Ceremonial Magick & QBL

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Comment by Frances on October 2, 2009 at 4:38pm

WORDS OF POWER: All words are “words of power” because it is through our language that we communicate our ideas and our desires, but some words do have more power over us than others. For example the word “mother” contains emotions and connotations that can take weeks/months to express in any other way, with each person having a different connotation. Words are packets of information, ideas encapsulated. A magick work can be likened to a formular, a mathematical equation, or scientific formular. Each word (of power) contains an entire magickal concept within it, and when spoken, the power is therefore released.

Comment by Frances on August 28, 2009 at 10:59am

I like DuQuette's "The Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed Ben Clifford" as his sense of humour certainly comes to light in describing some of the Hebrew letter shapes - "like a snake that has swallowed a brick and is now having second thoughts'" ... with a description like that, I have the image of Lamed firmly etched into my memory

Comment by medievil_witch on August 27, 2009 at 2:07pm

above the text box u will see B IUetc u will see a black rectangle n circle in middle this is for photos and u will find it when u edit also i hope this is what you needed to know and it helps BB)O(

Comment by Frances on August 27, 2009 at 2:02pm

Sorry folks about the neglect ... life has recently gotten a bit hectic but I should be back on track shortly :)

I had been trying to find out how to post pictures/images etc here which may be of benefit for those who are not all that familiar with the QBL/Tree of Life etc .. but have not had much luck thus far.

Does anyone know how to do this?

BB - Frances

Comment by Frances on June 5, 2009 at 10:45am

Some recommended reading ...

These days there are numerous books on all aspects of the occult as well as ceremonial magick and the QBL. The following are some books that I personally recommend. I will try and group them into "levels" to be of more assistance. I have tried to include "classic texts" (which can be confusing for the solitary/newbee) as well as modern interpretations. Please feel add to or comment.

BB - Frances


1. Modern Magick: Eleven Lessons in the High Magickal Arts by Donald Michael Kraig. The reason I like this book is that it is basically a step-by-step instruction manual on how to do real magick written and explained very clearly as well as thoroughly.

2. Initiation into Hermetics by Franz Bardon. For many this is a hard book to read as it is very dry (the author is German or Austrian) and a tad dated, however persistence will reveal many gems throughout the book with respect of elemental work and getting to know thy self (techniques invaluable regardless of what spiritual path you walk).

3. The Golden Dawn: The Original Account of the Teachings, Rites & Ceremonies of the Hermetic Order by Israel Regardie. Technically the "classic" text of the Golden Dawn. I personally found Regardie's introduction long-winded and whilst the rituals are group orientated, I recommend this book as something any budding CM to read.

4. Self-Initiation Into the Golden Dawn Tradition: A Complete Cirriculum of Study for Both the Solitary Magician and the Working Magical Group by Chic Cicero and Sandra Tabatha Cicero. Takes the GD lectures and arranges them into a study programme - also includes lectures on astrology, the tarot etc thus making it a "complete" course. I do find the "initiation" rituals more group orientated than for the solitary but overall a great book.

5. The Essential Golden Dawn: An Introduction to High Magic by Chic Cicero and Sandra Tabatha Cicero. Very informative book.

6. Techniques of High Magic: A Handbook of Divination, Alchemy, and the Evocation of Spirits by Francis King and Stephen Skinner. An all-time classic.

7. High Magic: Theory & Practice by Frater U.:D.: A modern interpretation of the Golden Dawn teachings - to me similar to Kraig's book.

Other books I do recommend include (some are now available in free e-books):
The Tree of Life: An Illustrated Study in Magic by Israel Regardie
A Garden of Pomegranates: Skrying on the Tree of Life by Israel Regardie
The Middle Pillar: The Balance Between Mind and Magic by Israel Regardie
The Training and Work of an Initiate by Dion Fortune
Magick in Theory and Practice by Aleister Crowley
777 and other Qabalastic Writings of Aleister Crowley


When it comes to QBL books, then ..
Qabalah: A Magical Primer by John Bonner is one of my favourites
The Mystical Qabalah by Dion Fortune is a classic
The Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed Ben Clifford: Dilettante's Guide to What You Do and Do Not Need to Know to Become a Qabalist by Lon Milo Duquette - a lighthearted approach that is rather effective
Kabbalah, Magic & the Great Work of Self Transformation: A Complete Course by Lyam Thomas Christopher

There are the four (i think) classic texts that make up the religious aspect to the Kabbalah but personally, I confess, I haven't actually read them. Maybe one day.

