Left Hand Path Hermeneutics by T Burden

8/13/2019 Left Hand Path Hermeneutics by T Burden

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HERMENEUTICS OF THE LEFT-HAND PATH:

VIEWING MODERN OCCULTISM AS A

CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUALITY

BY

Tristram Bur !"


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INTRODUCING THE OCCULT

I" #urr!"t $%$u&ar t!rmi"%&%'() t*! t!rm O##u&t mai"tai"s si"ist!r %+!rt%"!s) at %"#!

si'"i,(i"' s%m!t*i"' ar a" u" "%.") a" s%m!t*i"' a"'!r%us t*at t*r!at!"s t*!

i"t!'rit( %, t*! mi" / T*! t!rms r!&ati%"s i" t*! $%$u&ar mi" .it* Sata"ism) D!""is

W*!at&!( a" a *!a+(-m!ta& %!u+r!) s!r+! t% *!i'*t!" t*! r!$utati%" ,%r t*! %##u&t

as *a+i"' s%m!t*i"' t% % .it* 0r!a i"' i"*!r!"t s%#ia& "%rms a" +a&u!s/ But t*!

t!rm) $arti#u&ar&( i" a#a !mi# usa'!) is +a'u! a" "!0u&%us - &i ! t*! t!rms 1r!&i'i%"1)

1s$iritua&it(1 a" 1m(sti#a&1) t*!( m!a" i,,!r!"t t*i"'s t% i,,!r!"t $!%$&!/ W*at .! #a"

sa( a0%ut t*! .%r 1%##u&t1) is "%t "!#!ssari&( t*! sam! as .*at .! #a" sa( a0%ut

t*! .%r& -+i!.s a" $ra#ti#!s .*i#* #a" 0! &%%s!&( !,i"! as 1%##u&t1/ T*! .%r

its!&, m!a"s 1*i !"1) a" s#*%&ar&( is#ussi%" %, t*! %##u&t ta !s t*! r!s!ar#*!r i"t%

t*! t!rrit%r( %, t*! W!st!r" Es%t!ri# Tra iti%") s%m!tim!s #a&&! t*! W!st!r" M(st!r(

Tra iti%" %r sim$&( t*! W!st!r" M(st!ri!s) a 0% ( %, "%.&! '! a" $ra#ti#!s

r!$ut! t% 0! a" *ist%ri#a& u" !r#urr!"t t% !2%t!ri# ,%rms %, r!&i'i%sit( &i ! Is&am)

C*ristia"it( a" 3u aism/ P!ars%" 'i+!s a !,i"iti%" %, t*is as 4a +ast ,i!&

!"#%m$assi"' a 0% ( %, mat!ria& 'at*!r! t%'!t*!r i" t*! W!st si"#! t*! !" %, t*!

56t* C!"tur() i"#&u i"' t*! a00a&a*) *!rm!ti#ism) '"%sti#ism a" t*! %##u&t

s#i!"#!s %, astr%&%'() a*!m( a" ma'i#/ It $!rtai"s t% t*! #%""!#ti%"s 0!t.!!"

ma" a" t*! u"i+!rs! 7mi#r%#%sm a" ma#r%#%sm8/9 5 Es%t!ri# as a .%r im$&i!s

s%m!t*i"' r! uiri"' a s$!#ia& "%.&! '! ,%r #%m$&!t! u" !rsta" i"'/ It s*%u& 0!

"%t! *!r! t*at t*! t!rm W!st!r" Es%t!ri# Tra iti%") a" its sist!r t!rms t*! W!st!r"

M(st!ri!s a" t*! W!st!r" M(st!r( Tra iti%"s) ar! a&& t!rms .*i#* .!r! us! 0(

i"si !rs t% !s#ri0! t*!ir $arti#u&ar 0!&i!,s a" $ra#ti#!s/ T*is $arti#u&ar issu!) %,

1 Pearson, The History and Development of Wicca and Paganism, pg. 50.


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I"si !r is#%urs! i",i&trati"' a#a !mi# is#%urs! .i&& 0! !a&t .it* at &!"'t* .it*i" t*is

!ssa() as it ma( 0! %"! %, t*! $arti#u&ar $r%0&!ms .it*i" #urr!"t s#*%&ar&( is#%urs!

u$%" %##u&tism/ T*%u'* a" i"si !r *ims!&,) t*! $r!s!"t aut*%r .i&& % *is 0!st t%

ta# &! t*!s! issu!s) t*r%u'* ;ust a$$&i#ati%" %, t*! H!rm!"!uti#s %, Sus$i#i%" t% *is

%." s!t %, $ra#ti#!s a" 0!&i!,/ T*!s! .i&& 0! $r!s!"t! i" $r%#!! i"' s!#ti%"s/

W*i&! $!r*a$s im$&i#it&( as i"' t*! u!sti%" 4Ca" O##u&tism 0! stu i! as a r!&i'i%"

%r s$iritua&it(?@-56 68 i" *is

De occulta philosophia ) t*! ,irst +!rsi%" %, .*i#* .as .ritt!" i" 56 -565 / 3%#!&("

G% .i" i" *is 0%% The Theosophical Enlightenment 'i+!s t*! ,%&&%.i"' "%t!s %" *is

%." usa'! %, t*!s! t!rms) .*i#* .i&& *!&$ i" %ur %." !" uir(: 4T*! occult sciences i"

t*! W!st i"#&u ! astr%&%'() a*!m() ritua& ma'i#) $ra#ti#a& a00a&a*) #!rtai"

0r!at*i"' a" s!2ua& $ra#ti#!s) a" +ari%us ,%rms %, i+i"ati%"/9 Ita&i#s i" %ri'i"a& > I"

t*! ,%&&%.i"' !" uir() G% .i" s %." +a'u! r!,!r!"#!s t% 4#!rtai" 0r!at*i"' a"

s!2ua& $ra#ti#!s9 .i&& 0! !a&t .it* at &!"'t*) as .i&& t*! stu ( a" $ra#ti#! %, Ritua&

Ma'i#7 8/ R!'ar i"' t*! s$!#i,i# .%r %##u&tism G% .i" ma !s t*! ,%&&%.i"'

*ist%ri# %0s!r+ati%"s: 4 Occultism as a #%"#!$t at!s %"&( ,r%m t*! mi -"i"!t!!"t*

This term, tho!gh !n"ieldy, is preferred in the conte#t of the c!rrent st!dy over the term $religion%,d!e to its $looser% &o!ndaries concordant "ith the ne&!lo!s form of some contemporary spirit!alities,and allo"s !s to vie" things "hich may seem $religio!s$ &!t aren$t necessarily defina&le as a

$religion%.' (ates, The Occult Philosophy in the Elizabethan Age , pg. )5.) *od"in, The Theosophical Enlightenment , pg. #ii.


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#!"tur() as t*! t!rm ,%r t*! $ursuit %, %##u&t s#i!"#! i" !&i0!rat! %$$%siti%" t% t*!

$r!+ai&i"' 0!&i!,s %, s#i!"ti,i# mat!ria&ism/ T*us) a&t*%u'* Sir Isaa# N!.t%" .as a"

a*!mist) a" 3%*a""!s !$&!r .as a" astr%&%'!r) t*!( .!r! "%t %##u&tists/ 4 Ita&i#s

i" %ri'i"a& 6 As G% .i" *as !m%"strat! t*r%u'* *is !2am$&!s) .! must 0!

#auti%us a0%ut .*% .! t!rm a" %##u&tist) a" 0( !2t!"si%" *%. .! !,i"! a"

!t!rmi"! a" %##u&tist i" t*! ,irst $&a#!/ F%r i"sta"#!) is a" astr%&%'!r a" %##u&tist< Is

a" %##u&tist "!#!ssari&( a" astr%&%'!r< T*! !"tir!t( %, t*! ,%r!'%i"' is 0%u" u$ .it*

t*!s! issu!s/

T*! .%r O##u&t ) t*!") r!,!rs t% a "um0!r %, t*i"'s: ,irst&( t*! u"i+!rs! *i !" ,r%m

+i!.) t*! u"s!!" ,%r#!s at .%r ,%r i"sta"#! .it*i" t*! $ra#ti#! %, A*!m( %r

Astr%&%'() .*i#* ar! "%t a$$ar!"t u"&!ss #%"s#i%us&( s%u'*t a,t!r/ S!#%" &() t*!

