P.O. Box 33284 Coon Rapids, MN 55433 740 ISHTAR: IN HER PRAISE, IN HER IMAGE ----------------------------------- By Pauline Campanelli (Originally published in Circle Network News, under the column PANTHEON; She was called Ishtar by the Babylonians, Inanna by the Sumerians, Astarte by the Greeks, and Ashtoreth by the Hebrews. She is a Goddess of Love and beauty, The Giver of All Life, The Maiden, The Mother, The Crone. As the maiden hymns were sung to her beauty and her love: "Praise the Goddess, most awesome of the Goddesses, Let one revere the mistress of the people, the greatest of the Gods. Praise Ishtar, the most awesome of the Goddesses, Let one revere the Queen of Women, the greatest of the Gods. She is clothed with pleasure and love. She is laden with vitality, charm and voluptuousness. In lips she is sweet; life is in her mouth. At her appearance rejoicing becomes full. She is glorious; veils are thrown over her head. Her figure is beautiful; her eyes are brilliant." --from a First Dynasty Babylon text, circa 1600 BCE 741 TheGoddess has her darkside too. In thisportion of a Sumerian prayer to Inanna from Ur, circa 2300 BCE, she is the bringer of death. In the following lines, "the Powers" refer to the powers and duties assigned to the various cosmic entities at the moment of creation: "My Queen, You who are guardian of all the great Powers, You have lifted the Powers, have tied them to your hands, Have gathered the Powers, pressed them to your breasts. You have filled the land with venom like a serpent. Vegetation ceases when you thunder like Ishkur. You who bring down the flood from the mountains, Supreme One who are the Inanna of Heaven and Earth." In the Epic of Gilgamesh,it is the word of Ishtar thatcauses Enlil to bring the Deluge upon her Children, and in the same legend she brings death not only to her people but her lover too: "When the glorious Ishtar raised an eye at the beauty of Gilgamesh, she said, 'Come, Gilgamesh, be thou my lover! Do but grant me thy fruit. Thou shalt be my husband, and I will be thy wife.'" But the hero refuses her, listing the fates of her other lovers: "For Tamuz, the lover of thy youth, Thou has ordained wailing year after year. Having loved the dappled Shepherd-bird, Thou smotest him, breaking his wing. In the grove he sits crying, 'My wing!' Then thou lovedst a lion, perfect in strength. Seven pits and seven didst thou dig for him. Then a stallion didst Thou love, famed in battle. The whip, the spur, the lash Thou ordainedst for him." And ratherthan marry Ishtar, Gilgameshwent in searchof immortality on his own. Images of this Great Goddess from the land of theTigris and Euphrates appear in many shapes and forms. Some of the earliest may be the clay or limestone figures discovered at the site known as Mureybit in what is today Syria. These figurines from hunter-gatherer villages of 8000 BCE range from the crude and stylized to the highly naturalistic. Like later images of Ishtar, these female divinities are depicted with their hands to their breasts. These ancient images of a goddess are not joined by a male God until a thousand years later and then he remains less important. 742 One common characteristicof the early imagesof Ishtar is thebird-like facial features. These features are also seen on images of the Goddess from the Thracian culture of what is today Bulgaria, the Vinca culture of the Central Balkans, and the Tisza culture of northeastern Hungary, circa 6000-5000 BCE. This bird Goddess of ancient eastern Europe, and the closely related Snake Goddess are frequently associated with the baking of sacred bread. Miniature temples made in the form of the Goddess contain scenes of baking bread being presided over by a priestess. Later, miniature Minoan temples contain images of a Goddess with the same bird-like features. The Greek Aphrodite is often associated with doves which are her symbol also. Like Aphrodite's consort was the Grain God Adonis, Ishtar is the consort of Tamuz, God of Grain and of bread. The "wailing year after year," in the above text refers to the annual death and subsequent resurrection of Tamuz the Grain God, the Mesopotamian equivalent of Adonis and Attis. The pierced crown and earsof figures are also reminiscent ofimages in bone and clay from Bulgaria that date to 5000 BCE (Similar piercing can be seen on bird-faced figures of the Machalilla culture of ancient Ecuador and some of the Chancay "Moon Goddess" figures of central Peru). The pierced crown is repeated in the headdress of figures from Mycenae Greece. When Dr. Heinrich Schleimann discovered figures like these, some had their arms upraised while others had their hands to their hips forming a circular outline. He thought they might represent two phases of the