There are many others but I hope this is something for people to at least start with. Feel free to add to this list or make additional comments.

BB - Frances

Comment by Frances on June 5, 2009 at 10:44am

Golden Dawn Timeline
by Chic & S. Tabatha Cicero

1887: Westcott decodes the Cipher Manuscript. He asks Mathers and Woodman to join him in setting up the new Order.

1 March 1888: Isis-Urania Temple #3 is chartered. Westcott, Woodman, and Mathers are the Three Chiefs. Mina Bergson (Moina Mathers) is the 1st initiate. (The numbering system marks the mythical Anna Sprengel's temple in Germany, Licht, Liebe und Leben as #1. Hermanoubis Temple #2 in London, was supposedly chartered but never active.)

1888: Osiris Temple # 4 at Weston-Super-Mare is chartered. All members are Masons. Horus Temple # 5 at Bradford is chartered.

Autumn, 1891: The R.R. et A.C. is established.

December 1891: Dr. Woodman dies. No one is appointed to take his place.

7 December 1891: Annie Horniman is the first initiate into the R.R. et A.C.

21 May 1892: The Matherses move to Paris.

1893: Amen-Ra Temple #6 is chartered in Edinburgh. Members included J.W. Brodie-Innes and Dr Felkin. Westcott's resigns as Praemonstrator. Florence Farr takes on the position. Annie Horniman is made Sub-Praemonstrator.

January 1894: Mather's Ahathoor Temple #7 is consecrated in Paris. Famous French occultist Papus (Dr. Gerard Encausse) is a member.

1896: Florence Farr begins the "Sphere Group," a separate group of skryers within the Golden Dawn.

Spring 1896: Annie Horniman and MacGregor Mathers have a falling out.

29 October 1896: Mathers issues manifesto demanding written submission of Second Order members to his authority.

3 December 1896: Annie Horniman is expelled from the Golden Dawn for insubordination.

Spring 1897: Westcott's association with the Order is made public. He resigns from office in the Golden Dawn and the R.R. et A.C. Florence Farr takes over his position as head of the Order in England.

1897: Thmé Temple No.8 is established in Chicago. Ill. Thoth-Hermes Temple No.9 is established in New York.

16 January 1900: Mathers initiates Aleister Crowley into the 5=6 Grade in Paris after London Adepts refuse to initiate him. The London Adepts refuse to recognize Crowley's initiation.

January 1900: Florence Farr writes to Mathers. He accuses her of attempting to bring back Westcott as head of the Order. She resigns.

February 1900: Mathers introduces Madame Horos as Anna Sprengel at Ahathoor.

16 February 1900: Mathers refuses Ms Farr's resignation. He accuses Westcott of forging the Anna Sprengel letters.

March 1900: Second Order committee members in London investigate charges of fraud and expel MacGregor and Moina Mathers. Annie Horniman is reinstated.

April 1900: Schism. Mathers annuls Second Order committee and sends Aleister Crowley to take control of R.R. et A.C.'s property in London. The take-over fails.

1900: Isis Temple #11 is created by Dr. Berridge in London. It remains loyal to Mathers. (This temple is also called Alpha et Omega 1).

1901: Internal battles over Florence Farr's "Sphere Group." Horos Trials and unwanted publicity.

January 1902: Florence Farr resigns from the Golden Dawn, which changes its name to the Hermetic Society of the Morgenrothe.

1902: Horus Temple at Bradford gradually pulls away from G.D. teachings. Eventually turns from G.D. to SRIA ideals, and accepts only Master Masons.