.%r %##u&t #%u& r!,!r t% $ra#ti#!s $ur$%s!,u&&( *i !" ,r%m +i!.) !it*!r ,%r ,!ar %,

$!rs!#uti%" ,r%m ri+a& r!&i'i%us 0% i!s) %r 0!#aus! t*! $ra#ti#!s t*!ms!&+!s .!r!

s!!" as s%m!*%. a"'!r%us/ T*%u'* it *as 0!!" !m%"strat! t*at t*! $%$u&ar

N!%-Pa'a" is#%urs! %, t*! 40ur"i"' tim!s9 is i"#%"#%r a"t .it* r!#%r ! *ist%r()

a" t*at 0&as$*!m() *!r!s( a" s#!$ti#ism .!r! #%mm%"$&a#! a" u"$u"is*! i"

t*! 5@t* a" 5 t* #!"turi!s @ - raisi"' !m%"s .as $r%0a0&( "%t s!!" as

s(m$at*!ti# .it* t*! C*ristia" Fait*/ T*! Wit#*!s Hamm!r ) t*! Maleus Malificarum

%, 3am!s I) t*%u'* u"&i !&( t% 0! a ir!#t r!,&!#ti%" %, t*! attitu ! %, t*! .*%&!

$a$a#() #!rtai"&( s!r+!s as a" i&&ustrati%" %, t*! a"'!rs) at %"! s$!#i,i# $%i"t i"

*ist%r() %, 1$u0&i#1 %##u&tism a" t*! 0!&i!, a" $ra#ti#! %, ma'i# 7a is#ussi%" a"

!,i"iti%" %, .*i#* is a$$r%a#*i"'8/ I" !! ) t*! $ra#ti#! %, .it#*#ra,t a" ma'i# .as

sti&& i&&!'a& u$ u"ti& 5 65/ 3%a""! P!ars%" 'i+!s t*! ,%&&%.i"' u$%" t*is !+!"t i" *!r

!ssa( The History and Development of Wicca and Paganism : 4T*is r!$&a#!

.it#*#ra,t a#ts i" E"'&a" a" S#%t&a" .*!" t*!( .!r! r!$!a&! i" 5 @/ It 0%t*

5 Ibid.+ Thomas, Religion and the Decline of Magic , pg. 1 0-1 1


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a&&%.! a $!rs%" t% 0! $r%s!#ut! i, *! %r s*! .as a&&!'! t% *a+! ma'i#a& $%.!rs

and !"i! t*! $%ssi0i&it( %, su#* $%.!rs !2ist!"#!/ It .as r!$&a#! i"5 65 0( t*!

Frau u&!"t M! iums A#t) .*i#* 'a+! ,r!! %m ,%r i" i+i ua&s t% $ra#ti#! .it#*#ra,t s%

&%"' as "% *arm .as %"! t% $!rs%" a" $r%$!rt(/9 T*! $r!#! i"' r!,!r!"#!s t%

&!'a&) $a$a& a" $!r*a$s #u&tura& attitu !s *a+! 0!!" s$!#i,i# t% W!st!r" #u&tur! ,r%m

t*! R!"aissa"#! t% t*! m% !r" !ra) 0ut t*! tria& %, t*! T!m$&ars i" 5 5> a&s% r!+!a&s

a isti"#t a"ti$at*( t%.ar s a"( $ra#ti#!s t*at $ur$%rt! ) %r !+!" +a'u!&( su''!st! )

&i" s a" !a&i"'s .it* ia0%&i#a& ,%r#!s a" $!rs%"a&iti!s/ W*at t*! T!m$&ars .!r!

r!a&&( %i"' is "%t t*! $%i"t *!r!) ;ust t*at s%m! %, t*! 'r!at!st #*ar'!s t*at #%u& 0!

ra&&i! a'ai"st a $!rs%" %,t!" i"+%&+! #*ar'!s %, $ra#ti#!s a"tit*!ti#a& t% C*ristia"it(/

I" t*! m% !r" !ra) 'r!at a"ti$at*( #a" sti&& 0! ,%u" .it*i" !+a"'!&i#a& C*ristia"it(

t%.ar s t*! #%"#!$t %, .it#*#ra,t a" t*! %##u&t/ But) as .i&& 0! is#uss! ) O##u&tism

is "% &%"'!r as *i !" ,r%m +i!. as it %"#! ma( *a+! 0!!"/

As a" %0;!#t %, r!&i'i%sit() O##u&tism is $!r*a$s 0!st !,i"! as a $!rs%"a&

t!&!%&%'i#a& matri2 %, t*!%r( a" $ra#ti#!/ It is "%t a 1r!&i'i%"1 i" t*! s!"s! %, a"

%r'a"is! 0% ( %, tra iti%") 0ut it is a r!&i'i%" i" t*! s!"s! %, a .%r& -+i!. .it*

#%rr!s$%" i"' #% !s) si'"s a" s(m0%&s t*at ar! r!#%'"isa0&! as 0!i"' a s$!#i,i#

$r% u#t %, t*at .%r& -+i!./ I" a simi&ar s!"s!) i, S$iritua&it( is !,i"! as a"

i" i+i ua&1s s!"s! %, a r!&ati%"s*i$ .it* t*! sa#r! %r i+i"!) O##u&tism is a&s% a

s$iritua&it(/ T*!s! #*ara#t!risti#s it s*ar!s .it* is#ussi%" %, N!. A'! s$iritua&iti!s/

I" !! ) t*!r! is a .!a&t* %, #r%ss-$%&&i"ati%" 0!t.!!" t*! %"! a" t*! %t*!r) i" t*!

sam! s!"s! t*at t*!r! is .it* Pa'a"ism) 0ut $arti#u&ar&( N!%-Pa'a"ism - a 0% ( %,

t*!%r( a" $ra#ti#! .*i#* att!m$ts t% r!+i+! a" r!$%$u&at! m% !r" #u&tur! .it*

m(t*-#(#&!s a" i !%&%'i!s #%"trar( a" isti"#t ,r%m #u&tura&&( %mi"a"t ,%rms %,

r!&i'i%sit(/

Pearson, The History and Development of Wicca and Paganism, pg. 50.


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B!#aus! %, t*is #r%ss-$%&&i"ati%" 0!t.!!" N!. A'!) N!%-Pa'a"ism a" t*! O##u&t)

t*! ,%rm!r t.% r!&i'i%us $*!"%m!"a *a+! ar'ua0&( 0!!" stu i! t% t*! !2#&usi%" %,

t*! &att!r/ W*i&! t*! O##u&t is im$&i#it i" a#a !mi# is#ussi%"s %, N!. A'! a"

Pa'a"ism) a" !2a#t !,i"iti%" %, .*at t*! O##u&t is) is %,t!" "!'&!#t! a" assum!

s!&,-!+i !"t/ But t*! i"+!"ti%" %, t*! t!rm t*! W!st!r" Es%t!ri# Tra iti%" *as s!r+!

t*! $ur$%s!s %, #&ari,(i"' t% s%m! a#a !mi#s .*at mi'*t 0! m!a"t .*!" t*! .%r

O##u&tism is us! ) a" t*! .%r O##u&tism its!&, &!,t &ar'!&( t% t*! s$*!r! %, $u0&i#

t!rmi"%&%'(/ H!rm!ti#ism *as a&s% 0!!" 'i+!" s$a#! as a us!,u& t!rm .it*i"

a#a !mi# $ra#ti#!) r!,!rri"' t% t*! $arti#u&ar t*!%ri!s a" $*i&%s%$*( !2$%u" ! i"

t*! C%r$us H!rm!ti#um) %r t*! $ra#ti#!s &ai %ut i" t!2ts .*%s! aut*%rs*i$ is %,t!"

attri0ut! t% t*! s!mi-m(t*%&%'i#a& ,i'ur! %, H!rm!s Trism!'istus ?/ T*!s! ar!)

$arti#u&ar&() A*!m() Ma'i# a" Astr%&%'(/ W*at is "%. $!r*a$s #%mi"' #&!ar is t*at

T*! O##u&t ) as a t!rm us! 0( i"si !rs t% r!,!r t% a s$!#i,i# s$*!r! %, s$iritua& t*!%r(

a" $ra#ti#!) !"%t!s a +ast s$!#trum %, #% !s a" si'"a&s: T*! Tar%t) A*!m( a"

a00a&a* ar! #%"#!$ts 0!&%"'i"' t% t*! !s%t!ri# a" %##u&t i" s%m! s!"s! 0!#aus!

t*!ir m!a"i"' !$!" s %" a" i",%rm! u" !rsta" i"'/ H%.!+!r) t*! Tar%t) A*!m()

a" t*! a00a&a* ar! arti#&!s .*i#* "% &%"'!r r!mai" $ur!&( !s%t!ri#) as t*!( *a+!

i"#r!asi"'&( i" r!#!"t (!ars 0!#%m! $u0&i#) $%$u&ar #% !s %, m!a"i"' ,%r .*at .as

%"#! a $ri+at! a" %0s#ur! s!t %, a&t!r"ati+! #u&tura& is#%urs!s/ tar%t #ar s .!r!

