Living Intimately with Father God- 18th March 1998

-with Ease, Simplicity & Plainness

CLARITY - being the objective of both the higher mind and heart-known reason - is always and ever present. Hard earned by you, it shall come and be known.

To sense the presence of Father God, can in aspect, be firstly most terrifying ... for who in wakefulness goes a'knocking at His door? This is why most make their approach to Him with their innate childlike aspect of soul, receiving their impressions like so; deliberating their ideals in such a way therefore, that that reality need not bear down upon the soul-discourse relayed. The prayer life may be vivid or condescending, but does not meet within the incarnating ego in full circumspect.

There is another approach yet, to knowing our Father, one which begins with an earnest man who has now such a catalog of experience and retrospection, that his manhood requires that he meet with His Father 'I to I' so to speak - that he would rise up and return His gaze - that he would gather himself through his own ego and look therein for the Divine Presence.

To be answered in equal, and in difficult chambers! Here one can realize that this is no small transition ... for within the soulic approach to prayer we brought comfort in the very discourse, whereas within the egoic transaction we are redefining the nature of the ego as it has been.

It is most natural for the soul to rest with our Father and translate for us the heavenly satisfaction gleaned from an eternal (and general) happiness. The soul knows of continuance, it understands the spirit in all - perceiving the glorification of our Father within and about each presence, each particle. Our own souls hold pre-eternal recollections of such early love as was first known by us and in return - and because of the overview there is much to content and little to disparage within their immortal psyche. 

When a man refers to Father God directly through his heart (and to his soul) he has immediately sensed the answer in just the beginnings of his prayer, hasn't he? You know the experience - the moment you step the threshold of that prayer into His World, the contentedness of the soul's understanding brings His comfort. And we can no more reconcile this to the outer circumstances necessarily, and furthermore, we do not try. The contradictions of life as we know it to that of our spiritual realities, seem unapparent. The eternal now is fortified in the very apparition of a prayer.

Now in respect to the grappling of the ego and its entrance to Father God, this is not merely a question of intellect, but rather such a consequence to development overall, with the assumption of our Christhood, with the purity and direction of intention.

Through a man who is well-seasoned by spiritual effort and decided by his inner qualities so worked upon, he asks that by Christ his approach to Father God will be proven in him - consciously proven - with all of the simplicity and purity of spirit.

The personality strains beneath the higher current's pull; being both cunning and rehearsed, our 'plastic' selves are imbued with quality and weakness twofold; and we are decidedly uncomfortable when we begin to reassert our higher ego's desires against the bent and the broad of the habitual personality.

You see it is a difficult (though not impossible) task to import the idea of being open to divine possibility (i.e. anything could happen) and furthermore to trust in its occurrence, outcome and sanctity ... awkward to recondition a personality who is wrought from behavioral expectations, into the freedoms our Father God incurs - and doubly difficult to introduce into one's ego the same, but on its higher and distinctual level!

The Soul lives in the company of Father God yet needs the Ego to illumine His presence to her that she may see the Face of He who she loves.
 
Arterially a man may take stock and recount his time before; arterially he may make his approach with such a mindful intent that now rests consciously on the fact that his spiritual life is utterly dependent upon the grace of Father God's continuance. His recognition of this fact, as it comes to him throughout his daily existence, is as an initiatory portal wherein he is now to circumnavigate and trace new bearings - becoming, within his egohood (his Christ-self) reborn!

Initiation denotes the passage into new life, and as implied there are great merits won in the outcome. The endeavor to quell impossibilities as perceived, with the savory straight simplicity of Father God's propriety; to ease one's way through all conjunctures; to glide into life with the gracefulness of gentle landings - this we may do when we become practiced in discerning our own relation to the life and happenings around us.

The exercise of reviewing the day which has just passed (working backwards until morning) in an arterial context is useful in the strengthening of our personal discernment. The exercise in general holds good purpose when employed with other emphases besides (conclusions and corrections of conduct).

However, prescriptive to this we ask for a singular application - not one of secondary response, but becoming acquainted with the primary responses to the day. For example: when we reflect on past happenings it is a primary position to find one's place amongst them, and decide and then know if we hold aversion, antipathy or wellbeing in relation to those happenings. It would be a secondary process were we to examine whether or not we could have done differently (an abstract exercise - albeit useful morally and imaginatively, nonetheless as abstract in thought). For the purpose of this we are trying to reaffirm the reality of the day in regards to our own person.

So when we go back we may honestly take issue with that and those which made an impact upon us ... how were we affected by a sight, or substance, a word, an exchange, a surprise, an expectation delivered, a face, a hand, a motion, a voice, a fragrance etc.? With every presentation of memory it is to be asked: "Arterially, what is my position to this?"

• Are you disturbed, violated, repulsed, rebuked?

• Do you feel weakened in your tolerance or strengthened in your soul?

• Are you enlivened, awakened, made jubilant, resourceful?

• Do you recoil or rejoice?

What is the natural and innermost reaction - honestly and in heart? Learn to observe in recollection and thereby strengthen your signature in being.

Although these responses are most private, few folk will review even unto themselves in true qualifying scrutiny. It is not a matter of criticism either, but in attitude simply of placing, of acknowledging, and dismissing each and every one with a resolve to refer to Father God, or a gratitude to refer the same.

Now the reasoning of this exercise is to maintain our Arterial Self's discretion rather than to deny it. Arterially (and egoically) it is natural to a man to prefer goodness in all of its examples. Men are excited by holiness; and yet it is usually the ugliness of a mundane world which seeks to further itself, that enters most of the 'complications and impossibilities' which present in greatest dilemma without.

Arterially the path to Father God is simple! For it is our main vein to Him as is to ourselves! That which decides - circulates through the divine mind of the soul into the heart, coursing the blood, flexing the lungs, dancing with the ego, pervading the extremities (and further bodies out from them) ... is the arterial nature which traverses all of a man coherently and conductively. So it is asked how it is that men and women can disregard their arterial discriminations and forego their selfhood, adhering moreover to a personality which is pliant to expectations beyond itself, corruptible and permeable, held aloft like an umbrella with holes throughout the fabric!