Spring 1903: Schism. Brodie-Innes, Felkin, and the magically-inclined members form the Stella Matutina. Their Mother temple is called Amoun. Waite, Blackden, Rev. Ayton, and the more mystically-inclined members take over the remnants of Isis-Urania #3. Waite forms the Independent and Rectified Rite of the Golden Dawn (and the later Fellowship of the Rosy Cross in 1916). Temples loyal to Mathers take on the name Alpha et Omega.

1912: Alpha et Omega 2 (temple) is formed in Edinburgh as a daughter temple to Amen-Ra. Brodie-Innes is its chief, (after having made peace with Mathers and broken off with Felkin). Felkin establishes Smaragdum Thalasses Temple of the Stella Matutina in Havelock North, New Zealand. The Order in New Zealand became known by the Maori name of Whare Ra or "The House of the Sun."

1913: Amen-Ra also sires a spin-off hybrid called Cromlech Temple or the Solar Order-a collaboration between Alpha et Omega 2 and Anglican clergymen. Brodie-Innes, establishes an A.O. temple in London as a southern branch of his revived Amen-Ra Temple in Edinburgh. (It functions separately from Moina Mathers's Alpha et Omega 3.)

1916: Felkin establishes the following temples of the Stella Matutina: Hermes Lodge in Bristol, The Secret College in London (open only to SRIA members), and Merlin Lodge in London. Felkin establishes another Order, the Guild of St. Raphael - a guild of the Anglican Church.

1918: Paul Foster Case is initiated into the 0=0 grade at Thoth-Hermes Temple No. 9 in New York (November).

1919: Moina Mathers returns to London after MacGregor's death and establishes the Alpha et Omega 3. Dion Fortune joins Broddie-Innes' A.O. temple in London. The A.O. establishes Ptah Temple No. 10 in Philadelphia.

1920: The Amoun Temple of the Stella Matutina in London is closed down due to the paranoid behaviour of its chief (Mrs. Stoddart). The A.O. establishes Atoum Temple No. 20 in Los Angeles.

1922: In January Moina expels Paul Foster Case from the Golden Dawn. Case goes on to create his own Order, the Builders of the Adytum or BOTA. Dion Fortune leaves the Alpha et Omega Lodge to form the Fraternity of the Inner Light. [Spinoff groups from the Fraternity of the Inner Light included The Guild of the Master Jesus (London - 1925) Helios (Gareth Knight -Toddington -1956), the Enochian Temple (London 1969) and the Servants of the Light (W.E. Butler).]

1923: The Stella Matutina is close to collapse. Yeats resigns.

1926: Israel Regardie was initiated into the SRIAm (Societas Rosicruciana in America)

1933: Israel Regardie into the Hermes Temple of the Stella Matutina in Bristol.

1937: Israel Regardie begins to publish the Order's teachings as The Golden Dawn.

1939: Most temples of the A.O. and the Stella Matutina become dormant (with the exception of the Hermes Temple in Bristol which worked sporadically until 1970 and the Whare Ra temple in New Zealand which lasted into the late 1970's).

1982: Israel Regardie consecrates the Vault of the Adepti in Columbus, Georgia, and performs initiations into the 5=6 grade, re-establishing the Golden Dawn in America. A couple in New Zealand (Pat and Chris Zalewski) found a Golden Dawn temple there.

2000: More people than ever before have access to Golden Dawn teachings. Numerous individuals now actively refer to themselves as practicing Golden Dawn magicians.

Comment by Frances on June 5, 2009 at 10:35am

From Medieval Witch ..

meant in general as i had read in the past when christians came to places to convert people they were accepting of the pagan ways and had it that they could practice witchcraft along side xtianity (i think to convert them in the end fully) as most white races were pagan or witch's before xtianity, i thought because there are some xtian similarities they may have dated from then, i also believe all our gods/goddess may be the same in all religions as there is similarities

Comment by Frances on June 5, 2009 at 10:24am

MW - are you talking about the practice of the QBL, ceremonial magick or both? According to how I was taught, these, along with the Craft and Wicca, are all relatively different practices with their own different histories (originally) until basically the occult revival in the 18th century. The history of the QBL pre-dates Christianity - and in fact is actually Hebrew. I personally haven't gone into the history of it but my own understanding is that the Qabalah is a very old tradition with the four branches to it that I have posted in one of the discussions.