&ai 0ar! ,%r $u0&i# au i!"#! i" t*! 3am!s B%" ,i&m Li+! a" L!t Di! J A*!m( .as

t*! su0;!#t %, t*! r!#!"t 0!st-s!&&i"' 0%% 0( P!t!r C%!&*%) tit&! a$t&( !"%u'*) The

Alchemist / A&s% a00a&a* *as *a its 0rus* .it* $%$u&ar #u&tur! as %"! %, ma"(

#!&!0rit( ,a s t*! mass-m! ia *as #!"tr! i" u$%"/ H%.!+!r) !2#!$t $!r*a$s i" t*!

#as! %, C%!&*%) Tar%t a" a00a&* r!mai" t.%- im!"si%"a& #% !s) .it* "%

$arti#u&ar $u0&i# is#%urs! !2ist!"#! u$%" t*! #%"t!"t 0!*i" t*! #% !s/ Ma %""a1s

att!m$ts at .riti"' a #*i& r!" s 0%% !&i"!ati"' t*! "atur! %, t*! S!$*ir%t* %" t*!

/or a disc!ssion of the mythological fig!re of Hermes Trismegist!s see (ates, Gio dano ! uno andThe "e metic T adition# pps. ))-) and also 2drian *. *il&ert%s fore"ard in Walter 3cott% s translationof the 4orp!s Hermtic!m, "e metica# partic!larly pps.10-1 .


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Otz Chim #a""%t 0! #%mm!"t! u$%") as t*! $r!s!"t aut*%r *as" t r!a it / But

!s$it! t*! $!r*a$s ar0itrar( !2ist!"#! %, t*!s! arti#&!s as $u0&i# "%.&! '!) it is i"

t*is s!"s! t*at t*! +!r( i !a %, a" Es%t!ri# a" O##u&t tra iti%" 0!#%m!s %0s%&!t!)

0!#aus!) t*%u'* t*! m!a"i"' %, #!rtai" t!rms a" $*ras!s ma( r!mai" %0s#ur!

.it*%ut su,,i#i!"t !" uir() 1%##u&tur!1 5 ) t*! %##u&t #%mmu"it( a" its ma"i,!stati%"s i"

art) m! ia a" #%mmu"i#ati%"s) *as arri+! at a stat! %, $u0&i# s#ruti"() .it* its

$arti#u&ar mat!ria&s 0ar! ,%r a"(%"! t% s#ruti"is! i" Wat!rst%"!1s a" B%r !rs 0ut

$arti#u&ar&( .it*i" #(0!r-s$a#!) .*!r! ma"( 1%##u&t s!#r!ts1 ar! i" $&a"! +i!.)

t*!r!,%r! %0s#uri"' t*! %"#! #&!ar 0%u" ari!s 0!t.!!" t*! 1i"itiat! 1 a" t*!

1$r%,a"!1) t% 0%rr%. a"ti uat! .%r s ,r%m t*! O##u&t tra iti%" its!&,/

W*at r!mai"s !s%t!ri# a0%ut t*! W!st!r" Es%t!ri# Tra iti%" is t*! !2$!ri!"#! %, t*!

i"si !r/ A m!t*% %&%'i#a&&( s%u" a$$r%a#* t% r!+i!.i"' O##u&tism #%u& i"+%&+!

$*!"%m!"%&%'( a" a" !t*"%'ra$*i# $r%,i&! %, a s$!#i,i# !+!"t) .*i#* m!t*% s I .i&&

us! i" t*! ,%r!'%i"'/ But us! %, $*!"%m!"%&%'( a" t*! !i !ti# +isi%" !+% !s t*!

$r%0&!ms $r!s!"t! 0( !ti# a" !mi# $!rs$!#ti+!s) ar'ua0&( m%r! %, a" a#ut!

$r%0&!m .it*i" t*! stu ( %, t*! W!st!r" Es%t!ri# Tra iti%" a" O##u&tism t*a" .it*i"

%t*!r tra iti%"s/ W*i&! t*! &imits %, $*!"%m!"%&%'( ar! a&.a(s im$%s! t*r%u'* t*!

!2ist!"tia& *a" i#a$ %, $!r#!$ti+! 0arri!rs 0!t.!!" %"! *uma" mi" a" a"%t*!r)

r!'ar &!ss %, t*! #u&tura& $ra#ti#!s 0!i"' stu i! ) $*!"%m!"%&%'( as a$$&i! t%

%##u&tism su,,!rs ,r%m t*is *a" i#a$ t% a 'r!at!r !'r!!) u! t% t*! $ur$%rt! !,,!#ts

%, $ra#ti#a& %##u&tism u$%" t*! #%"s#i%us"!ss %, t*! $ra#titi%"!r/ B!#aus! $ra#ti#a&

%##u&tism r!$ut! &( #*a"'!s t*! mi" ) r!$r!s!"t! a&&!'%ri#a&&( as t*! a*!mi#a&

tra"smutati%" %, L!a i"t% G%& ) .*!" t*! $*!"%m!"%&%'ist +i!.s t*is tra"smut!

The Otz $him is the central glyph of Hermetic a&&alh, $the Tree of 6ife% - the sephi oth ares!ccessive stages of manifestation in the 7eo-Platonic philosophy of that partic!lar system. 2 note "ill

&e made here of the importance in differentiating the a&&alah of 8!daism, "ith the 9enaissance4hristian- a&&alah "hich the Hermetic a&&alah is lragely a development of. 3ee (ates$s introd!ction

to her, The Occult Philosophy in The Elizabethan Age for a thoro!gh disc!ssion of the distinction.10 2 term the present a!thor "ill !se to indicate modern occ!lt comm!nities and practices, "hoseheritage is the "ider &and of the :cc!lt Tradition.


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G%& t*!( .i&& sti&& s!! it as L!a ) u"&!ss t*!( *a+! $arta !" %, t*! $r%#!ss .*!r!0(

t*! 1su0sta"#!1 is tra"smut! / Pr!t!" i"' t*!( s!! G%& .*!" t*!( r!a&&( s!! L!a

.i&& % "% '%% !it*!r) ma i"' t*! tas %, $*!"%m!"%&%'i#a&( $!r#!i+i"' t*! %##u&t

.%r& -+i!. as a $%t!"tia& i,,i#u&t( .it*%ut !m$iri#a& "%.&! '!/ H%.!+!r) t*is is "%t

"!#!ssari&( a $r%0&!m !2#&usi+! t% t*! W!st!r" Es%t!ri# Tra iti%" a" %##u&t

s$iritua&it(/ W*at is $!#u&iar a0%ut t*! W!st!r" Es%t!ri# Tra iti%") as .it* a tra iti%"

&i ! Ti0!ta" Bu *ism) is t*! i !a %, i"itiati%" a" t*! $ur$%rt! #*a"'!s it 0ri"'s t%

t*! $!r#!$ti%" %, t*! I"si !r t%.ar s #!rtai" #% !s a" s(m0%&s .it*i" a tra iti%"/ T%

.*at !2t!"t #a" t*! s#*%&ar %, r!&i'i%"s a#tua&&( s!! t*!s! #*a"'!s) .it*%ut m!r!&(

a##!$ti"' t*! $ra#titi%"!rs !2$!ri!"#! t*at t*!( ar! t*!r!< But is it at a&& ,ruit,u& t%

u!sti%" t*! &!'itima#( %, t*! !2$!ri!"#! %, a" i"itiat!< I" a m!t*% %&%'i#a& "%t! t%

*is %." stu ( %, N!%-Pa'a"ism) istening People! "pea#ing Earth! Gra*am Har+!(

ma !s t*! ,%&&%.i"' $%i"t: 4M( a$$r%a#* i" R!&i'i%us Stu i!s is P*!"%m!"%&%'i#a&/

T*at m!a"s t*at I ta ! s!ri%us&( $!%$&! s s!&,-u" !rsta" i"' a" s!&,-$r!s!"tati%"/