When men emulate others or seek to be similar, it is because they have drawn much useful instinctual knowledge from the mass (pneu) and thus continually identified. Individual karma eventually goes on to teach each man differently that he is not, as he may perceive or wish for, completely and totally so part of the collective to the exclusion of self. Only recently in the ego development of Man, has this been brought to him as a reality. (Of course there is also the reality that we are but part of the collective - however and nonetheless, we stride single-file along this one procession.)

By this karma we are awakened to the responsibility there is in evidence when it comes to our actions and deferments thereof. Our souls perceive the reasoning of karma and our egos eventually (after death) are given the opportunity to tie in all of the connections; the 'why-wherefores' and fiz-gibits, to put it bluntly.

As a man goes onto to properly incorporate certain attributes to him - working with intention upon himself in spiritual reform - as he pours into himself both inspiration and source, he learnedly passes into the world that which he has loved, and emanates verily those main axioms by which he would now live by. He gives by his presence, most loudly. All that he may consciously endorse he will impart and give out to an, as yet, less intentional world of thought.

By this he helps then the path of others in their thought and further inspiration. The quick and easy access trod is usually come by because of the folk who did cut the road before them. Just that, this man has brought to many. When the apt thought passed from his being or his lips to where it was most needed in the quick ... where, in relative terms, the others who did not work so hard to win the concept were just so inspired .... because of him, because of intention he worked through with and did earn with much more effort than perceived or known.

There are degrees of self-consciousness, and for those who are motivated by others' opinions or impressions before that of their own experienced, we find that eventually (over lifetimes) discomfort provokes their wills into being; and at least in small but important measure folk learn to say "No!" (and mean it). That is to say, not to say "no" as an automatic response to everything, but to deliver with evaluation the divisions between self and impingement. Our beloved saints were strong enough in their arterial selfhood that they could rebuke pain, and even at times gravity, with a "No!". And then further to this comes the "Yes!" - once again resounding in definity!

Prominent holy men and teachers are often distinctive in behavior and sense of self, and quite apart from even the groups they may associate in. They needs keep a strong identity in order that they may be as close to Father God, not closer to other men who might disrupt that working rapport.

The decision into the ascetic incline, stipulates that beauty and purity live well in spiritual strength alone. Although there appears a paradox in saying that by the development of true selfhood shall we also develop our senses for our extraordinary Selfhood in Father God, it does teach us also that to prize one, is to worship the other, and then this too flows on into all of Creation remaining. The drive to commune with Father God in such a way that He livingly determines the length and breadth of one's output within this world and beyond, will be answered, shall be fulfilled.

Before the soul and ego of a man, present choices - their presence felt, their invisible faces staring 'I to I' - and when questioned a man can have an inner pledge secured, when the Arterial Self acknowledges its readiness. However the transition involved is no small matter! The foci has not moved, but has so enlarged that the heart itself wants to burst with readiness! The desire to love our Father to the fullest is expressing our gratitude for existence. Revelations will follow. Clarity will come. Trusting will prove itself worthwhile!

Remember also that as pioneering men, unique paths are cut; not the least perhaps in those just in the making- ways within, that we have not seen, further openings then for all men to follow. The psyche of individual men differs according to their spiritual history; and what one man may bring may offer such a mix and mirth unparalleled by others who have, in their own way, also sought distinction.

This subject heralds the newest phase of the cement between our Father God and our refurbished ego activity. Oh that we may feel His Hand at our shoulder at all times! That loving itself becomes most simple - and all else does fall away!

The Internship-11th March 1998

FLEDGINGS know, just as young saints know, just as transparent gems hidden in clumps of rock deposit, dark-filled and earth covered, also do know, of the purpose within them - not yet apparent but there and in waiting, urging them to find that time when their innate glory shall materialize.

The desire for discipleship is no small matter! When a man is moved by the internal awakening which proves his very manhood, he is awash with the longing for his own self-perfection. Ennoblement follows such desire, for it is entranced by the calling of this lover's cry. The spirit recognizes the wanting deep within the tender souls of all fellow men and seeks to heal them with courageous valor; such is the path to one's betterment.

We work for all, or not at all. We strive for Life, and even in this shall Death survive and be reborn! We must contrast opinion with truth and thus decide ... and find truth where truth is, wherever that may be; pray God we acquire His eyes that we may see it, and a heart as large that we shall live it.

A pupil may work out from one of two positions within: either that of discomfort or that of the calling from a higher motivation. This has to be said firstly and established, because in teaching we do further the principle which maintains that a man works best out from joy than he does from ill - that beginnings do make for the endings; and so we take care with all seedling issue. The primary position sets the placing of the future and all which bears accordingly to follow.

Discomfort in itself can be honorable, and if not that, quite understandable. There is enough within the outer world, and much within our inner selves which can aggravate and inflame our sensibilities. Many spiritually inclined individuals work hard because of their displacement so felt ... and as grit is to pearl, they gather much virtue because of it. However, although a certain dissatisfaction or even pain may alert us as to what we do not want, it will tell us very little of the reality we might say we prefer - in itself it can be a catalyst, but there needs more for us to know, before we may move out from it.

The calling from a higher motivation awakens in a man the actual strength and sustenance to carry him on to that level beyond his immediate reach. When a man may work out from an internal joy or experience a love, he is opened within his self (his ego) to receive the strength that is required that he may indeed continue to develop a'further. Remarkably there is often the notion that men can deny their own spiritual ecstasies and still yet bring a joyous laughter into this Globe; or further still, some believe that they can artificiate joy in a pretence. However, moreso do the spiritual realities call for actuality, and a dry drab man within makes only for a dry drab man in perpetuity! Do we water the tree of life with a poison? No! And this is our point.