Yes, the power names are in fact ancient Hebrew names of "God" and many of which can be found within Christianity (afterall I think the Old Testament was in fact taken from ancient Judaic text/lore) however to a magickian, I guess it all depends on how and probably more importantly what you define "God" as.

To me "God" is a term relating to the Universal life spirit/force that surrounds us. When it comes to the concept of Deity, my perception is rather similar to the Taoist principal in that first there was this one essence beyond our comprehension, "the One". From "the One" came duality (I prefer polarity) - the masculine and the feminine - the God and the Goddess. From them came the many .. all the pantheons of Gods and Goddesses.

With that in mind, when I vibrate the various names of "God" when I perform a ceremonial magick ritual or am working within the QBL, for me at least, I don't actually perceive myself invoking/vibrating "God" as such in the Christian sense (after all considering I never really was actually brought up a Christian, I can't honestly clarify whether I am or not) - what I believe I am doing is tapping into ancient holy names that have a multiple of purposes and interpretations that extend back through the eons. And in doing such, in essence, tapping into the essence (or what I would term as an "egorgore" - an aspect/symbology) associated with that name.

To me the QBL and ceremonial magickal techniques are different "tools" to "play" with. I don't follow them religiously - my religion is that of the Craft - I believe in the polarity of masculine/feminine and have a very close relationship with my personaly Goddess. My God however is more distant as he's more "wild" in nature.

I hope this helps. I do realise it is confusing and the internet is probably not the best medium to explain things through.

BB - Frances

Comment by Frances on June 5, 2009 at 10:23am

That's fine, MW. My knowledge of the QBL is largely limited to the central glyph, the Tree of Life, which I used/view as a huge filing cabinet - with each "dot" relating to a huge range of things. Eg, on the Queen scale colour, the sphere of Hod is orange, which relates to the mental realm, the mind, reason and the intellect. From there, you can add other magickal correspondences that relate to orange - Mercurial Gods such as Mercury, Hermes, Thoth, Odin, and Loki. Add to this the Archangel Raphael which is the archangel of healing and of the East/Air. The number for Hod is 8 (as it is the 8th sphere on the Tree of Life" etc etc.

So an example of how to use Hod in a ritual relating to the mind (ie say studying for exams) is to dress your altar with an orange cloth, burn 8 orange candles, face East, wear something orange, maybe burn some storax (which relates to Hod) and invoke Mercury, Hermes, Thoth etc etc.

Whilst you may not be technically/officially performing a ceremonial magick ritual, you are in effect working within the correspondences of the Tree of Life glyph.

As to the religious aspect of the QBL, my interest there purely lies to the extent of understanding a bit more about the history of it ... as to the 12 tribes or whatever, personally I am not interested. I am also finding that knowing a bit more about the history does help to put the terminology and wording/phrases into perspection. But hey, that's just me.

I will try and collate some more thoughts in a more workable manner of the coming days for folks who are interested. On the whole, take what you find useful .. :)

BB - Frances

Comment by Frances on June 5, 2009 at 10:23am

The First Knowledge
(By Rosaleen Norton)

The Craft is only part of the way and must not be mistaken for the whole way. But in itself it is important, for it can be used to lighten burdens and help in the "Great Work".

It is not for the weak, therefore know this: Some have the power but most have it not. If you have it, it springs from within you, from the will, the mind and the spirit; and it can be joined to external symbols. It must grow through practice, as you gain knowledge and skill.

The implements, words, symbols and spells are your working tools. You must be guided by the gods who dwell in your mind and body. Always remember that you must be stronger than the powers you evoke. Therefore to the work, which is joy and strength and light and life everlasting.

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