W*i&! I am "%t "!#!ssari&( #%"+i"#! %r !"t*ra&&! 0( !+!r(t*i"' t*at Pa'a" s % a"

sa() I #%"si !r .*at t*!( % a" sa( as .*at Pa'a"ism is/9 T*is is a" im$&i#it

assum$ti%" i" t*! stu ( %, %& !r) .!&& !sta0&is*! a" $u0&i# tra iti%"s &i ! Is&am)

3u aism a" C*ristia"it(/ It is $!r*a$s !asi!r t% is#!r" a $!rs%" as $ra#tisi"' t*is %r

t*at r!&i'i%" i, a" !sta0&is*! %rt*% %2( !2ists as a t!m$&at! ,%r t*! r!&i'i%us s#*%&ar

t% r!,!r t%/ Wit* %##u&tism) as .it* N!%-$a'a"ism) t*%u'* a tra#!a0&! tra iti%" %,

$ra#ti#! !2ists ,%r t*! s#*%&ar t% #%"si !r) a r!i'"i"' %rt*% %2( is &a# i"') as is a

*i!rar#*( iss!mi"ati"' %"t%&%'i#a& s$!#i,i#s a0%ut t*! r!&i'i%") !2#!$t i" t*! #as! %,

s$!#i,i# 'r%u$s a" #%mmu"iti!s/ T*is $!r*a$s ma !s it "!#!ssar( ,%r su#*

stat!m!"ts t% 0! ma !/ It is ,%r t*is r!as%" t*at t*! $r!s!"t aut*%r ,!!&s t*! "!! t%

r!'ar t*! i" i+i ua& !2$!ri!"#! %, I"itiati%" as $aram%u"t i" is#!r"i"' t*! .i !r

"arrati+!s %, t*! %##u&t tra iti%" a" %##u&tur!/ T*! +aria0i&it( ,r%m %"! $ra#titi%"!r t%

a"%t*!r) $arti#u&ar&( i" t*! L!,t-Ha" Pat* t!&!%&%'( is#uss! *!r!) "!#!ssitat! a

i,,!r!"t a$$r%a#* t*a" s$iritua&iti!s a" r!&i'i%"s .it* a" !sta0&is*! %rt*% %2(/ As


9/36

.i&& 0! s*%.") a" %rt*% %2( ma( 0! a$$ar!"t i" t*! r!&i'i%sit( %, a" %##u&t

$ra#titi%"!r) 0ut is %,t!" #%";%i"! .it* %t*!r %rt*% %2i!s ) $&ura&isi"' a" t*!r!,%r!

$!r*a$s "u&&i,(i"' t*! #%"#!$t i" t*! %"'%i"' #r!ati%" %, t*! $!rs%"a& t!&!%&%'i#a&

matri2/

T*!r! ar! $!r*a$s su$!r,i#ia& &i" s 0!t.!!" i"itiati%" a" 0a$tism i") ,%r !2am$&!)

#!rtai" C*ristia" tra iti%"s/ But 0!#aus! %, t*! t!&!%&%'i#a& "atur! %, W!st!r"

Es%t!ri# $ra#ti#!) %,t!" s!!" as a &i"!ar $r%'r!ssi%" ,r%m a t% 0 55) t*is !"tai&s t*!

"!#!ssit( %, a 10!'i""i"'1 ,%r t*! $ra#titi%"!r) a s(m0%&i# !+!"t %, !m!r'!"#! i"t% t*!

t!&!%&%'i#a& $r%#!ss) 0ut a&s% su##!ssi+! #%"ti"ui"' i"itiati%"s uri"' t*! t!&!%&%'i#a&

$r%#!ss - t*is is .*at i"itiati%" is m!a"t t% r!$r!s!"t/ N!ma 7Ma''i! I"'a&s8) Hi'*

Pri!st!ss %, Maatia" Ma'i# ) 'i+!s t*! ,%&&%.i"' su##i"#t !,i"iti%" %, i"itiati%" ,r%m a

$ra#titi%"!rs $!rs$!#ti+!: 4I"itiati%" is t*! $r%#!ss i" .*i#* %"! is#%+!rs a "!. +i!.

%, !+!r(t*i"') a &ar'!r #%"t!2t ,%r u" !rsta" i"' a" .is %m/9 5= T*is !,i"iti%" is

!m0&!mati# %, t*! #%"ti"ui"' "atur! %, I"itiati%" i" m% !r" %##u&tism/ Gra*am Har+!(

$r!s!"ts a "!at is#ussi%" %, i"itiati%" i" t*! #%"t!2t %, Wit#*#ra,t) *i'*&i'*ti"' t*!

i,,!r!"t attitu !s ,r%m $ra#titi%"!r t% $ra#titi%"!r:

S%m! .it#*!s ar! *a$$( t% $!r,%rm t*!ir %." i"itiati%"s) 'ui ! 0( 0%% s)

%t*!r $!%$&! s i !as a" t*!ir %." i"tuiti%"/ Ot*!rs i"sist t*at i"itiati%" must

ta ! $&a#! i" $r!s#ri0! .a(s/ O"&( $r%$!r&( i"itiat! $ri!st!ss!s a" $ri!sts

#a" $r%$!r&( i"itiat! %t*!rs/ T*is #a" sim$&( m!a" t*at t% 0! a $ri!st!ss %r

$ri!st m!a"s t% 0! r!#%'"is! 0( s%m!%"!J it is "%t a u!sti%" %, (%ur %$i"i%"

%, (%urs!&,/ M%r! %,t!" it is u" !rst%% t*at i" i+i ua&s #a" ! i#at!

t*!ms!&+!s t% a $at*) 0ut i"itiati%" is a 'r!at!r st!$) %"! .*i#* i"+%&+!s %t*!rs

11 /or instance, a 9osicr!cian teleology, adopted &y the Hermetic :rder of the *olden Da"n, presented as a system of grades; 7eophyte,


10/36

s*a$i"' t*! !2$!ri!"#!/ 5

Ba$tism) *%.!+!r) is i"t!r$r!t! as a" !" i" its!&,) a" t*%u'* $!r*a$s a"

i"tr% u#ti%" t% a C*ur#*) it is "%t t*! ,irst $r%#!ss %, ma"( .*i#*) .*!t*!r $!r#!i+!

as &i"!ar %r "%"-&i"!ar) usua&&( i"+%&+! a $r%&%"'! ) $!r*a$s !+!" a &i,!tim!)

#%mmitm!"t t%.ar s s%m!t*i"' t% 1#%m$&!t!1/ T%.ar s is#ussi"' t*! im$%rta"#! %,

i"itiati%" a" +!ri,(i"' .*at it i"+%&+!s) a" aut%0i%'ra$*i#a& !t*"%'ra$*i# stu ( .i&& 0!

$r!s!"t! ) .*!r! t*! $r!s!"t aut*%r .as i"itiat! i"t% t*! H%rus-Maat L% '!/ A ,u&&

!&i"!ati%" %, !+!r(t*i"' t*at .as %##urri"' .i&& 0! 'i+!") .it* a su0s! u!"t

!#%"stru#ti%" a" a"a&(sis %, t*! !+!"t i" u!sti%"/ T*! $r!s!"t aut*%r .i&&

t*!r!,%r! 0! s*i,ti"' 0!t.!!" I"si !r a" Outsi !r $!rs$!#ti+!s/ A m% !& ,%r t*is

i"si !r as a#a !mi# a$$r%a#* .as $r%+i ! 0( 3!""( B&ai" s 0%% $ine Worlds of

"eid%Magic&5> T*%u'* t*at $arti#u&ar 0%% is #%"#!r"! .it* N!%-Pa'a"ism a" t*!

r!-i"+!"ti%" %, a s$!#i,i#a&&( N%r i# tra iti%") it s!r+!s as a" i&&ustrati%" %, t*! &i" s

0!t.!!" t*! tra iti%"s usua&&( r!'ar ! as O##u&t/ S$!#i,i# &i" a'!s #a" 0! ,%u"

0!t.!!" i,,!r!"t N!%-$a'a" tra iti%"s a" t*! .i !r 0a" %, t*! W!st!r" Es%t!ri#

Tra iti%" t*r%u'* t*! im$%rta"#! %, 1Ritua& Ma'i#7 81 56 t% s!#ti%"s %, 0%t*/ A .%r i"'

!,i"iti%" %, Ritua& Ma'i# ,%r t*! s#*%&ar %, r!&i'i%"s #%u& 0! t*! $!r#!i+!

i"t!ra#ti%" %, t*! $ra#titi%"!r .it* i"t!r"a& a" K%r !2t!r"a& ,%r#!s .*i#* $r% u#!

