Introductions... Are A B!#*h Options

Hello all! You can call me Mace, I'm from an tiny secluded town in the Pacific Northwest, and in exactly 5 days i will be legal to smoke, gamble, and sign up for a credit card. Not that I plan to do any of them, unless of course you have a turkish chocolate cigar handy. Damn they're good (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

I've been interested in the occult (magick, otherkin, etc...) since i was very young. I've first dabbled in the occult about two and a half years ago, then off and on since then, though whenever I've started to get serious i then proceed to be swept up in other events going on in my life. I believe that ritualistic magic is very effective for myself as it tends to focus my easily distracted mind. I am ,however, more interested in those more direct paths to manipulating the world around us.

I would be grateful to anyone who is willing to share effective methods for balancing oneself. I believe that some of my attributes result from some kind of inbalance. For instance: my temperature hovers around 96.8, and my blood pressure is 58/104. Stimulants and depressants have inverse effects on me, caffeine=sleep, alcohol=energetic. Strangely I seem to have no pressure points. My body metabolises things very quickly. I have a mild case of OCPD and I test out as highly gifted. I pan out as a highly gifted procrastinator.

As far as paranormal experiences, I have had a few minor run ins but nothing extraordinary. I talked to some kind of entity(ghost or otherwise) named Bones from ages 2-4. I would write it off as a normal imaginary friend, but my mother tells me that my conversations were much too fleshed out to be the product of a toddler, and that i could see this "Bones". Personally I have no recollection of this guy. Is there a way to tap into this former connection? I still live in the same house. At 4, my brother made me watch the movie Leprechaun, which really scared me at the time (now the little ugly thing is either funny or completely lame). So, from 4-12 I lived in fear of what the darkness held. Most of the time i was just paranoid, but several times i had real physical encounters with something. A product of my experiences from an earlier period of my life maybe? Who knows. At 15 I became extremely fascinated by vampires. A little surf online and I was among fellow teenagers who believed that they were BECOMING vampires (IMG:style_emoticons/default/zombie.gif) . Their signs of "awakening" were traits that i possessed (good night vision, low body temp, slow pulse, paleness, sharp canines, thirst for blood? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/whistling.gif) ) Luckily I decided that i wasn't an awakening blood sucker and resumed sunbathing. In Belgium,where i spent my junior year on exchange, (learned french, made some great friends, visited 50-100 bars, learned how to dress, and travelled a bit) I was however certifiably attacked by a vampire. I awoke briefly in the night to an opened window, a dark and distinctively female presence crushing me down, and a sharp pain in my neck before struggling briefly and falling back unconscious. The next morning i was incredibly weak and a quick look in the mirror revealed a set of bite marks on my neck. Whatever attacked me certainly wasn't a confused awakening adolescent so despite not being one, i have had a vampiric encounter.

Being in Belgium must have affected my biology somehow, because my body has been functioning differently ever since. I can no longer stay up for endless amounts of time without tiring(84 hours was my record), endure cold, or even apparently create psi balls. I've actually started to have normal reactions to medicine(never used to) which might actually be a positive. If you have an idea why these changes happened or how to reverse them I'd be happy to hear it.

Alrighty, I'll wrap it up with a normal short biography(probably should be at the beginning, huh?). I am the youngest cousin in an extended Catholic family of 50 (in a town with less than 1k people). I am a scholar-athlete, i play football, basketball, track, rugby(in Belgium), and golf, albeit my school being in the smallest sports classification (IMG:style_emoticons/default/showoff.gif) . I am President of the NHS and the student body. I'm a voracious reader, an occasional hunter, a music lover, a fitness freak, a song writer, an aspiring novelist, and a multi-college applicant(15of them). Lest you think I'm rich because of exchange, know that my mother is a janitor and my dad is 500 miles away and unemployed. I work for my money, I've done it for the past 4 years. And lest you think I'm arrogant, know that I'm homely(lots of acne)(got a spell for that?), introverted, and have too many other flaws to list.

Et voilà, finalement, le conclusion. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/004.gif)

There you have it. You now know me better than most of my family and certainly all of my friends. Any social veiling or dishonesty was stripped away for the writing of this. Perhaps in the reading of it, you've already grown to like or dislike me. If the latter, I urge you to please delay your final judgment. I'm not always like this. Promise.

