Forgive my absence from the forum for some months, but the press of other work has kept me quite busy and preoccupied. Thank you for your indulgence.

And many thanks to all of you for your thoughtful comments on Gates of the Necronomicon. I realize this is a difficult book to understand for many; it was written about 1992 or so, when Herman Slater of the Magickal Childe Bookstore was still alive, and then disappeared after his death. I managed to locate an old hardcopy of the manuscript and was able to present it for publication last year.

There were a few difficulties with the text. In the first place, the original Gates had been set in type and was ready for printing when Herman died. No one seems to know what happened to the galleys, but a publisher advertised the book for sale in the mid-1990s and then quickly took it off the market when I made inquiries. It was never seen or heard of again.

I had a dilemma before me. Should I present the book as-is, or should I make a lot of changes and update the material? If I changed the book at all, there was always the possibility that the original would turn up somewhere and accusations would be made that the edition of Gates you have in your hands was not the real book. Considering all the accusations that have been leveled at the Necronomicon – and again, at Dead Names – I felt it was better to keep the book in its original state and only make those changes that were obviously necessary, such as the updated Tables of the Bear and a few introductory remarks. Otherwise, the copy of Gates that you have is the one that I wrote some 15 years ago.

That said, let us look at the other issue that seems to bother people the most: the role of the Elder Gods and the Ancient Ones in general.

Remember that the Necronomicon was not written by me, but edited. Gates was written by me, and so was Dead Names. There are some inconsistencies in approach between the texts, and the point of view I put forth in Gates is the one that represented my thinking at the time it was written, almost 20 years after the Necronomicon was first published. I am not a chaos magician, and I was not trying to put forth one agenda or another, but simply relating my experiences -- or the result of my experiences -- with the book. That distilled into the realization that we, as magicians, tend to anthropomorphize the gods and assign to them human attributes. This makes it easier for us to visualize them and work with the powers they represent, but it is not necessarily a strategy for the long run. Ideas like “good” and “evil” are qualities that we, as humans, assign to forces and to relationships between those forces and ourselves and do not exist in the “real” world. They are value judgments and, as such, are very useful for us in dealing with other human beings with whom we share the same understanding of those terms; when it comes to the gods, however, it is always better (in my experience) to be a bit more cautious.

This is nothing new. The Buddhists know this, and so do the Qabalists. And so do the Eastern Orthodox. We try to describe God in terms of what God is not, rather than what God is. This is called apophatism, a “negative theology” that understands that human perceptions and sensoria are inadequate to perceiving or describing the ineffable. Thus, one cannot even say that “God is good” because that would, in a sense, be limiting God. God is both good and evil or, better said, is neither good nor evil.

If we take that approach to the ongoing struggle between the Elder Gods and the Ancient Ones – as represented in the Necronomicon – we come close to understanding a valuable lesson, which is: keep your eyes open, your ears open and stay awake. Yes, guarding the Gate is necessary. I do not say that opening the Gate is wrong, but it is dangerous. We do have a humanitarian role in monitoring the Gate. The “Mad Arab” was in a state of extreme anxiety due to the activities of magicians who sought to let into our world beings that did not have our best interests at heart. That does not mean we should not Walk the Gates, nor does it mean that we should keep the Gate constantly closed; but it also does not mean that we should entirely trust one side over the other. Remember what Alan Watts once wrote: “If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him!” Experiencing the duality of the warring deities (and choosing sides) may be the most dangerous state of all, for we are neither one nor the other: according to the Sumerian creation story we have been created out of the blood of one side and the breath of the other. We, ourselves, are at war with ourselves (which pretty much sums up the global picture at the moment). How, then, to understand our role vis-à-vis the warring forces that the Necronomicon magician is called to confront?

Simple. Follow the instructions as given in the Necronomicon, with reference to Gates. Confrontation with these forces is essential if you are to understand your role in what appears to be a cosmic struggle. The forces that so frightened the Mad Arab are ones we need to fear, as well. Are they evil? That is probably the wrong question to ask. Are they dangerous? Yes, they are.

Devotion to Anu, Enlil and Enki is a good idea; keep in mind, however, that the gods operate in a different moral environment than we do. How else to explain the use – and the nature – of the Watcher, for instance? The Sumero-Babylonian Underworld is not an evil place; it’s a necessary place. Yet, it is nonetheless unpleasant and one to be avoided if at all possible, like a slaughterhouse or a morgue. Much can be learned from either place, though, and only the strong of heart (and stomach) are advised to contemplate such a visit.

I am reminded of the statement by Assyriologist Leonard W. King – and cited by R.A. Gilbert in his introduction to King’s Babylonian Magic and Sorcery – that “It must be confessed that with regard to a considerable section of the ritual we are still not in a position to follow the underlying trains of thought.” The confusion, according to King and Gilbert, rests in the mixture of religious sentiment with magical intentions, and this is an important (if at times baffling or frustrating) characteristic of the Necronomicon.