#*a"'!s i" #%"s#i%us"!ss a" K%r t*! !"+ir%"m!"t/ S$!#i,i# t% t*! ,%&&%.i"'

is#ussi%" is a&s% t*! i !a %, a L!,t-Ha" Pat* %, O##u&tism) a t!rm .*i#* *as

a&r!a ( 0!!" us! 0ut "%t !,i"! / W*i&! i" #!rtai" ar!as %, %##u&t $ra#ti#! s!2)

ru's) *%m%s!2ua&it( a" t*! 0&urri"' %, '!" !r ar! $r%*i0it! %r at &!ast "%t

1' Harvey, 'istening People# (pea)ing Ea th , pg. )5.1) 3ee Clain, *ine &o lds of (eid+Magic# pgs. -1 .15 The $ % in magic is a either@or insider%s appendage. Harvey e#plains; ...the $ % is an important partof the self-identity of many magic? Aians, not only left-hand path ones. =n partic!lar it disting!ishes

them from pop!lar forms of magic as stage or tv entertainment, i.e. tric s. There are some pagans "horeBect this variety of rit!al magic. 'istening People# (pea)ing Ea th , pg. . The foregoing is largelyconcerned "ith comm!nities "here the % % is an important appendage, hence its !sage here.


11/36

!"#%ura'! 5@ i" %t*!rs t*!( ar! !&!+at! t% a $%siti%" %, im$%rta"#! 5 / T*! ,%rm!r is

t*! ri'*t *a" $at*) a" t*! &att!r t*! &!,t/ T*! L!,t-Ha" Pat* is "%t a isti"#ti%"

$!#u&iar t% t*! W!st!r" %##u&t #%mmu"it() *a+i"' as its s%ur#! t*! Hi" u #%"#!$t %,

t*! 'arma Marg - a" ,r%m t*! aut*%rs $!rs%"a& !2$!ri!"#! .it*i" O##u&tur!) it1s

is#!r"i0&! t*at t*! isti"#ti%" is im$%rta"t t% s%m!) a" &!ss im$%rta"t t% %t*!rs/

Pra#titi%"!r A"t%" C*a""i"' sa(s t*! ,%&&%.i"' a0%ut t*! isti"#ti%": 4T*!s! t!rms

ri'*t-*a" $at* a" &!,t-*a" $at* ar! ar#*ai# a" .%u& s!!m t% *a+! &itt&!

r!&!+a"#! t% a"( *%&isti# ma'i#a& s(st!m) a s(st!m t*at aim! at t*! &i0!rati%" %, a&&

as$!#ts %, t*! s!&,) 0! t*!( &i'*t %r ar /9 5? It mi'*t) *%.!+!r) 0! us!,u& i" a s#*%&ar&(

#%"t!2t i" %r !r t% is%&at! t*! s$!#i,i# attitu !s %, %"! s!#ti%" %, t*! %##u&t .%r& -+i!.

a" its s$!#i,i# #%mmu"it( ,r%m a"%t*!r) a" t% #&ari,( s$!#i,i# att!" a"t t*!%ri!s a"

$ra#ti#!s/ A m%r! !tai&! is#ussi%" %, L!,t-Ha" Pat* %##u&tism .i&& 0! $r!s!"t!

at t*! 0!'i""i"' %, t*! "!2t s!#ti%"/

As a #%"ti"uati%" %, t*! is#ussi%" %, !t*"%'ra$*( .it*i" t*! W!st!r" Es%t!ri#

Tra iti%") t% $ursu! a t*%r%u'* !t*"%'ra$*( %, t*! %##u&t) t*! !2ist!"#! %, t*!

I"t!r"!t $r!s#ri0!s a isti"#t a +a"ta'! ,%r t*! !t*"%'ra$*!r) ,%r#i"' t*!m a mitt! &(

t% 0!#%m! a #(0!r-!t*"%'ra$*!r) .*!r! t*! I"t!r"!t is us! as a &!"s %, i"t!r"ati%"a&

,%#us/ T*! r!s!ar#*!r is a0&! t% s!! i"t!r"ati%"a& #%mmu"iti!s a" +i!. t*!ir

is#ussi%"s) a" i" s%m! #as!s s!! t*! %##u$ati%"s %, m!m0!rs a" 'ai" i"si'*t

i"t% t*!ir $ra#ti#!s a" 0!&i!,s 5 / T*! isti"#t isa +a"ta'! %, a"( !t*"%'ra$*i#

r!s!ar#* !"a#t! t*r%u'* t*! I"t!r"!t is t*! +!ra#it( %, t*! $!%$&! !"#%u"t!r! -

s%m!tim!s t*!ir '!" !r is u" "%." 7t*! $r!s!"t aut*%r) ,%r i"sta"#!) %" *is %."

Ya*%% $r%,i&!) &!,t t*! '!" !r s!#ti%" t%ta&&( 0&a" 8 a" %"! #a" %"&( a#t %" ,ait* t*at

t*!( ar! t!&&i"' t*! trut* a0%ut ass%#iati%"s a" !2$!ri!"#!s) a" .*!t*!r t*!(

1+ /or instance "ithin the 3ociety of the =nner 6ight ?refA1 /or instance, the :rder ov 4haos. 3ee (il) Mil) , - , vario!s contri&!tors, edited &y :rryelleDefenestrate-Casc!le, partic!larly pps, , ''-'), + - ).

1 4hanning, aos "ei oglyphica , Pg. 1 .1 /or instance, see """."itchvo#.com. Partic!larly this place here in this. 2nd alt.magic .com forongoing comm!nications and conversations &et"een a variety of occ!ltists and occ!lt enth!siasts.


12/36

a#tua&&( $ra#ti#! t*! %##u&t/ But i" s%m! #as!s) t*is is "% i,,!r!"t t*a" s%m! r!a&

tim! a" s$a#! !t*"%'ra$*( - it is %,t!" ta !" ,%r 'ra"t! ) i, %"&( ,%r #%"+!"i!"#!)

t*at t*! !t*"%'ra$*i# su0;!#t is t!&&i"' t*! trut*/ C(0!r-!t*"%'ra$*() is ar'ua0&(

i"+a&ua0&! at arri+i"' at a #&!ar i !a %, 1.*%1 a" %##u&tist is) a" #r!ati"' a s%#i%-

'!%'ra$*i# $i#tur! %, %##u&tists %" a" i"t!r"ati%"a& s#a&!/ N% %t*!r s%ur#! !"a0&!s

t*! s#*%&ar t% +i!. su#* a .i ! 0!rt* %, %##u&t $ra#titi%"!rs a&&-i"-%"!-$&a#!/ It #%u&

0! $!rti"!"t *!r! t% r!m!m0!r t*at .*!" .! as t*! u!sti%" .*% %r .*at is a"

O##u&tist< .! ru" i"t% t*! sam! i,,i#u&ti!s $%s! 0( as i"' t*! u!sti%" .*% %r

.*at is a Mus&im< - !2#!$t t*at i" t*! &att!r #as!) as .it* C*ristia"it( a" %t*!r

%r'a"is! r!&i'i%us tra iti%"s) r!&i'i%" #a" %,t!" 0! !"t.i"! .it* !t*"i#it( as a

s$!#i,i# $art %, a" i"*!rit! #u&tura& i !"tit() rat*!r t*a" a" a#ti+! ai&( arti#&! %,

$ra#ti#! a" 0!&i!,/ A" O##u&tist is su#* 0!#aus! t*!( #*%%s! t% 0!) 0ri"'i"' us 0a#

,u&& #ir#&! t% t*! i !a t*at as a" a$$&i! r!&i'i%sit() O##u&tism is $!r*a$s 0!st !,i"!

as a $!rs%"a& t!&!%&%'i#a& matri2 %, t*!%r( a" $ra2is) 0!&%"'i"' t% t*! .i !r 0a" %,

#% !s) si'"s a" s(m0%&s .*i#* #%&&!#ti+!&( ma ! u$ t*! W!st!r" Es%t!ri# Tra iti%"/

THE LEFT-HAND PATH OF OCCULTISM

As .it* m%st r!&i'i%us a" s$iritua& tra iti%"s) W!st!r" Es%t!ri#ism *as its %."

