Newbie questions

[jimmyjames]

I have been practicing magic with a focus on ceremonial magic for a little over a month now. I have dabbled in occult research for years. I question how quickly one should move forward with there studies and the practicing of rituals. I began with meditation and the practice of visualization and just did that for a couple weeks and then began doing the relaxation ritual and tarot contemplation ritual as outlined in the book modern magic. I have now been performing the LBRP once or twice a day for a week. I have read that I should do just this ritual for a month before moving on to anything more difficult. Should I stick with this ritual for that long a period of time before moving forward? I am not in a rush but I feel I could be doing more. I am learning the major arcana of the tarot and am going to start learning the hebrew alphabet. Should I learn those things before moving forward in ritual practice?
My next questions are about joining a magical organization. I have been looking into the Golden Dawn and a couple of similar groups and wondered what the thoughts were on these groups. Are they just a way for some "guru" to make a quick buck or are they legitimate groups? If there are some good organizations out there which ones? I see quite a few different Golden Dawns out there with different reputations.

Thanks

[Stukov]

I know something about the Golden Dawn...I have to remember it then decipher if it was about the actual group or a clan/guild in a game...will get back to you.

[jimmyjames]

I have been doing a lot of research into the different Golden Dawn groups and have e-mailed a few of them. I should find out everything I need to know about them to make a decision about joining one or not soon. I have another question though. Does anyone ever feel high after doing the LBRP? I performed it today and afterwords felt high, almost like I was stoned. I am new to this stuff and today I really felt like I did a great job performing the ritual and had great success visualizing and feeling the pentagrams. I just wondered if it was normal to feel this way after the ritual.

[Stukov]

For what purpose do you wish to join GD?

[jimmyjames]

I tend to learn more in settings were I am with like minded people. It seems like a group that is interested in the pursuit of magic to find a higher consciousness. I find there to be a great importance in intiation as well. I don't really see any other groups that offer initiation into the study of ceremonial magic. I am still new to a lot of this stuff so I could be wrong but you dont grow as a person without taking risks. I am willing to take a chance at bettering myself through a strong organization rather than try and figure things out on my own with a few books. It seems like the right way to go.

[Stukov]

Well if you have no problem sacrificing parts of yourself or getting stuck into the cult atmosphere of it all, then yeah its probably up your alley.

[jimmyjames]

What would you suggest? I am open to ideas that is why I joined this forum.

[Stukov]

Any of my ideas doesn't fit in to the "paradigm" that which you seemed to be interested in.

[jimmyjames]

I am a pretty open person and am willing to see other points of view. If you have any ideas that have worked for you and might work for me please share. I have been known to change my mind about things from time to time.

[Stukov]

Alright then I would have to know what it is is you wish to accomplish. Your overall goal, path, or whatever. Or anything specific far as abilities.

[jimmyjames]

I would like to better myself. I am not really trying to find "power" or anything like that. I am interested in growing spiritually and magically as a person. I am also intersted in lucid dreaming and astral travel as I have had dreams and visions or feelings of future events since I was a teenager and would like to better understand how to use and manage that ability.

[Stukov]

Ahh, much more down my alley. So to know where we are starting, are you able to do mind blanks (lay down in the dark and think of nothing) and how good are you at activating "chakras" or pulling down higher self, or pulling up lower self?

[jimmyjames]

I am getting pretty good at blanking out thought. I have not tried any "chakra" work yet. I have been starting with the LBRP and trying to learn the magor arcana of the tarot and am going to be starting to learn the hebrew alphabet soon. I have been following the lessons in the book Modern Magic so far. I have also read the book Chicken Qabala. I have also been keeping a diary of all my meditation and ritual practice.

[Stukov]

First off forgive me if this types out wrong I'm on a hotel bed typing on my touchpad. Also it has taken me some time to remember where I began my process a while back. The purpose of what I can help you with is to strengthen your power from within and integrate the personality of your higher, middle, and lower selves.