Now that you know of some of my experiences, problems, and desires perhaps you'd care to share some insight?

(Why couldn't I have spent these words on writing an admissions essay?)

Greetings Mace LLywelyn!

LOL! Welcome to the Forum! As the resident Old Fart and Curmudgeon I found your intro highly engaging and very interesting. If you have been formally diagnosed with OCPD then your short bio belies a certain reckless maverick striving for release! I'd have you figured more as an ADD type as your various medical symptoms would suggest. The blood pressure is more than odd...I'm not sure that it is possible, outside of being a potatoe, but...?

I'm glad that you haven't caved to peer pressure with the vampire craze...it seems that alot of younger people seek out thrills and rebellious attitudes when they start 'flexing' their wings. I am, however, very interested in your vampiric encounter. Alot of said encounters tend to be dramatized for any number of reasons, legitimate or otherwise.

We have a great group of members and a sterling Moderator crew who will be very helpful in your journey(s). I look forward to reading your comments and contributions to the discussions here. Please take time to read the guidelines and make sure to ask questions if you aren't clear about something. Again, welcome! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

As bym said, welcome aboard, Mace!

In 12 years of Internet use, this is the only online forum I've encountered so far where I can honestly say that I've liked everyone I've come across. The people here are fantastic...and just through randomly surfing I'm sure you'll pick up loads of information about whatever it is that you're interested in doing, magically speaking.

Is there any particular subtopic that's caught your eye? I originally found this forum while I was looking for info about how to evoke my first servitor, personally. Chaos can be fun, but I'm also wanting to heed what some of the traditionalists here are saying and go a little more old school as well.

Welcome to the forum. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lightning.gif)
i must honestly say i didnt read all that but the beginning and some in the middle and the end.
Enough to say you seem like a nice person and i wish to greet you welcome....
I wondered if there was anybody else nutty wrting on a forum during x-mas morning and there was.
well i,ll be here as usual reading trough forum i think i have soon been trough the whole thing.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/insane.gif)

Nice to meet you bym & Petrus! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye.gif)

In 12 years of Internet use, this is the only online forum I've encountered so far where I can honestly say that I've liked everyone I've come across. The people here are fantastic...and just through randomly surfing I'm sure you'll pick up loads of information about whatever it is that you're interested in doing, magically speaking.

Glad to see my post was well received here. This is definitely a standout forum in the occult community.

I'd have you figured more as an ADD type as your various medical symptoms would suggest. The blood pressure is more than odd...I'm not sure that it is possible, outside of being a potatoe, but...?

Yeah... I got the numbers backwards didn't I? I think i meant to just put the diastolic down and then ended up adding the other one at the end... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fool.gif) .

As far as being diagnosed with OCPD, ADD, or something else? My mom is not the kind of person who allows medical trips to be made unless its life threatening. I had to beg, wheadle, and cajore her to get my knee checked out after a football injury (out for three weeks) and i think I've been to the doctor four times(twice for a checkup to go on exchange) I do have ADD symptoms, which may be either ADD, bipolar disorder, or something on another order entirely. Of course, if you read the vague warning symptoms of all these disorders, I'm sure most people would convince themselves that they have 50% of them. So, I suppose from now on I'll wait to profess a disorder until I'm old enough to make my own trips to the doctor. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/offtopic.gif) (You know, different friends of mine in separate parts of the world have very differing opinions on what kind of person I am. Yeah, some might think I'm a maverick (IMG:style_emoticons/default/irvine.gif) but others think I'm super quiet, others that I'm a barhopping meat head, and a few others I'm sure just think I'm crazy) (I've had a problem like that for a while. I suppose it comes from being a dilettante in so many different areas and then blundering into all these abundant stereotypes)

I am, however, very interested in your vampiric encounter. Alot of said encounters tend to be dramatized for any number of reasons, legitimate or otherwise.