In Gates of the Necronomicon, I wanted to expand the basic structure of the Necronomicon to include other ancient spiritual systems and to show how much they had in common, not merely to “prove” the Necronomicon system but to give it more dimension by providing analogues to the Chinese and Indian systems which also focus on some of the same symbols, such as Ursa Major (which by the way is not a major focus of any of the medieval grimoires or qabalistic systems which stem from the Abrahamic, monotheistic faiths of the Middle East). These comparisons were, to me, extremely important from the point of view of scholarship and a little mind-blowing in their similarity in even small details. These comparisons seemed to be the key not only to the Necronomicon system but also to a deeper understanding of Thelemic systems (focused as they are on “Babalon”) as well as to some Theosophical concepts, etc.

In spite of less-informed criticism, there is a growing body of evidence that supports the theory that there was a great deal of commerce and communication between the Sumerian city-states and those of the Indus Valley Civilization. I suggest that the Necronomicon system may be the result of some sort of cross-fertilization with other mystical processes, some alien to Sumer and Babylon. After all, it has been my experience that the mystics of different cultures tend to understand each other better than the religionists of different cultures (well, except for this forum, perhaps!). And the importance of the Big Dipper to cultures as seemingly alien as the Chinese and the Babylonian reinforces the basic premise of the Necronomicon Gate Walking system.

So … are the seven Gates planets, or stars? To me, the seven “philosophical” planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Mars, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn) represent the first level of astral awareness, what we might call the “outer court” of the esoteric lodges. The seven stars of the Big Dipper represent an “inner court” understanding. Indeed, in many systems the seven stars of the Dipper are given planetary analogues, reinforcing a kind of spiritual identity between the two groups. Many occult systems insist that there is a gross form of the planet and a subtle or etheric form; I believe that the stars of Ursa Major represent the etheric forms of the planets in the Necronomicon system. Some systems place more emphasis on the Pleiades, others on Orion. I feel, due to the circumpolar nature of the Dipper and its importance in navigation and time-keeping since ancient times, the seven stars of the Big Dipper asterism are really where we should be looking. This point of view is born out by the Daoist practices I describe in Gates, which may themselves be a survival of shamanic rites of Central Asia which themselves may have been influenced by Babylonian magic.

Are there “traps” in either the Necronomicon and/or Gates? There are blinds that can only be discovered through actually working the system (at which point they become obvious), and this most of you already know. Close attention to the cultural comparisons I presented in Gates, however, will enable anyone to safely negotiate any shoals.

Yes, as someone wrote here, I will be soon coming upon my sixtieth year. It is a number of perfection in Sumer, better understood as “completion”. I hope to have a more comprehensive analysis of the Necronomicon system by then; but until that time, much work still needs to be done, much analysis undertaken, and all of you are on the cutting edge of that with your focus on this difficult and demanding system (made no less difficult by the slings and arrows of outrageous criticisms and unending ridicule by the patronizing and the uninformed). I am certain – especially after seeing some of the posts on this forum the past year or so – that the work you are doing is as important, if not more important, than anything I may be able to accomplish in whatever time is left for me.

There are those who will be disappointed that I have not presented a complete, thorough and all-encompassing presentation of the Necronomicon material, satisfying every angle and answering every question, but that would have been impossible and still is. Understanding the system and working with it – as well as finding analogues in other systems – is an ongoing project, made more difficult because of the lack of available source material on the pre-Islamic occult practices of the Arab Middle East. The cuneiform inscriptions of Sumer, Babylon and related civilizations are insufficient, but more is being released and analyzed each day. In addition, there is some good work being done on the Central Asian civilizations and on the Indus Valley Civilization, and this work will impact our own, I am certain.

As always, then, good luck and Good Hunting!

Very well said.
Most on the board are very one sided and fail to understand the danger on full service to either side. And you may have more time then you think. I once had Pazuzu show up in the flesh and he stated he couldn't touch me but he did destroyed many around me. I have found the power chooses it own. One must take more of a gray path to proceed with this power. Also your work has been a eye opener for the world.
Good Luck
Alric Thomas


(NOTE: I removed the quote from your response as being totally unnecessary! PLEASE don't post full quotes directly after the author has set them down. It is unnecessary waste of space! Thanks- MODSQUAD)

This post has been edited by bym: Jan 22 2007, 08:59 PM

I happen to agree that the Necronomicon influenced Sumer/Babylonian system we are using is a system that is still in flux. We can look at the past for clues and this might aid us, but in reality it is each of our own responsiblities to do the work ourselves, call the names, walk the gates--and conquer our own souls. I deeply believe that we all in here are very much on the cutting edge (or trenches) of this forgotten system by our use of it--which in my opinion is the only way to truly re-discover the wisdom. Books are nice, but experience brings w/ it wisdom quicker than any book can ever dream of.