moon. Dr. Schleimann was probably right. The arms of the figure from a tomb form the crescent of the New Moon rising, an ancient symbol of Ishtar in her aspect as the moon Goddess. They also repeat the design of the Assyrian Moon Tree. These upraised arms from ancient Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia. LikeCybele and Attis, Demeterand Persephone, Aphroditeand Adonis, and Isis and Osiris; Ishtar sought to retrieve her lover from the "house wherein the entrants are bereft of light, where dust is their fare and clay their food." When she arrived at the gate She demanded to be let in. The Gatekeeper at the command of Allatu, Queen of the Underworld and sister of Ishtar, allowed her to enter. As she passed thru the first gate, however, she was told she must remove her crown as "that is the custom of Allatu". At the second gate she had taken the pendants from her ears; at the third the chains from her neck; at the fourth the ornament from her breast; at the fifth the Girdle of birthstones from her hips; at the sixth her bracelets and anklets; and at the seventh she had the garment removed from her body. Allatu imprisoned Ishtar in teh Underworld and because of her absence from the World of the living, "the bull springs not upon the cow, the ass impregnates not the jenny, the man lies in his own chamber and the maiden lies on her side." Because of this, the God Ea sent a messenger to Allatu and caused Allatu to sprinkle Ishtar with the waters of life. As Ishtar passed thru each of the seven gates on her ascent, Her garments and her jewels were returned to her. As for Tamuz, her beloved, his fate is not known according to the Summerian myth because the last tablet of the text is missing. In a Babylonian version of the myth, however, the Gatekeeper is told "Wash him with pure water, anoint him with sweet oil, clothe him with a red garment, and let him play on a flute of lapis." As the knowledge of her brought death, so death brought resurrection. "On the day that Tamuz comes up 743 to me When with him the lapis flute and the carnelian ring come up to me, When with him the wailing men and the wailing women come up to me, May the dead rise and smell the incense!" She was worshipped as a Goddess of Loveand Beauty, a bringer of death and the mother of all life: "She is sought after among the Gods, extraordinary is her station, Respected is her word, it is supreme over them. Ishtar among the Gods, extraordinary is her station. Respected is her word, it is supreme over them." --from a first Dynasty Babylonian text, circa 1600 BCE Thepriestesses of Her temples were "harlots" detested by the Hebrews, but, in the words of The Great Goddess, "All acts of love and pleasure are my rituals." Ishtar is one of the earliest manifestations of The Great Goddess and the geographic boundaries of her worship may be far greater than is currently believed. 744 FIVE FOLD KISS FEMALE The High Priest kneels before the High Priestess and gives her the Five Fold Kiss; that is, he kisses her on both feet, both knees, womb, both breasts, and the lips, starting with the right of each pair. He says, as he does this: "Blessed be thy feet, that have brought thee in these ways. Blessed be thy knees, that shall kneel at the sacred altar. Blessed be thy womb, without which we would not be. Blessed be thy breasts, formed in beauty. Blessed be thy lips, that shall utter the Sacred Names." For the kiss on the lips, they embrace, length-to-length, with their feet touching each others. When he reaches the womb, she spreads her arms wide, and the same after the kiss on the lips. FIVE FOLD KISS MALE The High Priestess kneels before the High Priest and gives him the Five Fold Kiss; that is, she kisses him on both feet, both knees, phallus, both breasts, and the lips, starting with the right of each pair. she says, as she does this: "Blessed be thy feet, that have brought thee in these ways. Blessed be thy knees, that shall kneel at the sacred altar. Blessed be thy phallus, without which we would not be. Blessed be thy breasts, formed in strength. Blessed be thy lips, that shall utter the Sacred Names." For the kiss on the lips, they embrace, length-to-length, with their feet touching each others. When she reaches the phallus, he spreads his arms wide, and the same after the kiss on the lips. Farrar, Janet and Stewart; "Eight Sabbats For Witches"; Robert Hale 1983 Transcribed to computer file by Seastrider 745 +-------------------------------------------------------------+ | RITUAL BATH | +-------------------------------------------------------------+ The purpose of a ritual bath is to cleanse Yourself, from the inside and out, of negative energies and prepare your Physical, Mental and Spiritual Self for Circle. A ritual