So the contemplations and study are best kept to those which may enhance our beings with some positive measure or addition, rather than concede to gloom or despair. If we admit within ourselves much of the unhappiness which abounds without (and there is enough there to study over lifetimes, true enough) then we would surely become as wretched and misplaced in the very attempting. For also, there are beings (and demons) which dwell amongst all thought as well. 

We must become particular in whom it is that we should call to and give our attention's vitality to. We invest ourselves into that which will impart a governing supplication to woe. We attribute our divinity to Christ and to Father God, and we honor them in joy, not in sorrow. Every sadness undergone is known by Christ - that purse of silver is spent the world round, and He still hurts for each man who is betrayed to great sorrow; and then accordingly our Father God shudders in like pain about.

True joy is not to be found in heartless pursuits. In point of fact, those who do give themselves over to the heartless passions (where there is no soul communion, no soul connection, no soul combining - i.e. the astral passions devoid of the higher life) they are defacing their happiness with the replace of a gorgon; and in time, such expenditure of vitality there will sicken the individual that he can no longer withstand true joy about him.

So when we recommend that a good student come to know love in the world, we qualify that love with the enlivening which follows. Astral passions devoid of soul conjunctures and empathetic connections are as small deaths to the soul (insofar as the heart/soul is interrupted from its preferred expression and communication into the physical body). If a man is excited to gambling (in any form), stimulated to alcohol or a narcotic, active in lust without soul-love and connection, exaggerated in fiery episodes of anger or willful malign, if he excites his appetite with foods that contain little or no etheric life, if he knits together falsehoods which he works to maintain and project, if he commits to a social priority before acknowledging that of his spiritual own, if he deceases himself in the maintaining of appearance of another .... he stifles his soul life and severs himself accordingly, he stifles also his soul.

And the ego of a man warrants his soul as governor. That which injures the affections of soul also injures the ego in the long term. As we develop we grow in love - love will tend us, feed us, secure us and be for us, providing we do not depart from the callings of our own soul.

Not one man may decide this for another. There are precious moments of great choosing, when before the mind's eye is placed a possible future for the man to take hold of and accept if he will. And in these explicit askings from within, so echoed back in resonant agreement the man himself will know his upright time when the motivations of a greater love have called him.

We as teachers have adapted to some extraordinary means of physical and future existence. As needs be we are purpose built - and were that a 'normal' man sought our presence (let alone prolonged company) for a time he would find that there is a tension between the two, even though we are but brothers. Those who would join us leave much more behind than one does in ordinary death. To incarnate in these bodies devised, brings about both capability and deficit when compared with the standard model of today.

However, we can see something else there which has more reckoning for you, and that in is this dear soul: have you forgotten the others? Not a few, but many, have you such karmic dealings with as yet - those who will need your physical presence here in this time and from your vantage. We can see individuals relying upon your being amongst the community, that when the time is apt your constellations shall concur.

This is not so unusual, and particularly when there becomes an earnest soul (and hopefully others also), that karmicly folk are drawn into your orbit for long enough to become renewed, enstrengthened; and in the instance of a would-be master, that certain dealings are fulfilled and completed before moving on.

This personal assumption of matters has no definite time period, nor does the adept in progress guarantee himself ever an evolutionary 'win' as such. Yet what can be said is that each and every individual who puts himself to the task of joining the greater service to humanity, with whatever abilities he has to offer, then in kind and by their supplication to us, shall we be conjoined and of assistance to each other. No man is above failing, ever, however there is one consideration of hope though: that is when we ask for genuine help involving such service; then through the support that entitles our affiliated fellowship we shall be corrected and carried when need be. It goes without saying, perhaps.

The invisible helpers who cross over the conjoining spheres do not involve themselves with matters of personal karma. They do not interfere, judge, comment, direct, or have use for another's personal dealings. What we can help with (and other beings besides) is in that which individuals choose to take on on behalf of their brothers as a collective; and in this widened band of karma (one which we share of course) we can then play a part in the support and the outcome. Do you see? So in the course of your struggles, if ever help is asked and required concerning your development and environment (psychic environment) in respect to your advancement in service, then there will be assistance (and love) to follow.

As for the physical representation or projection of the Masters, it can be said: you may think of us as ferrymen (not of the accursed variety!) who will one day take you on board ... but for this moment realize that a boat is no good to you if you are far from the water; you must first make it to the river for us to come to you.

This is in no way a dissuasion. Much is achieved through patient striving and continual affirmations of intent, purpose and future plan. The in between phase in this is essentially more important to you than the arrival; because as we pointed to earlier, good beginnings are essential to good and thorough outcomes. If a man comes to greet us prematurely (or we to him) he is absorbed (literally) in our presence to the extent of forgetting his own! Do not ever wish to relinquish your selfhood! We would not have that for you, nor should you either.

As you learn, whether it be under our guidance here or elsewhere (or from others still) we ask this alone: prize your being and take care of it that you may go on to do also with others. Do not injure yourself, negate yourself, condemn yourself or indulge in false pride. Know that Christ lives in your word, heart and grasp, and with your brothers we will endeavor to help raise all beings above the pain of not knowing Him, and knowing therefore each other. 

Egoic wisdom takes time. The keys are there within you, and you already know the strength and presence of these thoughts just put before you. Yes you have briefly met already with one of us - and that is significant. Most do not know of the times when this is so, but it is important because we renew our friendships in this manner, friendships which hearken back to past efforts in lives we can recall.

The drive to work again and the esoteric comprehension, does not just come of itself all of a sudden to this degree. Men take preparation and usually previous connections to find it returned, in the context that the desire now works within you. The personality may wrestle with this, and that is common enough, whilst the mind is mystified at the soul-pictures and hearkenings with which it endures.