Well really theres not much else to be told. There was little sound. She(I'm sure of it) was immensely stronger than me, my head was forced to the side, i felt a press against my neck, and then i just sort of blacked out. I did have a strong urge for her to return for the next two days but then it faded away and afterwards I thought it strange that I had wanted a return visit. I scrutinized people on the street to see if i could somehow sense if it was her. I guess I was just an In-N-Out burger and shake, no mystical experience. Kind of brings it home that you don't want to mess with those kind of creatures though, if they can subdue you so easily.

Is there any particular subtopic that's caught your eye?

You know really I'm just trying to build a base at the moment. Most of the discussions seem to be on summoning different spirits, entities, and on creating servitors. The idea of dealing with something like that actually scares me, no matter how benevolent the summoned being is. Being terrified of things that hide in the dark for nearly a decade might have something to do with it.

I know I'll have to deal with it sooner or later if i want to pursue magick, but i want the power to come from ME. Gaining power from an entity might be more acceptable than constantly demanding tasks though. How would an entity react to someone with an inherent fear of it?

I would like to be able to take my energy manipulation to another level. Biokenesis is interesting as well.

I wondered if there was anybody else nutty wrting on a forum during x-mas morning and there was.

It's christmas eve isn't it? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused012.gif)

Yeah well I'm letting some steam off after riding a bus for most of the past two weeks and getting my feet tenderized on a hardwood court. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/06.gif) I'm definately a little nutty though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/starspin.gif)

Lets see... Finland is what GTIME +1 or 2? I thought about going to Finland. It was number 2 after Belgium. Of course if i had worked it out better I'd have gone to Japan first and then Belgium for a gap year. I'm too old to get into a program for Japan now. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rant.gif)

Here its 2 a.m. now and I'm going to read for a while before getting some sleep. Good night everyone.

You know really I'm just trying to build a base at the moment. Most of the discussions seem to be on summoning different spirits, entities, and on creating servitors. The idea of dealing with something like that actually scares me, no matter how benevolent the summoned being is. Being terrified of things that hide in the dark for nearly a decade might have something to do with it.

Yeah, but one of the cool things about evocation is that from what I'm seeing, you actually ideally learn how to get rid of things that hide in the dark before you deal with actually summoning them. Other thing is that it's a big universe out there...and you only really need to summon things which will leave a stench of brimstone in your living room if you want to. There are plenty of positive or angelic beings, and hardly anyone ever mentions those...the reason for that is that as my signature says, evocation is used by most people as a form of thrillseeking, similar to skydiving or train surfing. A lot of the people who do it actually enjoy danger, and so that's why they summon demons. I'm only going to focus primarily on non-demonic entities myself...if I ever do go for any of the Goetics, it will only be if I've got someone else with me, and only after I've done a lot of research on the target being, to ensure that they're not likely to throw anything at me that I can't handle.

Evocation is only one kind of magic...Peter Carroll in particular identifies several. If you want something more minor first, maybe pick up some astrology or tarot...that presumably won't hurt you. I've also been working on getting the Qabbalistic Cross and LBRP down myself, as well as reading more about energy raising.

Another newbie friendly activity I've discovered is sigilisation. I wouldn't use it for more than anything minor probably myself, but you can still summon servitors and do various other cool tricks with it. The old school types here don't like it much at all, but philosophically speaking, I've actually found Chaos highly useful, in a number of ways. The only thing I'd advise with it is not letting it become the totality of your perspective...use it in certain areas, but care about form, ceremony, and procedure where appropriate as well. A hard core Chaote will probably try and tell you that you don't need the old school at all, but given that in most cases, they will have actually read up on the old ways themselves before rejecting them, that means they're simply trying to rob you of the benefits of also reading about the old stuff as well.

The other dinosaur in the living room that you'll inevitably come across (if you haven't already) is the looming shadow of Aleister Crowley, usually colloquially referred to as Uncle Al. I've read very little Crowley, myself...I've tried to read more, but I find his style very difficult to get into. I also find him insufferably arrogant and pretentious as well, from most of what I have seen...and in truth I have very little time for that, personally. However, there are some people who will doubtless try and tell you that he almost single-handedly invented the entire concept of magic, more or less...so don't let me or anyone else alienate you from his material, as I'm sure there's a lot there that could be useful. I personally try and avoid gratuitous hero worship of anyone however, myself...I feel that objectivity is good.