bath is a rite in and of itself. The rite is ideally done just prior to Circle, but this is not always the case. [An example of such is if you have to travel to the meeting place.] After the rite is completed and you must travel to another place for Circle, try to keep your mind in a Spiritual frame as this will aid you in Circle. The bath water should be infused with salts, herbs oils and colors that are harmonious with the work to be done in Circle. To prepare for the bath: Select the Herbs, [it is best to have your herbs in a satchel for easier clean-up] oils and salts [of the same color as the candle] that you will be using. Have a censer and charcoal block ready to burn a corresponding incense on. Anoint a candle of appropriate color [Possibly using the same oil as you are using in the bath water.] If you have a shrine set up in your bathroom there should be a Goddess and God candle present. Have some Holy Water ready. [Holy Water is made from: 1/3 sea-water {river-water with sea-salt added will do if sea-water is unavailable}; 1/3 river-water; 1/3 spring-water {store bought is OK}.] Have a tape recorder with meditation music in the bathroom with you, as its aid to visualization and meditation is invaluable. [Be cautious to have the tape recorder far away from any water and DO NOT TOUCH IT WHILE YOU ARE STILL WET.] A glass of wine is also needed for consumption upon completion of the rite. And your libation dish for the libation to the Gods. To begin turn out the lights and light the candle(s) and incense, turn on tape, fill the tub with warm water and add herbs, oils, salts and a cup or so of Holy Water. With your Athame draw and visualize a Water or Banishing Pentagram over the bath water. All of these tools represent the four Elements; Air/the incense and the scents from the bath, Fire/the heat of the bath, Water/the bath and Holy Water and, Earth/the herbs and oils. 746 Lower yourself into the water and visualize it cleansing you of all negativity. Know that these energies are flowing from your Physical, Mental and Spiritual Self into the water. Relax and enjoy the warmth of the water, the scents in the air and the feeling of being cleansed of all negativity, let yourself drift. Now concentrate and visualize on the purpose of the coming ritual and know that you are truly prepared. When you feel you are ready, pull the plug and stay in the tub until all the water has drained. As the water is draining visualize and know that the negative energies that are now in the water are going into the Earth and are grounded. Rise up out of the tub and do a Self Blessing like the following: Anoint each area while saying aloud: Blessed be my Mind, that learns of Your ways [anointing your forehead] Blessed be my eyes, that have seen this day. Blessed be my lips, That utter Your names and keep Your secrets. Blessed be my breast(s), formed in strength (Beauty). Blessed be the phallus (Womb), For without which I would not be. Blessed be my knees, that shall kneel at thy Sacred Altar. Blessed be my feet, that have brought me in these ways. Pour a libation to the Gods and drink the wine. When dried, robe, clean-up the bathroom and take the libation outside to return it to the Earth. The rite is ended. So Mote it Be! 747 +-------------------------------------------------------------+ | The Triskelion Rite of Tea | +-------------------------------------------------------------+ Purpose: The purpose of this working is to pay homage to the Gods and to reflect on Their blessings upon this your life. Tools: * Herb(s) for tea * Container for herb(s) * Cup(s) and Tea Pot * Decanter of Pure Spring Water * Brewing dish with candle * Scrying Candle Prepare By: Placing a small table or platform in the center of your working space and arranging the Brewing dish, herbs, cup(s), Tea Pot and spoon on the table. Also place the cauldron with scrying candle within for use during the meditation. (Use the diagram, which follows, as a guide for arranging of the tools.) Prior to casting the Circle, light candle and fill the Brewing dish with Spring Water from a decanter. Keep the Brewing Dish covered during the Casting, as I have found this helps the water to heat faster and hotter. +-------------------------------------------------------------+ | The Blessing of the Herbs | +-------------------------------------------------------------+ With the tip of your Athame touching the Herbs, intone this blessing: Thou has grown by favor of the Sun, The Moon, and of the dew. I make this intercession, ye herb: I beseech thee to be of benefit to me and my rite, For thy virtues are unfailing. Thou art the Dew of all the Gods, The Eye of the Sun, The Light of the Moon, The Beauty and Glory of the Sky, The Mystery of Terra. I purify thee so that Whatever is wrought by me with thee may, In all its powers, Have a good and speedy effect with good success. Be purified by my prayer and be powerful! So mote it be! When water is hot enough, place the herbs in the Tea Pot and add water from the brewing dish, give it a couple of stirs. 