Every individual holds a convoy of differing lessons to carry, and when they have approached and reconciled their given problems to inspiring solutions, they are then so empowered as to assist yet further all men thereafter who are afflicted with the same difficulties. They are invaluable in this accomplishing and the collective need, and require it to be managed by those who have a spiritual conceptualization to work through what can only be dealt with on multifarious levels from a whole and complete perspective. It is not enough to address the human condition from the physical and obvious perspective alone.

Added to this we require men to be as clear, receptive and prayerful as is possible (to them). If they are contaminated with intoxicants then the knowledge imparted, or experience which follows, is likewise contaminated - sullied with a false ego which betrays Man as it is wont to do.

There are only a few, proportionately, who would enter into this work. Each is needed (and known) and although conditions may appear lonely at times and without, there is much being gained for a future right here in the making. No wishes go unanswered or unfulfilled in time. Sincerity is everything. And although we cannot dwell in the physical company of all of those who represent us throughout the various continents (and beyond), we do effectively cooperate as one dear vision, begun and most certainly born from our Lord, who would have us united in Love.

In time, what you sincerely desire shall eventuate. Meanwhile dear friend, know that there is much goodness as an undergirth, which shall uphold and support you throughout.. 

God Bless!
-Raven

 

Ceremonial Magic- 27th February 1998

Dear Teachers,
The following statements and questions have been put to you by C.W. in reply to some of your instruction. For the sake of those reading I have kept your writing in standard type, and the questions are those in italic.

Quote from Tradition:

"Ceremony, performed in earnesty, works magic, undeniable magic which calls upon devic forces - not the angelic, as is misunderstood. It is from the elemental influences, upon which we are so closely bound together with, that answers to the ceremonies of men."

Comment by C.W.:

I'm not sure what you mean by "devic forces". I've worked with elemental forces and angelic forces - they are decidedly different. I've had to deal with demonic forces which I discern as being more akin to angelic than elemental. Granted, most ceremonial magic, a la Golden Dawn, speaks to angelic forces but essentially deals with elemental. Therein may lie the source of confusion. Certainly the Pagan and most Gnostic ceremonies I've seen, can only grasp at elemental, if even that.

Quote from Tradition:

"Men cannot, through ritualistic means, command those who are from comparatively higher realms. Such contact is not possible, and contradictory. Men may beseech and plead those from higher spheres, but never can conjure, or create manifestive appearances."

Question by C.W.:
But just what is a "higher realm"? Are we speaking of closer proximity spiritually to God? Expanded consciousness? Higher tax bracket? The demons have a far greater consciousness than most, if not all, men yet are spiritually very far from the Divine. So, consciousness of itself means nothing. If we are talking about closeness to the Divine, then I argue that man has the potential to reach far above the levels of angels, archangels, powers, thrones and dominions. Contact along the way is not only possible but our divinely given right. The unique construct of man is that he is made "in the image and likeness of God" but through Original Sin falls to a starting point in Malkuth. As Hebrews[2:7-8] tells us:

"You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honor, subjecting all things under their feet." Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control."

Hebrews goes on to remind us that before Christ we were limited to the earth (and by implication elemental forces) but through Jesus Christ we gain salvation and, more importantly in this regard, are brothers with Him.
Again citing Hebrews[1:14]:

"Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"

The angels are like royal servants who have charge over the little princes and princesses. At first the royal children are under the control/ protection/ ministering of these servants but later come into parity.

Eventually the royal children "come into their own" and rule over these faithful servants. So it is with us and our divine royalty. Many do not realize their full potential, some harden their hearts against it and ignore or reject the price that was paid for them.

There is much more to this but I defer those interested in their divine heritage to review Paul's letter to the Hebrews and rejoice!

Quote from Tradition:
"And there are realms to be respected of elemental origin, but also those too, who for reason of design, are best left without overly much attention.

Even the primal beings which are so incorporated within the air (wind), the fire, the earth, are as such, cosmic brothers, who are quick to respond.

Tradition is sympathetic, and seeks to re-establish relations with such forces that abound. The close connection between man and his elemental sphere is indisputable. . ."

Comments from C.W.:

I have to disagree here. The elementals are not so much our cosmic brothers as they are our servants. The children of paupers and kings may play together as equals unknowingly but their parents know who is who and one day so will the children. The more likely analogy I find is that elemental forces, like other forces of nature are powerful and deadly at times but can be harnessed to bend to man's will. This is not done without regard and respect for the power of these forces. Many people have lost their lives underestimating such forces.

Connection, harmony, and relations with elemental forces, even rulership over them is fascinating to be sure. It is a spiritual aspect modern man has lost touch with. But too often I find people chasing down this side path after some spiritual bauble losing sight of the True path that leads one into full realization of their divine heritage.

The Brother's reply:

Good Evening,
In speaking of Paul we can recall those famous lines:
"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things."

May the royal children consolidate their knowledge, grow fit for their inheritance, and secure their discernments in Christ, within His Charity! May we become as true Men, worthy of such entitlement.

Whilst it is both marvellous and true to say that Man (unlike the other Kingdoms without) holds keys to every realm potentially - in both being and experience, in substance (the passport in), in capability of ego comprehension - Man has also a qualifying reasoning that can and shall bring him closer to Christ.

Divinity impinges upon us everywhere. We are saturate in regality, yet not forsworn to any one conclusion as yet. And as Paul commits [1 Corinthians 13], we may have prophetic powers, we may have a knowledge all wise, but without charity we are still nothing.

Charity in the material sense usually is afforded to those who have less and are without. An act of charity is perceived as a kindness, when also there becomes an implication that the charitable are in the 'envious' position of having more than whom they are attending their graces to.

How so, one may ask, when it comes to that of the Heavens; given that there is a constant replenishment and never a need such is known here in physical existence. What does it mean to have a charity of spirit so developed that our disposition is one of humility, nay gratitude - and never presumptuous in the context of the lesser living to serve us as we are but entitled?

Within soul as well as ego, we go on to develop such dispositions of attitude which address the cosmological deities with either a regard or an arrogance, depending upon our royal manners so acquired. It is essential to the wellbeing of any individual that good manners are adopted early on within their development, so that in future being their natural inclinations are so worked upon that they are strong within this true ennoblement.