I did this because I am an old spirit with a specific purpose here on this world and this process is somewhat tailored for that, but it should be applicable to other people and different types of spirits. The first goal is to find out who you are on a human level, then on a spiritual level. Most everyone has something in their past as it is rare even with 7 billion people on the plane, that a person is born with a brand new spirit. Earth is a place where humans, animals, spirits, gods, aliens, angels, and demons incarnate in the form of human beings.

What I can offer is a path that you be able to discover who you are as a person and as a spirit, then integrate these together into a single unified self. The next step after that is to 'power up' your self to increase your awareness, develop connections, empower current abilities, and develop new abilities.

continued next post

[Stukov]

continued from above

So to be clear I haven't read any books, articles, or websites regarding any sort of magic, rituals, or anything beyond historical knowledge such as stuff like gods, angels, demons, spirits, etc. Any other information is more generic knowledge either retrieved from people describing in posts or a brief description in like Wikipedia.

I started my journey before having access to anything and it wasn't until several years later did I find other people with similar experiences that I could share vocabulary with. I am almost entirely self taught and continue to purposely avoiding reading anything on something I am developing so I can discover and create it on my own.

To my understanding ceremonial magic is replicating a specific form someone else created for the purpose of what was created for. Like running a computer program developed for tasks. Like if you want to write, you use Word, want to browse the net, you use Firefox, and etc. Chaos magic seems to pick out lines of code from different programs, then compiling them all into a program they design.

What I do is build from the ground up so I have complete control and understanding of what I create. I do not have to worry about doing something I don't like, or having hidden back doors or viruses. If you wish my assistance I will assist you so you can do the same, build your own techniques and form.

The self discovery and integration process should be mostly universal, though there may be caveats of difference due to inherent differences in past forms.

So let me know if this interests you. I might type more if I'm still awake later.

[jimmyjames]

Yes, I am interested. I will give you a little overview of where I come from. I have since I was very young had a strong interest in the occult. I was raised in a catholic home and that is probably why I like ceremony and tradition. When I got into my teenage years I began having dreams that would come true. It really freaked me out. It was normally about bad things like deaths of serious injuries. I became scared to sleep and by my twenties was drinking a lot to keep from dreaming as much. I still would occasionally have premonitions. I knew my grandmother had died on the exact hour and had told a friend that, who of course looked at me like I was crazy until they got a phone call in the morning asking for me.
I stopped having those sort of dreams after a while. It was probably because I was on a downward spirial and out of control with my drinking amongst other things. I finally decided to stop running from my problems and fears and deal with them. I stopped drinking in excess and began taking care of my self. I began to have the dreams again. I am now married and have a good job. I have fought with my personal demons and won. I am now looking for growth on the personal level.
I researched a little bit about what higher and lower self was by definition after your post last night though I had my own ideas I wanted to make sure they were congruant with yours. I believe I have found my lower self and learned to know its wants. I am looking for my higher self or at least a greater connection as I believe I have had glimpses of it. Please give me some ideas to research or help my growth. I don't know if I will use everything but I will definitly see what works for me and let you know.

[srvdv93]

I can say from experience at having been apart of a group, the OTO. That it was some what beneficial, and somewhat not beneficial. What you will get will be like minded individuals to learn from and make friends with. The initiations are very worth the effort however, as they jump kick you, and open things within you. There is a cult like atmosphere to deal with, and just like any group, you will have your drama, and your assholes to deal with. However there will also be those worth meeting and learning from. If you enjoy socializing and need the boost, it could be a great way to get started. There are other options as well though. There are many books out there outlining in detail the order of study and ritualistic practices dependent upon their grades, and how long it takes to complete each one. Magick in Theory and Practice book 4 has a section in the back of it for that and so does the Golden Dawn. There also published initiation rites out there in book form that you can buy, they aren't so secret after all. Atleast not for the lower grades I have one of the Zelator grade in my book stack, I found at a bookstore. Joining a group does grant you the usuage of others to help perform your initiation rites and to guide you, where as doing them yourself would prove to be a bit harder and more open to confusion.