748 While the tea is steeping, intone this Prayer. Earth Mother Giver of life Strengthen me during my life-long strife. Teach me Your ways of perfect love, Peace, and wisdom true. Spawn from my purest heart These words to You May this prayer help me to better Myself in word and deed, To a higher plane I shall succeed. Beautiful Light of Goodness Fair Lore of old we both do share A Witch's brew, I drink to You My love for You, by day, by night In thought and in sight Will my soul learn The meaning of this life again. Pour out a cup for all present, including one for the Gods, and enjoy. Sit before the table and meditate on the blessings that the Gods have bestowed upon your life. You may use the scrying candle here to focus upon for your meditation. If the Gods so choose They may give you a Message or Vision through the blessings of the Sight. You may relax now and finish off the pot. (Note: this rite is not to take the place of The Feast, but is to be used as a time of blessing and communing with the Goddess) 749 +-------------------------------------------------------------+ | The Scorpio Dragon | +-------------------------------------------------------------+ I am Scorpio and I can fly as high as the noble eagle or play it down and dirty, stinging as if a scorpion, both of which symbolize my zodiacal sign. I have been told so many times that I am passionate, intense, can be green with envy, can be vindictive that I almost begin to believe some of these appellations. If I took seriously what is said and written, I would be making love all night and planning insurgencies all day. I am drawn to the Occult, I am competitive, I desire victory but I also insist on fair play. It is not easy to defeat me because, like the fabled Phoenix, I rise from my own ashes...I come alive when most people would consider me dead and buried. I adore secrets, I am sensual, my psychic impressions usually are accurate, my dreams are prophetic and I am an incurable romantic. I delve deep, I reject superficial responses, I am the probing editor, psychoanalyst, finder of lost persons, purveyor of arcane aspects of the law, knowledgeable about taxes and various aspects of inheritance. I can be jealous, will fight for what is right, seldom do anything halfway, can fall madly in love and I can also be completely vulnerable. Yes, I can be hurt, but I also possess retaliatory weapons that might give as adversary fits. I tear down for the ultimate purpose of rebuilding on a more suitable base. I am creative, rebellious, can be fixed in my views, am willing to take a gamble but prefer a sure thing. I am tormented by the fact that evil exists. Maybe that is why I seem to be a natural healer. I abhor suffering and will risk my own skin to save others. Oh, yess, I can be evangelistic. I am dynamic and dedicated when the cause is right. In the Chinese Astrology, I am an unquenchable fire, the center of all energy, the stout heroic heart. I am truth and light, I hold power and glory in my sway. My presence disperses dark clouds. I have been chosen to tame the Fates. I AM THE DRAGON! Now, listen. If I tell you anymore, you might know everything and then lose interest. And that would devastate me! Blessed Be!.........Sewna, The Scorpio Dragon 750 +-------------------------------------------------------------+ | The Legend of the descent of the Goddess | +-------------------------------------------------------------+ Now our Lady the Goddess had never loved, but She would solve all the Mysteries, even the Mystery of Death; and so She journeyed to the Underworld. The Guardians of the Portals challenged her: "Strip off thy garments, lay aside thy jewels; for naught mayest thou bring with the into this our land." So She laid down her garments and her jewels, and was bound, as are all who enter the Realms of Death, the Mighty One. Such was her beauty, that Death himself knelt and kissed her feet, saying: "Blessed be thy feet, that have brought thee in these ways. Abide with me; but let me place my cold hand on thy heart." She replied: "I love thee not. Why dost thou cause all things that I love and take delight in to fade and die?" "Lady," replied Death, "tis age and fate, against which I am helpless. Age causes all things to wither; but when men die at the end of time, I give them rest and peace, and strength so that they may return. But thou! Thou art lovely. Return not; abide with me!" But She answered: "I love thee not." Then said Death: "An