Sure at times I personally can be judgemental--and that most likely derives from my emotional state at the said time---but I can see that and work on it. This is how we should all work w/ this system--look in the mirror always and attack that false and illusionary psuedo-guide that masquerades as our intuition.

So w/ each ritual we each do we accumulate the forgotten wisdom. It becomes personal and deeply related to our souls base level--that is the only way as far as I can see! As far as "made up" rituals and seals--so what---who says these arent inspired and real just because some high-priest on his high horse hasnt given his OK? Intuition and real experience shall be the frame work and structure---and the honesty towards ones soul is the furniture in this temple of the Necronomicon!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
I was thinking, if the elder Gods aint that much interested in our well being, then why they made the gates available for us to walk... The goal of the gate according to me is to unlock certain parts of your mind and in the gate you do get the tools to be better magician etc if you show you are worthy of them... But ultimately why would the Gods provide us with gates if they in the first place did not wish us progress etc...

I do get confused here.... Unless you mean to say as precaution better set a foot on each embarcation. If one sinks, jump on the other.... Or is it that we are independent and we need to think of the human race first and that we need all knowledge we cant gather even if its from the ancient ones??? But why would the ancient ones help us if not for a hidden agenda.. The same could appply for the elders.. but dude thats quite confusing for me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/baby.gif) .

Greetings, And welcome back Frater Simon,

I completely agree when it comes to the Elder Gods. I feel it is indeed irresponsible to assign to them a title such as 'good' or 'evil'. I like to say they are more than good or evil. I believe that what we humans call good and evil are like memories of 'heaven'. i.e., It's the spiritual memory of the dualism from which we are born.
When it comes to the Ancients, ahh, now they I feel are LESS than good or evil, just as the Elders are more. To be something more than good and evil, is to become the basis for the act of creation. It to be both the water and soil that creates clay, which can become many forms.
Whereas the Ancients are Void. They are the antithesis of creation. So it is also fair, I feel, to say that the Ancients aren't evil or good either. Just in the opposite manner of the Elder Gods.
As for siding with one force or the other. Well, I think it's just a matter of deciding what's best for humans. If we side with the Elders and support the defeat of the Ancients in this cosmic struggle, then there's probably a good chance the Elder Gods will keep a place for us in the scheme of things. Whereas if the Ancients 'win', humanity (even those who supported the Ancients), are just going to be swept away.
Not because the Ancients are evil, just because they represent non-existence. The vacuum of space in not evil, but it will destroy life in an instant just because of it's inherent nature.

Also, your description of the underworld, of Ganzir, is very astute. I recently completed the Walking of the Gate of our Lord Marduk Kurios, and therefore had to Walk Ganzir in the prescribed manner. In many ways it was what I expected, but in others it was stunningly different. I really saw how it fits into things, the utter necessity of it. I felt like I was walking within the foundation, the layer holding many things up.

Mystick; I'm not sure I would say the Gates exist for our benefit. That the Elder Gods created them for us. It's my suspicion that the Gates, whether as we perceive them or not, existed a long while before we showed up on the stage. I feel that they are integral parts of existence and it's many layers, like Pathways through the Veils. Much as the Paths between the Sephioh, with the Gate Gods equating to the Sephiroh themselves.
I'd further postulate that the Gates themselves are inherently separate from the God that they are associated with. What I mean is that, the Gate doesn't 'contain' the deity. I feel that the Gate and what we experience within it is both macro- and micro- cosmic.
It's macrocosmic in that we are experience on one level, something that is outside of us. (The Veils, the Deity, certain archetypal forms.)
It is microcosmic in that it fundamentally alters our perception while we're connected to it.
I suppose I think of the Gates as being like an electrical socket. You can touch the socket, look at it, experience it. But if you stick your finger into it, you experience the electricity, even though the electricity isn't a part of the socket. It just can be reached through it.

Peace,
Abba Lugal Nosotro Tehuti.

Greetings Simon,

It has always been pleasant to hear your thoughts here. If you peruse the Nec threads you will see that there has been much debate on Gates while you were away. I


Welcome back.

Is this the real Simon in our presence?

Greetings 'ObsidianLF',

Yes he is the real editor of the Necronomicon. Not to be confused with the Simon of American Idol <JOKE>


Peace

Greetings
He most certainly is , but know such a man is very busy doing what he dos so try not to trouble him with unimportant e mails and such.

Respectfully
Nebo

Wow I was wrong about you, I am surprised to see you back on this message board. After gates was published I got a vibe that you didn't care anymore.