There is also the route of finding a teacher, who will instruct you personally one on one. I have done both group and personal teacher. I have to say I benefited more effectively from one on one training with my teacher. However finding a good teacher who knowns his stuff takes some digging around. I was fortunate in that mine found me instead, and glad he did when he did.

Basic rituals are definitely needed to learn first and to practice intensely before moving on. Take your time with these things, and don't rush it. As far as reading and researching, research and read to what your heart desires, no harm in that. It is wise to discover the reason you desire to practice magick, and to what end. What your purpose and will with it is, and you may think you know now, but develop it deeper, with more introspection, and it will be more rewarding to you in the end.

My teacher instructed me upon these rituals as basics when I was first practicing, so I thought I would share them with you. I know that in my doing of them, they have progressed me and helped me immensely.

LBRP,
Star Ruby,
Liber Yod
Relaxation Rituals,
Liber Resh,
Meditation,
Middle Pillar,
contemplation upon a tarot card each time,
and Rose Cross.

Some things to start off learning of benefit would be Kabbalah, Tarot, Chakras, and I recommend highly since you are interseted in the GD more, to read Israel Regardie he was of the Golden Dawn, and his works are are very informative, and the way he approaches magick from a psychological point of view makes it very easy read and and very easy to pick up and develop a path from there.

[jimmyjames]

Thanks for the suggestions. I was actually going to look for a couple books today. I have really been doing a ton of research in my spare time. I do the relaxation ritual, LBRP, then tatrot contemplation daily. Those are the only rituals I perform right now. I am still trying to get a better grasp on the LBRP before I begin the Middle Pillar. I have been feeling a big diffrerence in the results of the LBRP the past few times I have performed it. I am not set on any one path yet. Ceremonial magic has been something I had researched in the past so it seemed to be a good place to start.

[srvdv93]

No problem. Research your heart out, is the way to go, the more you know the more you grow. yes that was cheesy as hell. I think you should go ahead and practice the middle pillar, no need to wait to get skilled at LBRP to start it too. The middle pillar is not summoning of anything in your vicinity, so no need to worry about protection or banishing. The Middle Pillar is a meditative exercise, and practice that helps you balance your energies, it balances the two sides of your brain, logic and emotion. Very good for your well being, and strong health benefits. Go on give her a try tonight...it is the best ritual I've done thus far in my career. The results from it are powerful enough to knock you off your feet though, forewarn, so please do keep lots of space with soft pillowy surfaces or carpet, no hard edged tables. The first time I did it I nearly fell over from the rush, it was the best high I ever had in my life. I felt intense happiness and calmness, strong inner peace. The breathing though, the breathing exercise in it will give you a rush...for sure. But breathing exercises are good for your health, stress, and etc. No harm in doing that ritual.

There are many different groups out there, and many different paths. Take your time and find the one that is right for yah.

[srvdv93]

out of curiosity what were your results upon doing the LBRP?

[jimmyjames]

I have found a sense of oneness with everything when I feel I did a good job on the ritual. I feel kinda stoned too. Everything feels clean and right with the world I think would be the best way I could explain it.
I took a little trip today and found an occult shop. I found a copy of Middle Pillar by Israel Regardie and a Rider-Waite tarot deck that I picked up. I have a Books-a-Million gift card my mother sent me so I think I am gonna order a few other books from there online site this week. I will check into starting the middle pillar ritual soon.

[srvdv93]

The LBRP does give you that feeling afterwards of everything being right, and put back into place. I always feel a high when I finish my rituals as well, a super buzz, better then being stoned, because it's much clearer, much more pure. I sometimes get visualisations with my LBRP as when I'm doing it, I was just curious to know if I was the only freak that got that.