thou receivest not my hand on thy heart, thou must receive Death's scourge." "It is fate - better so," She said. And She knelt, and Death scourged her tenderly. And She cried, "I feel the pangs of love." And Death said, "Blessed Be!" and gave her the Fivefold Kiss, saying: "Thus only mayest thou attain to joy and knowledge." And he taught her all the Magicks. For there are three great events in the life of man: Love, Death, and Resurrection in the new body; and Magick controls them all. For to fulfil love you must return again at the same time and place as the loved one, and you must remember and love them again. But to be reborn you must die and be ready for a new body; and to die you must be born; and without love you may not be born; and this is all the Magicks. 751 MY CRAFT ETHICS Copyright by James T. Crowley III 1986 This article may be reproduced for personal use as long as it is complete and un edited There aredoubtlesslyreaders ofthisarticle thatbelieveI have no ethics. Those readers are entitled to there opinion however shallow I may feel that opinion is. Iam theHigh Priestof CovenantOfThe Doves,the commentsI make hereare necessarilymy personalethicsand viewpointand notthat of my High Priestess or members of the Coven. Even as a leader of a coven, I have no right or power to speak for another person. They do however necessarily govern my actions as a High Priest. The only way I know to state my ethical viewpoint is by a annotated recitationof theLawsof theCraft ofthe Wiseasthey pertain to ethics and have been revealed to me by my teachers, thewritings ofothers andthatwhich theLord andLady havemade clear to me through their visions and actions. I bear the mundane name Crowley that has a certain significance in the craft community beyond my personal contributions. Yes, I amprovedof thelegacy ofthat nameas membersof myfamily have played important parts in history. Aleister Crowley was by no means the most important of them nor the least. Aleister Crowley, the Current Lord Crowley and myself all bear common ancestorstoSir AmbroseCrowley,Lord MayorofLondon (at the time of Cromwell) and author of the 'Law Book of the Crowley Iron Works' which is considered to be the bases of British statutory law. This, I hope will clear up confusion about my relationship to Aleister Crowley. The name Hearth Witch is far more dear to me than Crowley, as it represents a true understanding of what the WICCA is. When an astronaut looks out of the window of his space capsule and sees the body of our Lady looking back at him. The astronaut knows, in that moment that technology, and the centuries of mans' labor that put him there, are pale when compared to the wonders of our Lady. 752 MY CRAFT ETHICS BY JAMES CROWLEY III 12/19/86 I feel that it is necessary to explain some of the structure of the Covenant of the Doves. We say that we have one degree but that is not strictly true. There are 4 things that happen to a person on the pathway. We cannot call them degrees as they do not happen in the same order to each person. 1. Dedication to the coven. 2. Initiation by the God and Goddess 3. Worldly recognition of their Initiation by the Gods and their ability to act as a Priest or Priestess 4. Birth or Adoption into the family which is as permanent and unrevokable as the Initiation of the Lord and Lady. THE WITCH 'LAW' Do not what you desire - do what is necessary. Take all you are given - give all of yourself. "What I have - - - I hold." When all else is lost, and not until then, prepare to die with dignity. There are two kinds of law, Law of Tribe and the Law of Goddess (ie: natural law). The Law of Tribe requires the services of a Priesthood. The Law of the Goddess require no Priesthood as they are self-enforcing. If you see an apparent violation of the law of the Goddess, there are only two possible explanations. The law is not of the Goddess but of man, or you do not understand that law of the Goddess. If you see a ball fall up, either someone is deceiving you, or you are in a spacecraft or similar artificial environment that is manifesting some of the "fine print" in the law of the Goddess. This partial telling of the laws contain both the law of the tribe and that of the Goddess. It is left to the wisdom of the student to learn which is which. THE LEADERSHIP OF THE COVEN The High Priestess must be an ordained Nymph or a Crone. The High Priest must be an ordained Magician. The High Priestess is the final word on the quality of Worship as the High Priest is the final word on the quality of Magick within the WICCA Circles. The High Priest's relationship is: Father, Brother, and Lover. The Priestess's relationship is: Mother, Sister, and Lover. 