+!rsi%" %, its %." *ist%r() $!r*a$s "%t a&i'"! .it* a##!$t! *ist%ri#a& is#%urs!/ =

T*%u'* t*at s*%u& ) $!r*a$s) r!a as *ist%ri!s - ,%r "%t a&& *ist%ri!s ar! a'r!! )

a" "%t a&& $ra#titi%"!rs ar! #%"#!r"! .it* a s$!#i,i#) i !"ti,ia0&! &i"!a'! %, t*!

%##u&t tra iti%"/ W*at s!!ms a##!$t! ) as 'at*!r! ,r%m t*! sur+i+a& %, t!2ts ,r%m

A"#i!"t t% m%r! m% !r" tim!s) is t*at ma'i#a& $ra#ti#! a" 0!&i!,) Astr%&%'( a"

t*! '!"!ra& i"t!r,a#! %, t*! *uma" s$!#i!s .it* %t*!r stat!s %, #%"s#i%us"!ss a"

t*! sa#r! ar! as %& as r!#%r ! *ist%r(/ I" !! ) i" 3am!s Fra !r s "%. %ut at!

0 2s also o&served "ithin 7eo-paganism and their idea of a contin!ation of a pre-4hristian Pagantradition.


13/36

(olden )ough! it is $r%$%s! t*at r!&i'i%" 'r!. %ut %, Ma'i# - s%m!t*i"' a&s%

$r%$%s! ) 0( t*! tit&! a&%"!) i" !it* T*%mas s stu ( *eligion and the Decline of

Magic&It is a&s% ar'ua0&! t*at m% !r" O##u&tism *as mu#* i" #%mm%" .it*

O##u&tism i" t*! A"#i!"t Gr!! !ra/ O"&( a +!r( 0ri!, #%m$aris%" "!! 0! ma !

0!t.!!" a"( m% !r" $u0&i#ati%" ,r%m t*! ma'i#a& #%mmu"it( a" A"#i!"t Gr!!

Pa$(rus t% "%ti#! t*! simi&ariti!s i" s("#r!tisti# a$$r%a#*:

O &%r A$%&&%) #%m! .it* Paia"/ Gi+! $r%$*!#( #%"#!r"i"' t*%s! t*i"'s I !sir!)

&%r / O mast!r &!a+! M%u"t Par"ass%s a" t*! D!&$*i# P(t*% .*!"!+!r m(

$ri!st&( m%ut* 'i+!s +%i#! t% s!#r!t .%r s) ,%r!m%st a"'!& %, t*! '% ) 'r!at !us/

IAO I #a&& t*!! MICHAEL) .*% *%& !t* t*! *!a+!" s r!a&m) I #a&& t*!! GABRIEL/

C%m! %." ,r%m O&(m$%s) ABRASA ) .*% !&i'*t!t* i" t*! a.") #%m! .it*

,a+%ur) .*% +i!.!t* t*! su"s!t ,r%m t*! a.": ADONAI/ Fat*!r %, t*! .%r& ) a&&

"atur! tr!m0&!s i" ,!ar 0!,%r! t*!!: PA ERBETH =5

H!r! .! *a+! t*! "am!s %, t*! Ar#*a"'!&s) Mi#*a!&) Ga0ri!& a" a tit&! %, t*!3u !%-C*ristia" G% A %"ai i" t*! sam! i"+%#ati%" as !us) A$$%&&%) IAO a"

A0rasa2) a ,usi%" %, Gr!! a" G"%sti# !iti!s/ T*! s("#r!tisti# a" i"#&usi+!

a$$r%a#* t% s$iritua&it( is "%t a" !2#&usi+! ,!atur! %, m% !r" %##u&tism) 0ut %,

#%"t!m$%rar( s$iritua&iti!s i" '!"!ra&/ == T*is tra iti%" %, ma'i# a" %##u&tism)

t*!") a$$!ars t% 0! a isti"#t +!ri,ia0&! *ist%r() a$art ,r%m t*! #&aims %, W!st!r"

Es%t!ri#ism) .*i#* mai"tai"s a simi&ar is#%urs!) 0ut a&s% r!&ati"' A"#i!"t E'($t

as a s%ur#! %, t*!ir tra iti%"s) $arti#u&ar&( t*! H!rm!ti# tra iti%") a" s%m!tim!s

i"#%r$%rati"' is#%urs!s a0%ut a"#i!"t s%ur#!s) su#* as At&a"tis a" L!muria = /

S$!#i,i# t% t*is stu ( ar! I"si !r is#%urs!s a0%ut t*! us! %, s!2 .it*i" m(sti#a&

1 /lo"ers, "e metic Magic , pg. 1 0, from Hans Deiter CetE%s G ee) Magical Papy i in T anslation.

3ee 3!tcliffe, 3ee ers and *!r!s in the >odern World pps. ,' Theosophy in partic!lar, &!t at a pagan moot in Celfast, = did hear a Dr!id tal a&o!t a long traditionof Dr!idry, starting in 2tlantis..


14/36

$ra#ti#!) a" s!2ua& s(m0%&ism .it*i" t*! %##u&t/ A is#ussi%" %, t*!s! $arti#u&ar

as$!#ts %, %##u&tism ar! 0%u" u$ .it*i" t*! *!rm!"!uti#s %, t*! L!,t-Ha" Pat*/ It

s!!ms '!"!ra&&( a##!$t! .it*i" L!,t-Ha" Pat* O##u&tism t*at m%st %, t*!

A*!mi#a& &it!ratur! !2ta"t ,r%m t*! mi &! a'!s %".ar ar! +!i&! t!2ts) .ritt!" i"

s%-#a&&! t.i&i'*t &a"'ua'!) .*i#* ar! $ur$%rt! t% $r%+i ! i"stru#ti%" i" t*! $ra#ti#!

%, sa#r! s!2 =>/ It is #&aim! t*at t*! $arti#u&ar $r%#!ss!s $r!s!"t! !&i"!at!

m!t*% s .*!r!0( t*! %##u&t $ra#titi%"!r) .it* !it*!r a s!2ua& $art"!r %r 0(

t*!ms!&+!s) #a" #r!at! su0sta"#!s) t*r%u'* $ra#ti#! %, t*! #%rr!#t m!t*% s) .*i#*

#a" t*! 0! us! i" Ritua& Ma'#i a& #%"t!2ts =6/ T*!s! $ra#ti#!s r!mai" i"t!'ra& t%

m%st L!,t-Ha" $at* %##u&tism) 0ut ar! $arti#u&ar&( +a&u! t%%&s .it*i" t*! T*!&!mi#

Curr!"t/

As .i&& "% %u0t *a+! 0!!" "%t! ) as t*is $a$!r *as $r%'r!ss! ) t*! &!"s %, t*!

r!s!ar#*!r *as start! .it* 0r%a !,i"iti%"s) a" *as ra." i" !!$&( t% m%r!

s$!#i,i# m% !s %, %##u&t $ra#ti#! a" 0!&i!,/ Ha+i"' 0!'u" u"$a# i"' t*! t!rm 1Ri'*t-

Ha" ! 1 a" 1L!,t-Ha" ! 1 $at*s i" r!&ati%" t% O##u&tism) 0ra"#*i"' %,, i"t% a

t*%r%u'* is#ussi%" %, t*! &att!r) .! *a+! "%. arri+! at isti"#ti%"s a" 0ra"#*!s

.it*i" t*! s$*!r! %, L!,t-Ha" Pat* %##u&tism its!&,/ T*!s! ar! is#uss! i" Gra*am

Har+!(1s istening People! "pea#ing Earth ) i" a #*a$t!r .*%&&( !+%t! t% t*!

su0;!#t) s% t*at a is#ussi%" %, t*!s! !&!m!"ts is "%t !"tir!&( "!./ =@ But .*at

#%"stitut!s t*! T*!&!mi# Curr!"t< W*at is T*!&!mi#< W*at is a Curr!"t< T*!&!ma is

a $arti#u&ar ma"i,!stati%" %, %##u&t %#tri"! a" $ra#ti#! r!su&ti"' ,r%m t*! &i,! a"

.%r %, A&!ist!r Cr%.&!( 75? 6-5 > 8/ B!,%r! is#ussi"' T*!&!ma at m%r! &!"'t* as

a" arti#&! %, O##u&t $ra#ti#! a" 0!&i!,) .*i#* .i&& 0ri"' us i"t% t*! ,irst $!rs%"

a##%u"t %, I"itiati%" a" t*! Ma'i# a& Pat*) is#ussi"' t*! t!rm Curr!"t i" r!&ati%" t%

) 3ee 9egardie, The T ee of 'ife , pgs. ) - 55 and also Donald >ichael raig%s practical instr!ction &oo , Mode n (e/ Magic) , pps. '-5, -15 partic!larly, &!t he devotes the first chapter to the history of

se# magic .5 raig, Mode n (e/ Magic) , pg. ' -' .+ Harvey, 'istening People# (pea)ing Ea th# pgs. -101


15/36

O##u&tism a" s$!#i,i#a&&( Ritua& Ma'i# .%u& 0! us!,u&/ A #urr!"t is a str!am %,

i !as) $*i&%s%$*i!s a" $ra#ti#!s #*ara#t!ris! 0( $arti#u&ar ,%r#!s a" !"!r'i!s)

a" %,t!" s$!#i,i# D!iti!s/ Wit*i" L!,t-Ha" Pat* O##u&tism) t*!r! ar! a "um0!r %,

#urr!"ts ,%r t*! $ra#titi%"!r t% ra. ,r%m - t*! a%s Curr!"t) #*ara#t!ris! 0( t*!