The Middle Pillar is a great book, he has a few others too, A Garden of Pomegranates and the Tree of Life. Book 4 by Crowley is an excellent book to get, basics of magick, rituals, theory and meditation, but it is biased towards Thelema, yet you can use and discard what you like. Lon Milo has some good books as well out there to check out. Dion Fortune's Qabalah is better then Mather's in easier reading, his is a bit harrowing. I have both and to be honest I didn't finish his because it was that thick and jumbled. A bit disorganized, and somethings seem out of order.

The Rider deck is a good common deck to start with. I like the Toth Deck myself, I also really would like to get the BOTA deck.

Enjoy the Middle Pillar exercise, it's a good one to do daily. Helps you feel balanced, and it has great health benefits. Put the two together LBRP first then Middle Pillar, and that will be a great buzz there for you. Sometimes I like to take a walk afterwards and contemplate how everything in the world is connected to me, that if I didn't exsist this wouldn't exsist, I mean in the literal term it would, but it wouldn't because I wouldn't be interpreting it, so in a sense it wouldn't. I try to exercise in percieving the world around me and that everything in it is something I created from my being, because I'm the interpreter. I know that was a bit weird of an explanation, just try a walk afterwards and viewing the world around you as you are the centre of it, and it is your creation, it's simply divine.

[jimmyjames]

I have decided to wait a couple more weeks before trying the Middle Pillar ritual. I have been trying to perfect different aspects of the LBRP and don't feel I am ready for more yet. I have been getting very interesting results with my Tarot Card Contemplation since changing to the new tarot deck. I have been getting the Hanged Man and the High Preistess only and have performed the ritual 6 times over the past 4 days. Any thoughts on the repeating results or the meaning?

[srvdv93]

That is interesting the tarot results you keep receiving. In all practice it is important to keep record of events, so definitely keep a magickal diary and record these results, include your dreams as well, if you can remember them when you first wake up. There are many books on dream interpretation, choose one carefully because some are feeble. With all results compare them together, to get a bigger picture of the message you are receiving. Also meditating upon your results is good way to discover more about your results. While I believe it is more to the practicioner and their individual working which is personal to that person and their holy work. I would say, how does it make you feel, what was your first impression upon viewing those cards, and what was your first thought upon this matter. Not your second, or your third, but your first, usually that one is the correct one.

But I will answer in what I know, and what I see of the card revealing from my perspective, and what I know of the cards. You can use this for food for thought, and see if it resonates with what you intepreted from the readings. With the Hanged man and the Priestess, I'm seeing first that you might be doing your rituals at night, as they represent water, and the moon, both aspects of night. Second, the Hanged man represents the surrender of the ego to higher endeavors, and the High Priestess is the most divine symbol of one's union with their secret lover and that of the female counter part in union. I researched these meanings out of Sex Magic, Tantra and Tarot, By Christopher Hyatt and Lon Milo DuQuette. First book sitting infront of me this morning, as I'm waking up for work and my morning cup of coffee. With this I see it as a message confirming your intentions and your will upon pursuing magick, hopefully it is to spiritually advance which through any form of advancement one must surrender their ego in order to make room to find their true nature, and to do their will without a lust of result. Secondly it confirms your desire for union and your intentions of uniting the opposites, male and female, and union also of your higher self or HGA. So it confirms your desire and intent upon pursuing magick in the purpose of surrendering your ego to find your true nature and true will and do that under the supremest of acts of union with one's secret lover and one's higher self, HGA>

That's my take on it. Don't take that as the answer, just merely something to contemplate, and see if it fits how you feel about it, and what your meditations upon it say.

On a lighter manner, and just being well humorous, so please take no offense, maybe it just means you need to shuffle your deck more next time.":) That was in humor and jest...I do know that one can get results many times similar, I myself have had that experience.

[Stukov]

I assume I need not respond, I have been quiet as it seemed you was getting the information you desired, no?