753 THE PRIEST AND PRIESTESS ARE THE LEADERS OF THE COVEN IN THE MUNDANE WORLD, NOT IT'S DICTATORS. MEMBERS MUST BE GIVEN A VOICE IN THE ACTIONS OF THE COVEN. The Covenant of the Doves is necessarily a theocracy not a democracy. Meetings are opened to all who are dedicated and sometimes to concerned outsiders. Whatever the business, it is open to discussion by all. There are no votes taken because when it is all said and done, there are only two people in the coven that bear the responsibility for the actions of this coven, the High Priestess and the High Priest. So, the final decision is theirs ALONE. When the Circle is cast by The Priest and Priestess, they are necessarily the ABSOLUTE RULERS OF THE COVEN. No witch shall enter the Circle with out PERFECT LOVE AND PERFECT TRUST in all members of the Circle. The only question of the order of the Priest or Priestess is: if told to jump, it is permissible to ask how high -- on the way up. IFONEDISAGREES WITHTHE DECISIONOF THELEADERSOF ANYCOVEN OR CIRCLE. IT IS THERERIGHT AND DUTYTO LEAVE THECOVEN. THEREIS NO OTHER LAWFUL RECOURSE. LEADERS MUST BE EVER MINDFUL THAT MEMBERS WILL SOON LEAVE AN UNJUST LEADER. THE LAW OF THE COVEN THE CIRCLE IS A PLACE THAT IS NOT A PLACE, BETWEEN THE WORLDS. A COVEN IS A FULLY AUTONOMOUS UNIT ANSWERABLE TO NO POWER BEYOND ITS OWN, SAVE THE LORD AND LADY. IN ANY DISPUTE WITHIN THE FAMILY (COVEN) OR TRIBE, NO ONE MAY INVOKE ANY LAW BUT THOSE OF THE FAMILY AND TRIBE. It being known that the Circle is a "place that is not a place, between the worlds", and that what is between the Worlds does not concern the World. Discussion of actions taking place within a consecrated circle is appropriate for discussion only within that Circle, or by Elders of the Craft in a Council of Elders Convened by the High Priest and High Priestess of the coven involved as only Elders can or should have any direct knowledge of actions that take place within the Circle of another Coven. With the fragmentation of the WICCA since the burning times, the identification of Elders of the Craft is at best ambiguous. The only working definition that I can feel comfortable with is: Those members of the WICCA community that the High Priest and High Priestess of the Coven recognize as their peers regardless of what rank they hold in other circles. 754 THE WORD OF A WITCH NEED NO BOND OR CONTRACT. IT IS NECESSARILY TRUE AND FREE OF EQUIVOCATION. We make it clear to all around us that we do not tolerate lying. If it is on the part of a friend or an acquaintance, we will cease contact with them, if necessary. If it is a member of the craft, we do not willingly stand in the same circle with them. If they are a student, this is one of the few areas that we will invoke banishment as a punishment (or, if there are extenuating circumstancesand thepersonis ofextremevalue tothe covenand the Craft, we will consider corporal punishment or an equivalent alternative proposed by the student to balance the wrong done to the Coven, in lieu of banishment). If they are an Initiate, it is necessarily more harmful to the family, and therefore, more serious. PERFECT LOVEANDPERFECT TRUST(my fingerswantedto typelove is the law) Perfect love and perfect trust are not words spoken in blind faith. They do not mean a blanket trust. Perfect love and perfect trust are what was in the hearts of the few, and most dear, that when they heard rumors, first came to us and said "what are these rumors about...". These people knew that as fallible as we are, these rumors were not a reflection of our will. These people sought to know what happened, not to satisfy any of their own devices or to judge us, but to share our pain and the load. These people are of different traditions and levels of worldly Craft learning, but these people will always hold a place in my heart second only to my brothers and sisters that are literally of the My Family. THERE ARE THREE KINDS OF SECRETS IN THE WICCA CIRCLE AND ALL ARE INVIOLATE EXCEPT IN AN ELDER CIRCLE, AND THEN ONLY TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY ARE RELATIVE TO CRAFT BUSINESS AND HELD IN THAT ELDER CIRCLE. 1. Secrets that are within the Circles that are private to the members of that coven. (ie: when Charlie has a few drinks he..... 2. The secret held by the High Priestess and High Priest of the inside and outside Circle affairs of the coven members, due to their office. 3. The social and magick practices of the Craft that cannot be talked of outside of the Wicca without being taken out of context and sensationalized. 