One other minor issue that you might come into contact with is the seeming abundance of Satanists in particular, and talk of the "right and left hand paths." I'm told that deciding reasonably clearly which way to go in terms of the proverbial black or white question can be helpful, particularly where evocation is concerned. I try and linger somewhere between the red/grey (neutral) and white areas of the spectrum myself...although apparently Chaos is generally considered a left hand style.

Since in your intro you don't mention your specific theistic inclinations, I'll say that you will also probably want a God, if you haven't already got one. They tend to be very useful if an evocation goes south, so I'm told...and apparently some people, when using forms of divination like tarot and such, actually call on their deity of choice to choose the cards for them, rather than whichever powers do it usually. Christianity could actually work, despite the usual expectations to the contrary; most of the formal evocation stuff that I've seen is related to the Qabbalah, which is of course Jewish, and the LBRP uses angels from Judaism/Christianity by default.

At the risk of sounding evangelical, if you're religiously undecided, I'd possibly tentatively recommend the Aesir, (Norse pantheon) at least for magical work. They're very friendly and willing to help with the sigil stuff I've done, and some RL friends of mine worship them perhaps a bit more closely than I myself do, and report very good experiences with them. My own religious leanings are admittedly a bit muddled...I hover somewhere between the Aesir, Jesus/Archangel Michael, (I'm pretty sure Michael possibly helped me for the first time the other night) and Kali in particular, in terms of deities. Thor and Michael both are awesome for protection, Frigg is one of the Aesir who was great for healing magic once, and Kali is...interesting. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) She has helped me developmentally quite a lot, I think...but she is also the closest I come to a "dark" or LHP deity. She can be very scary at times, but very loving as well.

Gaining power from an entity might be more acceptable than constantly demanding tasks though. How would an entity react to someone with an inherent fear of it?

It presumably depends on the moral alignment of the spirit in question. From what I've read of Bardon, he strongly advocates that an attitude of total self-mastery and authority is of paramount importance during evocation, particularly when dealing with negative beings, since they perhaps can tend to try and create a scenario where they are the ones running the proceedings, not you. There is a thread in the Evocations and Spirit Work subforum about appropriate offerings for entities...Darkmage in particular talks at some length in it about what she feels is an appropriate attitude during evocation...and I've found that Edunpanna, altpath, and Nero all seem to be invaluable people to listen to on the subject, as well...including bym too, of course. Mr. Curi is someone I hadn't previously been familiar with, but he has recently been offering his perspective as well...and he seems to advocate a very cautious and studious approach.

I like the idea of Chaos magick, although I've skimmed over sigilisation thus far. I suppose I'll look for some beginning sigils now, got any suggestions? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I'm still studying the LBRP and MP. As soon as an empty house opportunity (IMG:style_emoticons/default/king.gif) presents itself I'll be trying a pagan version of the LBRP. I've heard that the pagan MP is ineffectual for a lot of people though.

I'm sure I'll be delving into both right and left hand paths. My religious inclinations are towards the pagan, especially the Aesir actually-good suggestion! I'm Roman Catholic from birth and I do believe in the Christian God(though not solely in him)(and I definitely take exception to the Church and most other religious organizations)

I do not like Crowley, if anything he seems to have done nothing but bring a bad name to magick. Franz Bardon seems like a much more respect-worthy modern "founder" if theres anyone to name.

What are you doing to practice energy raising?

I think in my present location theres a lot of potential for druidic magick. What kind of end results does druidic magick seek?

I like the idea of Chaos magick, although I've skimmed over sigilisation thus far. I suppose I'll look for some beginning sigils now, got any suggestions?

Austin Osman Spare is more or less considered the initial developer of the sigil concept, AFAIK. I also like Phil Hine. Peter Carrol seems to be considered an important author as well, although I haven't read much of him, I'll admit. You will probably want to go to Chaos Matrix first and read some of the "What is Chaos?" files before delving into any of those three authors though. Hine for me is by far the most accessible of the three, but to some extent he still has a tendency to start in the middle and take for granted the expectation that whoever he is talking to will already know what Chaos is. Be warned...some of the "What is..." files there are scenesterish juvenilia, although there's good stuff there as well. You sound however as though you've already had some experience sorting out the good stuff from the crap. Of course, the "good stuff," pile and the "crap," pile are going to be different for everyone, including you...figuring out where we fit in that regard has been around 90% of the fun for me so far, I'll admit. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

You will probably also want to read some Terrence McKenna and Timothy Leary if you're going into ChM as well, particularly McKenna...if only so that you can understand the vocabulary of the 14 year old Chaos scenesters that you'll sometimes come across online.