When we revere Creation, we rejoice and revere our Father God. When we insult another being with an untoward behaviour we insult also their Creator. If we are greedy for our own concerns to the detriment of theirs, if we are abusive in our conceptualisation and haughty in our opinion of ourselves; if we are so established in our conceit as to believe that we are above any one condition we perceive to be lesser than that of our own, then we do solemnly call upon the very karma that will answer us otherwise. For thereby are we expressing a need for further experience; for that of an empathy, so needed.

Rulership is a crock when the 'servants' are unruly demons! Picture it if you will - we have seen such mayhem, and it is not one any man would be choosing - to be as monkey-king! Let us go to the questions now, in order.

Firstly: "I am not sure what you mean by devic forces".
Ah! There is something here to mention, which is for the most part left undiscussed, perhaps even unheard, and that is this: in ceremonial magic, all ceremonial magic, the forces implied come in deficit out from a man. Whether they are by nature and influence drawn from an elemental or its higher form, understand that it comes in the vitality taken out from a man.

For this reason the dark path has always endeavored to employ enspirited bodies to sacrifice - and beings who feed from such activity require humans to perform their ritualistic milkings through fleshly representation - for it is through men that these vital substances are seeped and bled. This is a very important consideration when the full reality of the cost involved is weighed, because the expenditure is not, in any circumstance, redeemable.

Our connections with other related beings (angel, elemental and demon) are inextricably mingled. We have a co-dependency with evolutionary developments and very personal relationships with representations of all of the above. If by will or by another's magic we work to suck the powers out from one of these beings, we do not achieve this directly but rather through that of our own. It shall be our devic essences, our elemental powers, our demonic utterances that will be made manifest.

This shall probably be in accordance with the reckoning of a man who perceives all men to be central to the universal plan anyhow. We have always regarded Man to be the appellagram to which all appendage ... so think also of the responsibility given to him, for each and every one, depending on, trusting, in a hard won future merit.

We have had the abilities to disengage ourselves from many cooperatives and have done so in the past ... however, all parts and particles (alike to the dust from the Moon) return. We are answerable for all.

Question 2- "But just what is a 'higher realm'?"

How does one effectively command another who is more capable than thyself to do thy will? It is a contradiction before we start. A higher realm is a term given relatively to demonstrate "that which is beyond the immediate reach" of the lower. Through prayer a man is elevated all the way up to Father God, but yet his position when it comes to willfully petitioning is as it was, no higher than before. That is how it goes.

To suggest that demons have a far greater consciousness than most men is demonic in perspective. They might have you believe it, but it is worth questioning all the same! They hold a limited perspective and because they are without egos, they are without self-consciousness, self-knowledge and self-reflection. They are incapable of empathetic reasonings, therefore cannot interpret with a consciousness the life and beings around them. They have neither compassion nor self-sacrifice embossed in their psyche. What they do have is a hunger, a cleverness, a dependence on Man, and access to intelligence which sits in the thought-world in attendance to the minds at large. Such intelligence, though used and demonstrated, is not individually comprehended with distinction.

We have essayed once that there are two distinct characteristics given to beings - namely that of the angelic and that of the creative. We have also maintained that there becomes a definition of evil when one being becomes overridden with the impulses of another. In this instance the demons are elemental beings who are given to a 'creativeness' which is not within their license to take part in. They have departed as being faithful servants to man and to God, in angelic countenance, and have begun to make changes into chaos. Rather than replicating the past and maintaining it (the Angel's trait), they have an intelligence borrowed from Man. Man also must redeem his demons - call them to being and encourage them to repent.

You might say that Man subjects the World itself under his feet, doesn't he? And with about as much impetus as he does the lesser. If the Angels are to be regarded as royal servants, it is best kept in mind that it is Father God they serve first. Their gracious attendance to us, supports and sustains us ... and we in return endear ourselves to them. They do not even glean experience directly from our findings, but delight for us. How can we presume to own them? To rule them? What would we have them do that they do not do already? An important question.

Yes, as co-creators alongside our Christ, we do hold the power to override the repetitions of the past (angelic influence) and co-script the futures. However, in the spiritual worlds we needs be heirs apparent - our worth and worthiness is evident (is quite apparent by that which we have made of ourselves). Not by claim alone, but by Christ-likeness shall we become so adept.

The primal beings as described in the text of question were meant, as our cosmic brothers, in the literal meaning, not just with a loose generosity. Whilst we encourage a charitable consideration to be given to all of the associated kingdoms, the issue here is of those individual souls who remain with the world, but are kept from the physical existence - never incarnating, never dying also, manifesting in the etheric world as beings in kind from a long ago time.

When the gates closed to the worldly intake, there were as many men held back as there were those who went forth. Nature holds reserves everywhere. Innocence of a kind ensures a continuation - although in this instance we have parallel evolutions occurring also.

Admittedly our difficulty here lies in the word 'elemental' insofar as it is used with many differing applications. It does of course, actually mean 'a being of the nature', which can be an astral thought-form, an etheric deva, a spirit of the ethers, of the fire, of the water, of the earth (or their lower counterparts), into the 'higher' spheres, and so forth.

Claims to authority are impotent when there is no resounding reality to substantiate them. The matters either are, or are not - and each may decide this for himself. We can equal ourselves with others if we love well, and become comforters, servants in kind. Perhaps this more gentle perspective appears deflationary, but it is not. Love enters in and wins when will cannot.

Though the fiery action of the Divine Will and all lesser wills that pursue their course, is awesome in its glory, will lives in obeisance to Love first and foremostly. Therefore the true path to empowerment lies not in the contentions of will and in privilege, but rather in he who loves best loves most. If this is considered a 'side path ' to some, then they must ask which path indeed, they are then on.

'Spiritual baubles'? It takes real balls to love well!
Amen!