755 THERE ARE AS MANY WAYS TO LOVE THE GODDESS AS SHE HAS NAMES. All ways of loving the Goddess are correct. None are Wrong as long as they are based in love. Say not "they are wrong" say "they are a different path from mine". Until you know in your heart that you have found your path, do not deny any wicca path that you have not walked. When you find your path, still walk other paths with your brothers and sisters in joy and love. "THE WICCA SHALL BE NAKED IN THERE RITE" All mankind is naked before God and Goddess. NO STRANGER NOT BORN IN THE FAMILY SHALL LEAD THE FAMILY OR A TOTEM OF THE FAMILY. NO ONE WHO RALLIES AGAINST HIS FAMILY OR TRIBE SHALL BE KEPT IN BANISHMENT PAST 14 YEARS AFTER THE EVENT, IF THAT UNDO THE HARM CAUSED. NO ONE WHO EXTENDED THEMSELVES IN THE SUPPORT OF THEIR FAMILY OR TRIBE SHALL BE BANISHED FOR OLD AGE OR THE ACTIONS OF INFIRMITY. IT IS NECESSARY THAT SCRYING, VISIONS, ASPECTING AND ALL OTHER APPARENT VISIONS OF OUR LORD AND LADY BE QUESTIONED. IT IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR REBIRTH THAT WE KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT OUR OWN WISHFUL THINKING OR PRIDE, IF THERE BE THE LEAST DOUBT, THE VISION MUST BE DENIED. If a true vision is denied by the initiated, the Lady will underline the truth in the vision in an unquestionable form. If this underlining comes as a punishment, it is still a small price to pay when compared to the consequences of a false vision. IFEVER ANYOF THETRIBE NEEDA HOUSEOR LANDAND NONEWILL SELL, THEN CRAFTMAY BEUSED TO INCLINETHE OWNERS TOSELL, PROVIDEDIT HARMETH HIM NOT, AND THE FULL PRICE IS PAID WITHOUT HAGGLING. NEVER BARGAIN OR CHEAPEN ANYTHING YOU BUY BY THE ART. NOMAN,WOMAN, HIGHPRIESTESS,OR HIGHPRIEST CANSAYWHAT "HARMS NONE". The answer to this is for the Gods, not man. A just action may well harm someone in some way in the mundane world (every action has an equal and opposite reaction). It is always best to give the action and the power to the Goddess, and abide by her will. If it cannot be given to her after due consideration, then one must actin themostjust formthat ispossible, freelytakingon to our selves all adverse reaction of an error in judgment. 756 NO ONE MAY DO ANYTHING WHICH WILL ENDANGER ANY OF THE TRIBE OR BRING THEM INTO CONTACT WITH THE LAW OF THE LAND. THE ART MAY ONLY BE USED IN ERNEST AND NEVER FOR SHOW OR VAIN GLORY. NO PERSON MAY BE WARNED OF HIS FATE MORE THAN THREE TIMES. MAIDEN: (Youngsters still new to the Craft, or older ones who do ritual work and do not mind publicity.) Young people oriented to cope with, and the ability to handle publicity. Some knowledge of occult and the Craft both in its practical and religious aspects is necessary. Childless women, virgins; Warm friendly people with good powers of projection. NYMPHS - (Do the bulk of ritual work, young adults.) Creative people, artists, dancers, singers, etc. Very mature, rational and responsible. Intuitive and uninhibited. Knowledge of Craft and occultism, etc. necessary. Dislikes publicity. CRONES: (executive branch - teachers of neophytes, makes judg- ments, etc.) Must be sober and serious, but with a sense of humor, very mature in most all ways, intuitive of the true nature and inner working of things. Older folks, intellectual, Masters of there Craft, and dislike publicity. No woman shall be a Maiden who has not been in her courses. No woman shall be ordained unless she has passed her 17th year, nor shall she have her ordination recognized until that time. No woman shall have her ordination recognized unless she is in her courses, has ten fingers, ten toes, two eyes, two ears, a nose. Her generative organs and breasts must be complete. The honorable loss of limbs or the effects of torture following ordination shall not invalidate the ordination. No woman shall be a Nymph who has not coupled. No woman shall be a Crone who has not given birth. No man shall be a Magician who has not healed. No man shall be ordained unless he has passed his 33rd year, nor shall he have his ordination recognized until that time. No man shall have his ordination recognized unless he is the father of a living child, has ten fingers and ten toes, two eyes, two ears and a nose and generative organs complete. The honorable loss of limbs or the effects of torture following ordination shall not invalidate the ordination. In their youth, let those who cannot swing the axe till the field. Those who cannot till the field carry water. Those who cannot carry water, nor till the field, nor chase, nor battle, nor be of service to their family or tribe, let them leave it. 757 None shall be kept as a child forever. Better that they be banished if they cannot grow in mind. INITIATION NO PERSON MAY BE CALLED TO INITIATION MORE THAN THREE TIMES. NO PERSON MAY BE INITIATED WHO HAS LESS THAN 20 YEARS OF LIFE LEFT TO THEM AT THE TIME OF INITIATION. No High Priestess or High Priest of the WICCA can cause an initiationto takeplace. Initiation isinthe handsof theLord and Lady. The teachercan only providethe