More seriously though, McKenna did have some worthwhile things to say...it's just a shame that said things also sounded superficially cool enough that he got hijacked as a source of slogans and catchphrases after his death. Damn kids, these days. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/13.gif) Leary's material is also worthwhile...even if you're not planning to take acid. You might also want to have a look at some of the trip reports on erowid.org. I don't do drugs myself, but the reports there can get you into the loopy, more fluid mindset that I've read Chaotes generally find useful.

http://www.chaosmatrix.org/ - There's a lot of good stuff here.
http://discordian.com/ - This is more the purely philosophical side of things as far as ChM/Discordianism is concerned, but it's worth a read...for the intelligence of a lot of what is written here if nothing else. It's gleefully subversive, free-association thinking.
http://www.isohunt.com/torrents/?ihq=occult+studies - Get Azureus if you don't normally use bit torrent, and you might then want to get one of the collections of occult books you'll find here. Most of these collections will include most of the stuff related to Chaos as well, but you'll still want to have a look at Chaos Matrix.

After reading the above, from my own experience anywayz you'll either feel as though you've made developmental progress, or that if you weren't before, you're now officially hopelessly damned...probably some of both. The stench of brimstone still hasn't washed off, but I'm in the process of trying to get used to it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/13.gif)

I'm still studying the LBRP and MP. As soon as an empty house opportunity (IMG:style_emoticons/default/king.gif) presents itself I'll be trying a pagan version of the LBRP. I've heard that the pagan MP is ineffectual for a lot of people though.

My RL colleague in such matters doesn't seem to like Qabbalistic stuff in general much, which is probably going to give him problems where evocation is concerned...but I haven't bothered trying to change the Hebrew phrases or deity names, myself. I figure the rituals are old, they've been used a lot, so they probably have more of an investment of juice than anything I could come up with myself anywayz...plus going with the default is easier. Constructive indolence FTW. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

What are you doing to practice energy raising?

At the moment, the Qabbalistic Cross primarily...although I'm also finding that praise of a deity of choice, (with music, preferably - I've got musical renditions by Krishna Das of both Kali and Shiva mantras, which seem to work ok; although you'd need to find something appropriate to whichever deity you focus on) and paying a bit more attention to my diet also seems to help. The word around here is also apparently that you shouldn't sleep too much...but I need a minimum of seven hours or so a night, personally. I'm only really just getting started in terms of figuring this out though...and there seems to be a lot of good stuff by wiccans in particular on the subject...so Googling will probably turn up more for you as well.

I think in my present location theres a lot of potential for druidic magick. What kind of end results does druidic magick seek?

On the druidic score, no idea, personally...sorry. Not something I've gone into myself. There are probably some other people here who could help, though. I've read a bit about shamanism here and there...but I have no idea if that and druidism are considered the same, at all.

Well, this topic has been absolutely enthralling for the past 30 minutes of reading. I have to admit Mace, you have a lot to say. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) This is a good thing, it'll help you get your questions answered if you're thorough. I live in a small town myself and can relate to a lot of what you've said.

And lest you think I'm arrogant, know that I'm homely(lots of acne)(got a spell for that?), introverted, and have too many other flaws to list.

Well, I don't know about a spell, but I got one hell of a paste that might help you. I used to have outrageously bad face acne. Not anymore (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I got a suggestion from my girlfriend's mom about a tomato paste that worked out amazingly. Take the meat of a tomato and mash it up into a nice paste. Drip a good amount of lemon juice and add a dash of salt into the paste and mix well. (Amounts will have to be experimented with to get the right balance for your body). Apply the well mixed paste to any affected area and let sit for about ten minutes. (If you have any acne that is unpopped, be sure to pop before applying, it helps clean and disinfect the area.) After ten minutes wash it off with a soft cloth and lukewarm water. Throw the cloth in the washer and repeat every night for about a week. You will notice your acne decreasing after about that first week. Make sure that after that first week you experiment with more or less lemon juice to help get the maximum result. A pinch of salt seems to be what works best for everyone I've met, so I'd recommend just that.