- B.Hive 

Imagine certain secret societies carrying on a form of ceremonial magic directed towards its grey or black aspects. Imagine they influence their members in a way that affects even their physical body, even the delicate vibrations and weavings of their physical body, so that something spiritual flows into this physical body.
       What is the consequence? The consequence is that something now comes about which was suitable in earlier periods of human evolution but is no longer permissible today. Such procedures make it possible for the spiritual world to influence those human beings who participate, even though they do not turn towards it along the path I have described. This means that it becomes possible for the dead, as well as other spirits, to influence the members of a circle created by ceremonial magic. In this way today's materialism can be made hypermaterialistic.

*****

 This is that the more a person gains by way of materialistic immortality, or rather ahrimanic immortality, the more he loses of the consciousness of true, genuine immortality. Yet materialism has taken such a hold on many souls today that they remain unconcerned about this and are tricked into striving for ahrimanic immortality. It could indeed be said that societies exist today which, from a spiritual or occult point of view, could be called 'insurance companies for ahrimanic immortality'!

-Rudolf Steiner

True Clairvoyance, Safe Ritual, & Holy Water- 21st February 1998

Question:
Dear Teachers,
Today I have a question from Lillian concerning her experiences - she writes:
I will try to list some of how I see or hear or feel that is coming out of the spiritual world….
My big question is, what is seeing and hearing like coming from the spiritual world into our earthly bodies? What is considered imaginations?
I see color in a lot of instances:
When I visualize a meditation scene.
When I picture the route I will take on a trip that day.
When I visualize color around a person for their protection.
When I see a spirit being that may be present after I have thought about who may be present.
When I do healing it is sometimes with color. I consciously visualize a color around them.
There probably are other instances which I can not think of right now.
Another way to visualize is to see the person in the mind's eye and to see what is bothering them in a particular instance, and to see where their negativity lies. Anything that is visualized to help them for there good is only what they agree upon.
As I said before, I see black or gray areas where the illness or negativity lies. That can be any part of the body.

Another question: are any of the above evil or something that is spiritually undesirable?
- Lillian

REFERENCING knowledge translates differently for some, yet actually maintains the same or similar processes which all men may use. Psychic practices where there is procedure and intent are not in the category of the above described experiences, because as either magician or novice there becomes no willful exchange amongst the ethers, no condescending to elemental beings, no derision of natural force and inclination, no manipulation of human desires or wills afflicted, no conjuring, confixing, collaborating or congealing; and no immediate vision extending above the circumstance with an ensemble of full interpretation.

Men and women who are clairvoyantly sensitive enough to derive impressions through intuitive and imaginative means are referencing information which otherwise might be left to the administration of the soul-consciousness alone. Aptitude in this area relates to the physical disposition of the receiver, and also to the very nature of the interpreter in how they personally exchange with the world at large.

Referencing as such, is relied upon in many different contexts, in both mundane and exceptional ways. Just as our sensory organs help us to determine properties of the world about us, we are attuned to the realities of more subtle exchanges coherently also.

When our senses greet the world they do so in such a way, that within margins we are able to interpret, tolerate and enjoy the experience of inference. Inferring could be painful if it were that our own perceptors overly reported their details - were that the smells too strong, light too bright, color too vivid, motion too great, tastes too powerful, sounds too loud, and so forth. If we were too sensitive, if we felt the rise and fall of the earth beneath us, if we heard and saw just the physical properties that there are (excluding the subsensory and supersensory astralities) we would be overwhelmed with discomfort.

Of course, by and large the physical world is very kind to Man in all aspects; being congenial also to our beings with regards our needs and pleasures. Angelic beings (those who are not with physical correspondence) can find that the conditions are altogether painful and intolerable; whilst demonic creatures would also differentiate agonies from yet from other sources perceptible in the world, such as fragrances, melodies, laughter etc.

Interpreting conditions, soul conditions around us, is experiential and not intellectual. Similarly to our direct perceptions, we infer much of moods and placings, beings and their beingness - we may even scan the immediate futures and go prospecting for possible outcome, drawing from spiritual realities which are close to us, and to be known. 

Most men and women will feel the life around them in an overall way. Let us explain: an infant physically feels with all of his body as though it were one organ of touch - he does not discriminate the centers to the extent that he will later go on to do. Pleasure and pain will tremor through the whole of his small frame. This is how most folk will come to experience the soul-world amongst them. Their inner correspondences and further outgoing inquiries will be perceptible as one overall impression.

The ability to refine this comes to the point where we can translate and be particular within ourselves and our interpretations. The language of self explanation will be through the known understanding of the sensory organs in the physical, coupled with the imaginative forces required as well. Clearly we know that we do not see or feel in the physical sense. On the other hand, one can be understood to wonder when it appears to be all imagined as well. However there are many engagements we take part in which border worlds, being partly here and partly there.

When a painter paints a picture he may try to realistically reproduce that which he immediately perceives to photographic accuracy, or he may imaginatively and artistically create an image which is untrue to his eyes, but is in accordance with his inner landscapes. Nothing comes of nothing. An artist will tell you that he fervently feels the reality of his work, and providing his talents can meet with his vision, you may glimpse the soul aspects in the physical creation through that labor. A musician likewise does not bring us an imitation of collected sound true only to his physical experience - car-horns and indiscriminate noise - he borrows also from his soul-life and translates it then into melody.

Now, likeso the processes of visualization and healing can be viewed. Men are blessed with creativity, with artistry, and no less when it comes to a prayerful and meditative endeavor. We do not come empty-handed into our contemplations. We enter in with a certain expectation, perhaps a longing or an inquiry, a curiosity, and further to that we shall bring many hopes besides - all which are very much according to our own beings and design.