environmentthat will aide in the initiation if the God and Goddess so will it. If one questions the validity of their own initiation, there can be but one answer, the initiation did not take place. An initiation by the Gods will be remembered. Letyour judgmenton matterswhich youmake befit tothesize of the case, not to your feelings. Let your heart not rule your mind, nor mind your heart, but bear a balance as has been taught you. Not all are chosen for the tribe, nor are all in the tribe of one family, nor are all in the family to be initiated, nor are all the initiated to be ordained. Your yoke is to be as strong as you can bear, but no stronger. James Crowley P. O. Box 16025 North Hollywood, CA 91615-6025 758 Computer Blessing Blessings on this fine machine, May its data all be clean. Let the files stay where they're put, Away from disk drives keep all soot. From its screen shall come no whines, Let in no spikes on power lines. As oaks were sacred to the Druids, Let not the keyboard suffer fluids. Disk Full shall be nor more than rarity, The memory shall not miss its parity. From the modem shall come wonders, Without line noise making blunders. May it never catch a virus, And all its software stay desirous. Oh let the printer never jam, And turn my output into spam. I ask of Eris, noble queen, Keep Murphy far from this machine. 1988 Zhahai Stewart 759 Charge of The Phone Goddess Listen to the words of the Phone Goddess, who in days of old was called Mama Cass, Ma Barker, Moms Mabley, the last of the Red Hot Mamas, and by many other names not mentionable in mixed company. Whenever you have need to make a call, preferably long distance, and better it be when the rates are high, then shall ye assemble your funds in some convenient place to pay me, who am Queen of all Highway Robbery. These ye shall assemble, ye who are fain to bankruptcy yet have not sent me all your earnings. To these shall I send bills as are yet unheard of. Ye shall be free from bank accounts, as a sign that ye be truly free ye shall be naked from my rates. And ye shall sing, talk, shout, trade gossip and love, all at your own expense. Let your fingers do the walking through my yellow pages. Let none stop you or turn you aside, just call information. For mine is the dial tone that opens upon the busy signal of life, which is the princess phone of immorality. Mine is the poverty of the masses, and call now, pay later. For my law is profit before people. Today I give knowledge of facts you do not wish to have, and tomorrow calls that will sell you things you do not wish to own. For behold, I demand everything in sacrifice. I am the next best thing to being there, and my bills are sent out upon the earth. (- Magenta G. and Steve P-C, 1982) 760 This article is excerpted from the Rocky Mountain Pagan Journal. Each issue of the Rocky Mountain Pagan Journal is published by High Plains Arts and Sciences; P.O. Box 620604, Littleton Co., 80123, a Colorado Non-Profit Corporation, under a Public Domain Copyright, which entitles any person or group of persons to reproduce, in any form whatsoever, any material contained therein without restriction, so long as articles are not condensed or abbreviated in any fashion, and credit is given the original author.! THE MEN'S CIRCLE (c)1986, by Robin The Rocky Mountain Men's Group has put in a good deal of time the past two or three months working on a Manhood Ritual for initiating young males into adulthood. We still don't have a complete ritual that we are all satisfied with, but a good start has been made. Some of the approaches taken in creating this kind of ritual have drawn upon traditional tribal rites of passage. Some of these tribal manhood rituals include taking the young candidate abruptly away from his family to an isolated spot, where he must remain for a long period of time, usually blindfolded and bound in the dark. Part of the ritual may involve physical pain such as tattooing, circumcision or ceremonial infliction of cuts that leave characteristic scars. Even leaving out the physical cutting, these rites deliberately put the young candidate through frightening, isolating and painful experiences. No one has seriously proposed any ritual that leaves permanent scars on the candidate's body, but even so some feel that putting an innocent youngster through a traumatic experience is insensitive. It seems to me that this attitude misses the point. It is not a lack of compassion that is being expressed. There is no single word for it in English, it is a willingness to inflict (or at least allow) pain in order to teach a necessary lesson that cannot be conveyed in any other way. As sensitivity is usually considered a light feminine quality, so this complement is a dark masculine quality. Is th