'% !ss Ba0a&%" 7T*!&!mi# s$!&&i"'8) t*! = Curr!"t) #*ara#t!ris! 0( D!iti!s

a$$!ari"' i" t*! s#i!"#!-,a"tas( %, H/P/L%+!#ra,t - a" 0r%a !r &a0!&s su#* as t*!

Dra#%"ia" Curr!"t a" t*! T($*%"ia" Curr!"t = / D!tai&! is#ussi%" %, t*!s!

i,,!r!"t Curr!"ts .it*i" m% !r" %##u&tism .%u& 0ri"' %ur su0;!#t i"t% !+!" m%r!

#%m$&i#at! #%m$artm!"ta&isati%") a" t*!( ar! "%t i"t!'ra& t% t*! $ra#ti#! a" 0!&i!,

%, a&& %##u&tists) 0ut t*!ir m!"ti%" *%$!,u&&( s!r+!s as a" i" i#ati%" %, t*! #%m$&!2it(

%, is#ussi"' m% !r" O##u&tism i" a" a#a !mi# #%"t!2t: i, .! +i!. O##u&tism as a

$!rs%"a& matri2 %, 0!&i!, a" $ra#ti#!) t*! +ari!ti!s $!r*a$s "um0!r t*! am%u"t %,

$ra#titi%"!rs t*!ms!&+!s) 0ri"'i"' i"t% u!sti%" .*!t*!r stu (i"' O##u&tism as a"

arti#&! %, r!&i'i%sit( is u&timat!&( ,ruit,u&/

I" t*! s$*!r! %, T*!&!mi# $ra#ti#!s) t*! us! %, s!2 a" s!2ua&it( is $aram%u"t as a"

!&!m!"t %, t*! $!rs%"a& t!&!%&%'(/ T*! ,usi%" a" $%$u&arit( %, Ta"tri# $ra#ti#!s) a"

t*! su0s! u!"t im$%rtati%" %, Guru-C*!&a &i"!a'!s s$!#i,i#) ,%r i"sta"#!) i" t*! Nat*

tra iti%") ar! a" im$%rta"t as$!#t %, O##u&tur!) u! t% t*! ,r! u!"#( %, L!,t Ha"

%##u&tists t% 0! i"+%&+! i" Ta"tri# $ra#ti#!/ T*is a&s% 0ri"'s i"t% u!sti%" t*! $!#u&iar

i,,i#u&t( %, .*!t*!r t% #%"si !r s%m! %##u&tists Ta"tri#s) %r Ti0!ta" Bu *ists)

a&%"'si ! t*!ir s$!#i,i# arti#&!s %, O##u&t $ra#ti#! a" 0!&i!,/ U&timat!&( t*%u'*) it

s!r+!s as a isti"#t i" i#ati%" %, t*! #%m$&!2it( %, #%"t!m$%rar( r!&i'i%sit(/ W! .i&&

r!tur" t% t*is is#ussi%" i" a" att!m$t t% r!s%&+! t*!s! issu!s i" #%"#&usi%" t% t*!

.*%&! $a$!r) a" #%"ti"u! 0!&%. .it* a" att!m$t! '!"!ra& %ut&i"! %, L!,t Ha" $at*

O##u&tism/

The names of all of these c!rrents are derived from, respectively, the follo"ing; Ciroco ?ed.A aos ,

Defenestrate-Casc!le The ' 4!rrent in (il)Mil) , 0 . The Draconian and Typhonian 4!rrent%s aree#po!nded !pon at great length in enneth *rant%s three trilogies of &oo s, "hich "ill &e listed in the

&i&liography.


16/36

T*! $arti#u&ar $ra#ti#!s .*i#* #%"stitut! L!,t-Ha" Pat* %##u&tism ar! "%. a+ai&a0&!)

as .it* m%st %##u&t t*!%r() t% a mu#* .i !r au i!"#!/ Am%"'st t*! usa'! %, s!2ua&

su0sta"#!s t% #*ar'! ma'i# a& ta&isma"s) a" as s$!#i,i# !&i2ir %r sa#ram!"t t%

im0i0! ,%r tra"s,%rmati%"a& !,,!#ts) s!2 is a&s% us! t% i" u#! tra"#! .it*i" t*!

$ra#titi%"!r =?) "%ta0&( .it*i" C*a%s Ma'i# ) a ritua& ma'i# m%+!m!"t t*at start! i"

L!! s) E"'&a" ) a" #%"ti"u!s t% mai"tai" a str%"' $r!s!"#! .it*i" %##u&tur!/

C*a%s Ma'i# is $arti#u&ar&( #%"#!r"! .it* t*! a"ar#*i# 0r!a i"' %." %& ,%rms %,

%##u&t $ra#ti#!) !"#%ura'i"' t*! $ra#titi%"!r t% !"#%m$ass .*at!+!r $ra#ti#!s .%r

.it*i" a $!rs%"a& 1ma'i# a& $at*1/ As ma( *a+! 0!!" "%t! a&r!a () *%.!+!r) t*is is a

0r%a #*ara#t!risti# %, O##u&tism) "%t "!#!ssari&( t*! !2#&usi+! $ra#ti#! %, C*a%s

Ma'i#ia"s = /

A"%t*!r as$!#t %, L!,t Ha" $at* %##u&tism %, "%t! is t*! us! %, mi" -a&t!ri"'

su0sta"#!s/ As *as 0!!" %0s!r+! .it*i" t*! $s(#*%&%'( %, r!&i'i%"s ) ru's *a+!

0!!" us! t% i" u#! r!&i'i%us !2$!ri!"#!) %r as $art %, r!&i'i%us %r ma'i#a& ritua& 0(

i,,!r!"t #u&tur!s a" t*r%u'*%ut *ist%r(/ E+!" i" t*! Cat*%&i# Mass) a%*%& is

istri0ut! t% t*! 'at*!r! $arti#i$a"ts) $!r*a$s "%t i" a %s! su,,i#i!"t t% $r% u#!

i"t%2i#ati%") 0ut a%*%& is a ru' "%"!t*!&!ss/ T*! $arti#u&ar issu!s surr%u" i"' t*!

us! %, %"! ru' %r a"%t*!r ar! %,t!" i#tat! 0( t*! &!'a&it( %, t*! su0sta"#!) a" K%r

r!i'"i"' #u&tura& is#%urs!s r!'ar i"' t*!ir !,,!#ts) u$%" 0%t* t*! i" i+i ua& a"

s%#i!t( at &ar'!/ T% i" u#! gnosis! i" t*! s$!#i,i# s!"s! %, t*at t!rm as us! 0(

C*a%s Ma'i#ia"s as a stat! %, ma'i# a& tra"#! 5 ) is %"! .a( i" .*i#* t*!s!

su0sta"#!s ar! us! / T*! %t*!r is $!r*a$s i" t*! m(sti#a& s!"s!) i" %r !r t% #*a"'!

4arrol, 'ibe *ull and Psychonaut# pp.+ - 1 Harvey gives a fair treatment of "hat constit!tes 4haos >agic in 'istening People# (pea)ing

Ea th# pp. -100.

'0 Ceit-Hallahmi and >ichael 2rgyle, The Psychology of Religious !eha1iou# !elief and E/pe ience , pps. 5-'1 4arrol, 'ibe *ull and Psychonaut# pp. '1-'5.


