Bowing to the Sun - an ancient magick practice?

[Hm]

On another forum I posed a question for study spells. One user adviced me to "bow to the Sun 3 times a day" as it is supposed to be an ancient and powerful practise known from old civilizations. Is it true or did he just made fun of me? I wasn't quite able to examine this claim (though I tried it, of course )

[Ramscha]

Well, the sun cults have a rather old history and bowing is an old form to show respect. I don´t know if it helps for an exam, but his guess for an ancient practice can´t be that far away I think. You could give it a try though if you like.

Ramscha

[PeacockAngel]

Four times. Dawn, midday, dusk, midnight.

[Nahemah]

What Ramscha says,basically,but below there are some quoted highlights that should show how Sun adulations can indeed benefit you for study purposes as well as,potentially,so much more. [thumbup]


Other ways of putting what Peacock Angel says:

http://hermetic.com/crowley/libers/lib200.html

...; and performance of Liber Resh vel Helios (aka Liber 200), which consists of four daily adorations to the sun (often consisting of 4 hand/body positions and recitation of a memorized song, normally spoken, addressing different godforms identified with the sun).[79] While there is no dogma within Thelema that expresses the purpose behind any individual aspirant who chooses to perform "Resh", it may be noted that the practice of "Resh" is not a simple petition toward the sun, nor a form of "worshiping" the celestial body that we call the Sun, but instead uses the positioning of that source of light, which enables life on our planet, as well as uses mythological images of that solar force, so that the individual can perform the prayer, possibly furthering a self-identification with the sun, so "that repeated application of the Liber Resh adorations expands the consciousness of the individual by compelling him to take a different perspective, by inducing him to 'look at things from the point of view of the Sun...'[80]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer

And:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surya_Namaskara

http://www.artofliving.org/yoga/health- ... -beginners

...Why do Sun Salutation? This is probably the first question that comes to most of us. Sun Salutation is important for two reasons. One, it can be a great workout for the whole body – stretching, flexing and toning the muscles, an excellent exercise for weight loss. It also offers numerous health benefits beyond the physical level, relaxing the mind, leading it to meditation. Two, Sun Salutation gives us an opportunity to express gratitude to the sun, without which life on earth would be impossible!

#2 Best time to do Sun Salutation? It is a good idea to do Surya Namaskar early morning at sunrise, on an empty stomach.

#3 Can I do Sun Salutation in the evening? Yes. You can practice Sun Salutation at sunrise and sunset. When the moon is visible, you can practice Moon Salutation (Chandra Namaskar) which has one additional yoga posture in the Sun Salutation sequence...

[PeacockAngel]

Yeah I've read that Crowley article before. The way I see it, "under" the world is a position of the sun as well. I honor, Khepri, Ra, Atum, and Set for dawn, midday, dusk, and night. Not that I'm ever up at dawn, but I have a Khepri tattoo so I think that should count :p

[magari]

This is how I look at it.

That big orange blob keeps me warm and life moving.

When I was in Afghanistan it was easy to see why ancient man respected the sun so much.

Even in the desert, it gets very cold at night.

[Procel]

Sun Salutation in one form or another is common throughout human history across all cultural bounds. I do some yoga sun salutations every morning. I don't get too wrapped up about what direction I'm facing if I'm indoors, or for that matter I don't worry about it if I'm doing it before sun rise as is often the case in the winter months when the sun gets up after I do. The poster of the other site may have been sincere, or may have been sarcastic; but his advice wasn't bad. You can't go wrong bowing to the sun. The sun has been a focal point of humans spirituality since time immemorial. It is, after all, the focal point that our world spins around. There can be no doubt that bowing to the sun is indeed an ancient magickal practice.