All extraneous things are affected by us. In our meeting, in our knowing, in our experiencing us of them, they are thereby thereafter affected. When we come to another we secure a short-term impression of them, and then we may search within for more information to reference. Once again, this may become in most just an overall feeling, or when distinguished in the particular it may translate into something which corresponds with our understanding. The important thing firstly to realize though amongst all of this, is that it is coming to us, but interpreted by us, to the point that we are responsible for the experiences then known. We may reference in this way but we will also be then going on to interpret according to our own understanding, and because of this much true detail is missed by even the sensitives.

Another point to be regarded, is that this kind of development is natural to some and therefore quite wholesome in its function. Providing we are not intrusive to others (and therefore unlicensed) we may acceptably have many ways of sensing the day. Some may silently confer with the angels of others, to speak of their concerns or inquiry; some may know these beings as color made manifest to them, because it is color rather than being that will translate into their sensory knowledge defined. Not only do angelic beings give their bodies over to the various colors, there are also characteristic qualities which are subsinct to the manifestative display. So when we see color around a person for their protection, it is an angel whose face might be hidden from us, but whose duty and love is made known.

Question: There has been much dialogue lately about Christian ritual and magic - it is two-part: Firstly, how do we define a good or safe ritual which is permissible and how is it different to other magical invocations?

There are the sacraments, the rituals of the Orthodox church that coincide, and also here is an example of one that was offered:
(Readers please note: I had an example here of a certain invocation which the teacher asked me to remove so that it would not be circulated. I personally understood nothing of it - but it did have some important looking Latin names and interesting things to do as an example of ritual. I have done as is asked, so we'll proceed without it!)

Secondly, is there a good recipe for Holy Water we can ask you for - and instruction with it, please? And what is it?

Water itself is conducive to all life. Water upholds life whilst being faithful to Father God in its very substance. Water empowers the manifestation of all organic and physically living beings represented here ... it bears their exact appearance in the spiritual worlds and in vapor or in crystalline form it is true to the forces which promote existence. It is the all encompassing ego which envelops safely all other egoic forms. It maintains, infills, instills and swells. It conducts the soul-forces, as they are compelled to discharge only in fluidic configurations - enabling the soul-expression in the physical world to emit and discharge and immerse and comingle.

Etheric forces which are characteristic of particular substances will be enhanced and empowered further in the presence of water, not only when it comes to homeopathic extractions, but also in relation to the elements and nature of a man (i.e. when you shower or bathe watch your thoughts - and see how potently they will then work amongst you thereafter! Whatever you focus upon will be enstrengthened and blessed).

One can think of the first event of Baptism when the body of Holy Water was indeed a living river! It has been thought that immersement was important because folk were encouraged to almost drown therein - to excarnate out from their worldly consciousness, sever their physical constraints and literally pass back in having been reborn in the experience. But we would disagree completely with this practice or interpretation of such Baptism.

Before Christ the purpose of a Baptism was to bring the consciousness of the child (or more correctly then the man) into the affiliation of his brethren and of his manhood. Demons were known commonly and of a marked threat to every individual. The ego of a man adhered itself to larger bodies of thought and being, without an independent view of its manhood or its separate individuality.

The unification of man to man in the water ceremony in this ritual, was effective enough to mark a binding commitment thereafter. Had this been to cause a disincarnation from the temporal (as many rituals did indeed do) they would have used other means - suitable narcotics, sexual ecstasies, atavistic guides who wilfully drew a man out from himself. Initiations both pure and corrupt used other means for disassociation - water was not the preferred!

When Christ entered into the waters, Christ entered into the Water. At the time of the Baptism when John passed the keys to this World to its Sovereign, our beloved Christ brought with Him the Presence of the Holy Spirit as was never known hitherto to Man before. As we have established before, the fiery lively element of the Holy Spirit works its way into this world inspiring all Life - not only in a combusting and active way, but also through the powers of continuum, propulsion, interaction, and in that aspect of Father God which is Life. 

When Christ entered into the body of Jesus, and enter He did, He was received into water firstly. The Father held His Son. The Waters upon and within this Earth were transformed. Christ, agent for the Will of our Father, carried His Presence consciously and adeptly into the nature of all water to follow. And this was mighty. With the fire of Spirit, Christ quenched the very thirst of the Water itself! Our Father incarnate!

Oh Divine and prosperous Water,
Body of Angels,
Faithful to God,
Servant to all,
Deliverer of the World,
May Christ yet transcend thee,
And so blessed be, make pure me!

This was rightly so: that Christ should both bring the ego to Man as well as the Will of our Father. Through Christ we no longer go to the water to conjoin with a limited number of like souls, or unify with one race or religion. By Christ we are given the passport to the greater Humanity and a shared existence with all men of difference. We are afforded the inner access to our Father; we are given our individuality which is stronger in sense of being than any other being outside of it. Through the nature of water we can find both supplication and spirit - not only may it bring cohesive properties, but now empowering, enlivening enhancements as well.

Water may easily become contaminated in the sense that once it has embraced a particular substance it has, in its body, given over to the influence of that inhabiting substance. Holy Water, which is at its optimum, should be of distilled water firstly, which is kept in a vessel made of gold (or lined with gold). Second to this one can use a quartz crystal, marble or a lead-free glass container. There must be a lid of the same.

Preferred to salt is sunlight. For this the water needs be placed in direct sunlight (with the lid off during this) and attended to at all times whilst exposed. Commonplace discussion or wayward thought is best dissuaded. Usually the water may be corrupted by immediate influences, so you must pay attention as to who or what you may be placed near to during the sunbathing episode. This is the time for prayer - prayer to go into that water and be received; prayer that will be then so potent and ennobling, and remedial with holy aptitude. You may do this for five or more minutes every day for an entire lunar month - the water need be brought into the light and prayed over - preferably at the same time each day in the early hours of the sunlit morning. This is the best recipe we know for a really good holy water.