I would have thought you would rather have made a lot of changes, and updated the material, and then wrote in the Introduction that you have done so. You had to know assholes like me and dan harms would be shouting from ziggurats about inconsistencies! Most of all you should know it would confuse people that where standing behind you after dead names. It almost seems senseless and lazy to opt not to change the original.





The world of occult is full of deception, egomaniacs, and people using magic to control people and seek power as I am sure you read in peter levenda's sinister forces. With most people believing the book was made up, and with your story of the original MS being a hard pill to swallow, and with the necronomicon being such a top seller (as far as occult books go), it makes one question your agenda when you see your views change like that without an explanation (plus I never trusted the system to begin with cause of experiences I have had, but it is oddly powerful and seems to get more powerful as time goes on). Awareness tells you not to believe anything, but to question, explore, doubt and discover for yourself what is the truth.



I would also like to know what you experienced to cause your views and thinking to change.

This post has been edited by distillate: Jan 24 2007, 04:48 PM

Greetings
"With most people believing the book was made up, and with your story of the original MS being a hard pill to swallow, and with the necronomicon being such a top seller (as far as occult books go)"
Well Simon presumed the binding was damaged but knowing some thing about Arabic books in the differing country's and times
many were not bound at all but were lose sheets or fascicles in pasteboard or leather case some times the leather case was inside the paste board.box.
If Simon known this he will have wrote so but he did not and secessfuly discribe an arabic book of that time oh there were bound books mostly Korans but most seekers use the cases.

Nebo

Nebo,
Hi what are the cases? And what does that have to do with this thread? I am not attacking you just asking simple questions. Welcome back Simon and also welcome back Alric. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I am happy to see the both of you back here. As you are each authors of some renown to me. Simon while its true that I had wished there was more to the Gates of the Necronomicom; I am still over joyed to have another book about the subject out there. Alric, I have yet to get your book, but I would like to get a copy. Where can I acquire one? Either way I am extremely happy to see you both back. Please stick around I'm sure I'm not the only one that has questions for both of you.
With Respect,
gmcbroom

Greetings

Simon successfully descried what a student (of that time)had to copy or compose a book sheets of paper or fascicles of same and a case and/or box to keep his/her creations in.
Now I'm sure "the Mad Arab" with a secret book of magic will have been reluctant to take it to a book binder and many books few did till about the 19th century few writers know this THUS Simon presumed the book damaged but the original case and/or box may have been replaced the paper part the text it self was not .

Nebo

mad arab named herman.

I do think this part of gates is beautiful however.

"Experiencing the duality of the warring deities (and choosing sides) may be the most dangerous state of all, for we are neither one nor the other:"


Being a soldier for either side might require one to make the ultimate sacrifice for the struggle. This isn't a sign of bad intent by these entities, but a recognition of the reality of any war, physical or spiritual.


The flip side of this analogy is that not belonging to either army may leave one, at times, without the protection of either

This post has been edited by Edunpanna: Apr 12 2007, 07:46 AM

I believe that as well. Once you start down the path by getting either sides attention then you should chose a side before they chose it for you. The only truly safe are those completely ignorant of the system entirely. There have been many posts on this board that talk about people picking up the system and then for what ever reason stopping with it, only to be brought back into it years later by a strange coincidence or what not. So now that we're all here we should make the most of it which ever side you choose.
gmcbroom

I see your point, but I am of the opinion that safety is an illusion. No one gets out of here alive. I was at ground zero for hurricane Katrina, and the shattering of the illusion of safety has wrecked psychological havoc on many here. I think one reason many of walk this path, or are called to it, is that we long recognized at some level that there is no safety and made the choice to look this ugly truth in the eye, rather than be sedated by a pretty lie.

Greetings Simon , I respect you greatly for bringing this strange and wonderful text to light

In the Necronomicon I found a directness I could not find in any other system, and a power that doesn't debase it's self by pessenting it's self as a friendly way of wich just is't true
Magick is a risk a danger and even suicide for some why B.S about it

if mortals must tinck with devine things then at least let us know what it is we do instead of hiding behind a lie

severing the elders can be and is often dangerous , if anyone though it was safe that the gods truly adored us , well i'm sorry for them

I find they kick my butt on a regular basis but when i give them everything since that is what they gave me , they are well disposed toward me and that is all ask

if want love i have my wife

if i want to do somthing to save this miserable planet from an untimely return of a force that hates all that is with no concern for covenents and the like then i need power and knowlage guided by wisdom to use it
and thats where the necronomicon comes in handy and service the the gods,a nessecity

thank you for the mode to follow the path that only the strong or mad follow

Agreed, this path in not for the fluffies or the delusional. If ur looking for the quick fix to salvation, dont come looking in the Necro. There u will only find a way to do it for urself--THATS IT! The Gods only help u as much as u help urself. That has been my experience as well.

Welcome PT!