On the druidic score, no idea, personally...sorry. Not something I've gone into myself. There are probably some other people here who could help, though. I've read a bit about shamanism here and there...but I have no idea if that and druidism are considered the same, at all.

On the subject of druidism, I've read quite a bit into the subject. Shamanism and Druidism are two completely different subjects. Druidism was practiced primarily by the Celts, so naturally reading material is extremely hard to come by. I personally have only read excerpts from google searches myself, but from that and a forum search I've learned enough to know that looking into Druidism will take a lot of dedication and plenty of patience. Just like with all modern practices you're going to have to filter out the new age jibber jabber and do a lot of research to find the real tid bits of information. Not much I can suggest there other than use common sense when reading information.

What are you doing to practice energy raising?

On the subject of energy works, I've established a daily psionic ritual that I perform every morning, lunch, and evening (if appropriate). It involves working with energy flow and observing the way energy reacts to influences of life upon inanimate objects and other forms of nonliving structures. Really what I've discovered on this subject was through a deep self-analysis and an open way of thinking. Sometimes it's best to explore things spiritually rather than follow a set code. Challenging the norm is what creates new innovations in all fields.

I think in my present location theres a lot of potential for druidic magick. What kind of end results does druidic magick seek?

Druidic magick deals directly with the harmony of Man and Nature, using the world around us to foster this bond into something akin to love in the most basic form. Obviously there is so much more to it, but your best bet is to do a forum search on "druid" or checking the shamanism forum (?not sure here, it's been awhile since I read it?) for information about druids.

I do not like Crowley, if anything he seems to have done nothing but bring a bad name to magick. Franz Bardon seems like a much more respect-worthy modern "founder" if theres anyone to name.

Franz is one of my favorite authors. His writings have helped me understand some underlying concepts of magick that I otherwise was unable to grasp. All of his books have been immensely interesting for me and have been some of the few sets of writing that I've been able to actively pursue. I recommend all his writings to anyone willing to be open minded enough to read them.

In the end, it's rare to find people of your own age with any true concept of what you're going through. Yes, older and wiser people out there went through it, I don't deny this. However, something about talking to someone going through the same experiences as you just helps with getting the whole picture in nearly anything.

To conclude, feel free to PM me or ask any questions you have. I may be younger but I've been researching non stop for over a year and a half now and been doing some lighter reading for a year before that. I like to think I understand most basic concepts, even if I don't grasp all of the technical ones. You can look to me for help with energy flow and astral work, as those two subjects I've studied immensely and have been practically applying them effectively and on a daily basis for nearly a year now. I wish you luck on your quest for knowledge (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

SP

EDITS
--------

After taking some time to search the forums, I found this topic on druidism for you. It has some potential reading information that may or may not answer some of your questions on the subject.

http://www.sacred-magick.org/index.php?showtopic=4905

I'll look into finding some more information on it for you (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

CONTINUED:

Here's a compilation of sites that I found on the subject for ya. (May or may not be redundant.)

http://www.religioustolerance.org/druid.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druid (Light reading material on the history of the subject.)
http://www.fatheroak.com/ (Looks to be an interesting read, I'll get you some more information on it after I read through it. Feel free to read ahead!)
http://www.wildideas.net/cathbad/druid.html (More light history.)

Not much to really be found right off. I'll look into what I've given you a little more thoroughly and see what I can get you from that. Hopefully this makes the subject a little easier to read on.

This post has been edited by SPoison: Dec 26 2007, 12:15 PM

I love your avatar, SPoison. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/respect.gif)

This post has been edited by Petrus: Dec 26 2007, 12:46 PM

Lol, ya. It was my favorite out of all the stock avatars that SMF had. And mind you, they have a LOT!

Well mace welcome aboard. I can see you like to be very thorough in what you say. I saw you mention OCPD, while I agree with what bym says, I can also see how it might apply. Perhaps consider looking meditation and relaxation techniques? The world of magick is enormous and if you're a novice you should check out the neophyte halls . Take your time and welcome!