Now, as to what to do with it: for some vials are carried everywhere. In ages past such vials could be produced and scattered when met with a needy exorcism or sickness or devil. Droplets placed on thresholds of houses - for others, entire fonts at doorways in every room. There has also been a practice of fluidic emissions (particularly of the sick) to be placed into the Holy Water, that the purification could work its way upon the signature of the individual for whom the emissions belonged to; the water then afterwards is to be discarded straightway. Let it be poured onto sunlit ground and relinquished.

This also makes for a good and commonsense way of discarding the residue of ashes from the cremated. Rather than setting the remains into the simple sea or host of dirt, a beloved of the deceased may prepare with many pertinent and thoughtful prayers the Holy Water, and then after one month (or later) may admit the ashes into the vessel and then into a further trough or encasement. Essentially the water works on that which holds etheric vitality or influence in the first place - however, even with the ashes of the dead we have on a higher level their extending signatures which do lead to them and connect to them continually. This influence of prayer and exposure, thus will have an effect upon them as a happy tonic, and does hold a profoundly joyous influence.

As for the drinking of this water, it is suggested that each may make his own. A man would have to hold much trust for another that he might partake in this water prepared. There is argument to say that whenever Christ is called in there would be a protection and effectiveness of sorts? This is and isn't so. Remember too, that it is so much more important for you yourself to take a hand in your prayer life, spirituality and intent ... and not expect it to be just received easily from another's labors. It is pertinent to your being to take time with some things and not require them to be done for you. So for this reason alone, without suspicion of the inadequacy of others being a possibility, we caution you this way in that respect to be considered.

The water once prepared may be kept in its container (sealed) indefinitely. It becomes a protective, it holds an inner phosphorescence. Droplets can be used just about anywhere! However, do not put it into food or drinks etc. or use on people who are unaware of what you have.

One drop can help purify the psychic discharges in a room and atmosphere; and in this it is permissible to make trails in public places also. One can take it into hospitals, hospices or gaming houses, hotels, or even transport (particularly when you may be confined in small, but crowded environments and prone to the atmosphere then shared with mixed company).

Now to the other part of this question: when is ritual good and when is it unworthy of Christ and of Man? Some of the darkest most evil of rituals conducted have used and blasphemed the names of Father God and of Christ. The mechanics of much which is evil is best not explained and thereby encouraged an interest in, and so it is difficult to fully give reasons as to what is and isn't acceptable.

The first consideration we would ask one to employ is this: can we measure our intent before any given procedure? Intent in occult matters is tantamount to everything. It holds more power within the ethers and beyond, because it is of the first-born driving out the will corp - it is the precursor and decider to all.

Most ritual magic has been superseded by the age itself these days. Whilst there is always a spontaneous magic coexisting alongside our natural world - where the extraordinary penetrates the mundane and is guided by higher beings and higher desires - there has been a weakening of the machinations of ordinary magic, whereupon the angel-raping and the devil conjuring is less convincing than in ages gone by. Remnants of old world mentalities and efforts still do exist, and yet a true revival is not possible because the consciousness of Man himself has been cordoned off from most of the necessary abilities - those which are required for the underdeveloped to cross worlds. (And we say the underdeveloped here, because they are the only ones who contrive the physical sciences and work the ethers so.)

Adepts who hold true ability in their development have exercised their will and desire to a degree whereupon their psychic faculties have been replaced by a higher eye. For astral capabilities within this immediate ensheathment do little to clarify the true spiritual qualities belonging to the higher astral arrangement. The organs of perception in this instance have to be formed through those gateways of virtue - the stars become eyes, as they say.

Rituals which call in the lower forces that feed around the lower astral palaver, are abhorrent to anyone or any being who associates the higher realms. Whilst this is so, it can be added too that there are different ways of getting the job done.We may ask here what is hoped for in these rituals? There are set affirmations which are tried for within the Sacraments whereupon we invite Father God and Christ into our company, into our passage. We endeavor to spiritualize formally that of this world, but we do not effectively demand it.

The prescription of the Holy Water is an example of something powerful yet relatively safe, because of the medium to begin with. It could be seen as a somewhat mechanical recipe for effectiveness were it not for the element added of personal prayer - one which must come from the heart and soul of the water-bearer, not one which is a parrot-fashion recitation. There is nothing incorrect with repetition - in fact there is a given strength in it, were a man to make of his own and use it so - but here we comment moreso on such invocations as you did bring to us within the question (now censored). Bear in mind that all such verses, all writings, are traceable to their creator. In magic one is connected to the originator of that piece, and so it goes. Therefore, is there any sweeter and more potent passage than that of the Lord’s Prayer?

Homeopathy is ritual magic utilizing a percussive effort to promote etheric qualities in potency. Newageism promotes many ritual magic practices in the realm of projecting thought-forms, visualizations, invocations etc. Transplant surgery in its disruption of the forceful processes throughout the emanatory, karmic bodies of recipients and donors incorporates a magic of men interfering with the natural law. Driving a fuel empowered vehicle is cooperating with the beings that fire the engine and would have you travel faster than you yourself can run - this is a magic too. When you have an extended ability outside of your natural means, then this is a magic - i.e. departing the otherwise natural law.

There is also another type of magic which surpasses the natural thinking and leaps into wonderment. This is High Magic because it is transformative with love. Adoration, selfless enthusiasm, rapture etc. all bring a man out from his egoic concealment and accelerate him further than he could have possibly taken himself - when the drawing magic is love inspired.

Time and time again we are provoked to question hard what it is we truly seek to effect upon this Globe and within ourselves. There will always be predictable magic and its qualifying rituals. Even the best of them, when given to tired priests or participants, are ineffectual and possibly more damaging than profitable. If there is no true spiritual or heartfelt investment living in the moment, there will be no real call effectively upon the higher worlds. For this investment we need refine our longings and infuse them with such urgent realities as they are required.

Christ Lives in the personal man. Generic religiosity as a facade is unconvincing to Heaven. He requires sincerity. Sincerity is harder to manage amongst methodology, and in this the plain path to the Father is truly through the heart, in love, humility and honesty. 

Amen