Just out of curiosity are you sure you have OCPD or OCD?

Hope everyone had a merry Christmas!

Austin Osman Spare...

I just finished charging my first set of sigils yesterday! Spare's method is a god send for someone wanting to dive right into sigil-making with its simplicity. I would like to spend some more time in the future on designing the sigils, I think the added energy and complexity of design will aid in charging their intent.

After reading the above, from my own experience anywayz you'll either feel as though you've made developmental progress, or that if you weren't before, you're now officially hopelessly damned...probably some of both. The stench of brimstone still hasn't washed off, but I'm in the process of trying to get used to it. 13.gif

Haha. Well I can't speak to the brimstone but theres a noted difference in awareness and oddly after practice...... static electricity? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lightning.gif) When I've charged a sigil or performed the Middle Pillar, I've then shocked the next person that I touched.

I just read that the LBRP should always be performed before and after the MP. Is this true?

Well, I don't know about a spell, but I got one hell of a paste that might help you.

I've been through just about every noteworthy method out there, antibiotics are the king. I had it under control in Belgium(and a free medicine supply from my pharmacist exchange counselor) but then I came back to an American diet, an outdated prescription, and the testosterone that I ran up while gaining 20 pounds of muscle back for football. I need to go back to the doctor and reupp.

To conclude, feel free to PM me or ask any questions you have. I may be younger but I've been researching non stop for over a year and a half now and been doing some lighter reading for a year before that. I like to think I understand most basic concepts, even if I don't grasp all of the technical ones. You can look to me for help with energy flow and astral work, as those two subjects I've studied immensely and have been practically applying them effectively and on a daily basis for nearly a year now. I wish you luck on your quest for knowledge smile.gif

Age is respected for the experience and knowledge that it is assumed(keyword) to confer. Note that the most elderly are not always, by any means, the most knowledgeable. Though any elder who has passionately pursued knowledge for all their life is to be well respected for they are treasures to any scholar or seeker of truth. I would be grateful for any light you could shine on astral workings. There are so many new age "experts" on the subject, all with differing opinions, that its hard to find a real occult practitioner.

Well mace welcome aboard. I can see you like to be very thorough in what you say. I saw you mention OCPD, while I agree with what bym says, I can also see how it might apply. Perhaps consider looking meditation and relaxation techniques? The world of magick is enormous and if you're a novice you should check out the neophyte halls . Take your time and welcome!

Just out of curiosity are you sure you have OCPD or OCD

I'm not sure that I'm fully experiencing reality so I would have to say no. Certain I am not. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nonono.gif)

Acid09, your Beginner's Guide in the neophyte halls is the single most helpful compilation post on this forum. Sir, I commend you! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/worthy.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ac42.gif)

How possible is it to evoke an ancestor? Especially one from several centuries past?

My direct paternal line is fairly illustrious, so I thought I might have a good chance of making contact with a helpful spirit guide or something of that nature. Several of my most famous relatives(Welsh royal line.Of course, it's the size of New Jersey) certainly had Druidic advisors, although i don't know if they practiced themselves(will study tonight), and my (x30 something) great uncle is one of historian's candidates for King Arthur. Take it back far enough through -mythical- ancestry and we end up with Greek heros and the god Zeus. Along with Belenus (my family name's meaning is "oath of Belenus"), and Thor, he is now officially part of my cobbled-together pantheon.

I'm just not sure of any direct family connections with magick. Of course if the conversations are more corporeal than air gusts, I wouldn't mind talking to someone who experienced the Civil or Revolutionary War, or even to talk to my grandfather whom I never met.

Why are our post counts frozen? I'm stuck at one. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wallbash.gif)

This post has been edited by Mace Llywelyn: Dec 29 2007, 02:58 AM

Posts in certain forums just don't raise your post count. You have to post some in the other forums dedicated to specific things (Neophyte Hall, Ceremonial Magick, Dream Works, Etc.). This is due to the fact that not all (or most) posts in the Coffee shop contribute very little to raising knowledge of members or contribute little to the over accumulation of knowledge on the forums.