17/36

t*! mi" t% 0!tt!r a$$r!#iat! a" U&timat! R!a&it(/ =

As a s!t %, t*!%ri!s a" $ra#ti#!s) t*!") %,t!" i"t!'rat! .it* t*! us! %, Ritua&

Ma'i# ) L!,t-Ha" Pat* O##u&tism us!s s!2 a" s!2ua&it( t%.ar s s$!#i,i# '%a&s

&i" ! i" .it* t*! t!&!%&%'i#a& $r%#!ss is#uss! a0%+!/ W! .i&& "%. 0r!a %." t*!

s$!#i,i# !&!m!"ts %, L!,t-Ha" Pat* %##u&tism i" t*! .!st) i" %r !r t% isti"'uis* a"

a"a&(s! a s$!#i,i# s!t %, t*!%ri!s a" $ra#ti#!s .it*i" t*! 0r%a !r %##u&t tra iti%"/

T*! $r!s!"t aut*%r .i&& r!,!r!"#! t*! m%r! '!"!ra& $arts %, t*! ,%&&%.i"' is#ussi%")

a" s%m! %, it .i&& 0! *is %." i"t!r$r!tati%" as a" i"si !r/ I .i&& &!a+! it t% t*! r!a !r)

70%t* a#a !mi# a" $ra#titi%"!r8 t% #riti#is! %r ,i" ,au&t .it* i"t!r$r!tati%"s ) "%"! %,

.*i#* ar! $arti#u&ar&( $r%,%u" /

As a ,%rm %, L!,t-Ha" Pat* %##u&tism) T*!&!ma is a s!t %, 0!&i!,s a" $ra#ti#!s 0%r"

,r%m a tra;!#t%r( s!t 0( t*! H!rm!ti#ism %, t*! R!"aissa"#! a" t*! C!r!m%"ia&

Ma'i# %, 'r%u$s &i ! t*! H!rm!ti# Or !r %, t*! G%& !" Da.") #%m0i"! $!r*a$s .it*

t*! $*i&%s%$*( %, S#*%$!"*aur a" Ni!t #*!/ T*! ,irst T*!&!mi# t!2ts) %r H%&( B%% s

as t*!( ar! "%." .it*i" t*! m%+!m!"t) .!r! .ritt!" %." 0( A&!ist!r Cr%.&!(

75? 6-5 > 8/ T*! #!"tra& t!2t is T*! B%% %, t*! La.) i+er Al 'el egis ,- ! .*i#* s!ts

,%rt* t*! La. %, T*!&!ma) u$%" .*i#* T*!&!mi# $ra#ti#! is 0as! / D!iti!s i"itia&&(

#!"tra& t% T*!&!ma ar! Nuit) Ha it) Ba0a&%") T*!ri%") Ra-H%%r- *uit) H%%r-Paar-

raat a" H!ru-Ra-Ha) Ai.ass a" Pa" 6 J 0ut) as %"! $art %, t*! #!"tra& La. %,

T*!&!ma is t% 1D% .*at t*%u Wi&t1) t*!s! !iti!s #a" 0! s%m! %, ma"() ,%r !2am$&!

t*! V%u %u" $a"t*!%" %r Ga"!s*aKGa"a$ati) .*i#* a T*!&!mit! #*%%s!s t%

i"#%r$%rat! i"t% t*!ir $ra#ti#!s/ T*! #!"tra& t!"!t %, T*!&!ma is t*! $ursui"' %, t*!

' Partridge, 3acred 4hemicals; Psychedelic Dr!gs and >ystical F#perience pg. 115'' /ollo"ing *raham Harvey%s e#ample, 'istening People# (pea)ing Ea th , pp. viii.') Ceca!se many of 4ro"ley%s magic al "ritings "ere given latin names, they sometimes maintainthose titles.

'5 3ee D!G!ette, The Magic) of Thelema pp. - 5. /or the origins of Thelemic practice, and the &asic philosophy and rit!als initially created &y 2leister 4ro"ley, this &oo is very !sef!l, al&eit an insideracco!nt.


18/36

Tru! Wi&& - "%t t*! %r i"ar( .i&& !t!rmi"i"' t*! !2!#uti%" %, +ari%us ai&( !sir!s) 0ut

t*! i" i+i ua& s %." $arti#u&ar %r0it) .*i#* *!K%r s*! is t*!%ris! .it*i" T*!&!ma as

"%t "!#!ssari&( 0!i"' #%"s#i%us %,/ T*is is t*! $aram%u"t $ra#ti#! .it*i" T*!&!mi#

is#%urs!) a" s!!ms !!$&( r!&at! .it* t*! A*!mi#a& i !a %, t*! Gr!at W%r /

W*i&! a&s% %,t!" ta i"' ,r%m t*! s$!#i,i# t!&!%&%'( as us! 0( t*! H!rm!ti# Or !r %,

t*! G%& !" Da.") a" i" Cr%.&!(1s %r'a"isati%" 0as! %" t*at %r !r) t*! Ar'!"t!um

Astrum/ T*is t!&!%&%'( is r%u'*&( t*! ,%&&%.i"'J it s*%u& 0! "%t! *%.!+!r t*at t*is

is"1t !2#&usi+!&( T*!&!mi#) "%r is T*!&!mi# $ra#ti#! !2#&usi+!&( 0%u" u$ .it* t*!

,%&&%.i"': I"itiati%") 'ai"i"' t*! "%.&! '! a" C%"+!rsati%" %, t*! H%&( Guar ia"

A"'!&) a" Cr%ssi"' t*! A0(ss/ I"itiati%" .! *a+! m!"ti%"! ) a" .i&& ,urt*!r

!&i"!at! i" t*! "!2t s!#ti%"/

Wit*i" ma'i#a& $ra#ti#!) T*! "%.&! '! a" C%"+!rsati%" %, t*! H%&( Guar ia"

A"'!& is a $r%#!ss .*!r!0( t*! $ra#titi%"!r 'ai"s a s$!#i,i# s$irit %r 'ui ! .*i#* is

sai t% 0! a&i'"! t% t*!m at 0irt*) 0ut ri'i %'ma r!'ar i"' t*is is "%"-!2ist!"t) as

.it* ma"( !&!m!"ts .it*i" m% !r" %##u&tism) $!rs%"a& i"t!r$r!tati%" a" a"a&(sis is

!"#%ura'! / P!t!r Carr%& 'i+!s t*! ,%&&%.i"' %" t*! im$%rta"#! %, t*is $r%#!ss t% t*!

ma'i# a& $at*: 4T*! ma'i#ia" s m%st im$%rta"t i"+%#ati%" is t*at %, *is G!"ius)

Da!m%") Tru! Wi&&) %r Au'%!i !s/ T*is %$!rati%" is tra iti%"a&&( "%." as attai"i"'

t*! "%.&! '! a" C%"+!rsati%" %, t*! H%&( Guar ia" A"'!&/ It is s%m!tim!s "%."

as t*! Ma'"um O$us %r Gr!at W%r /9 @ It .i&& $r%0a0&( 0! "%t! t*at i" T*!&!ma) t*!

s$!#i,i# Ma'"um O$usKGr!at W%r is #%"#!r"! .it* t*! a&i'"i"' %, t*! $!rs%"a&it(

.it* t*! Tru! Wi&&) a" t*! %$!rati%" %, t*! "%.&! '! a" C%"+!rsati%" %, t*! H%&(

Guar ia" A"'!& is) ,%r s%m!) m!r!&( a" ai t%.ar s t*is $r%#!ss - ,%r %t*!rs) it is t*!

$r%#!ss its!&,/ T*! $arti#u&ar t!rmi"%&%'( is ta !" ,%rm The )oo# of the "acred Magic

of A+ramelin the Mage ) 0ut t*! $ra#ti#! *as s(m0%&i# $%ssi0&! .it* t*! $r%#!ss %,

'+ 4arrol, 'ibe *ull and Psychonaut , pg. ) .


19/36

a# uiri"' a Daim%" i" A"#i!"t Gr!! ma'i# ) .*i#* .as its!&, s!!" as a m! iat%r

0!t.!!" t*! *uma" a" t*! i+i"! ? / T*! $ra#ti#! is 0!&i!+! t% a&i'" t*! $ra#titi%"!r

.it* !2#&usi+! s!ts %, "%.&! '! a" $%.!rs) %t*!r.is! t*%u'*t t% 0! u"attai"a0&!)

a" !ss!"tia& ,%r t*! #%m$&!ti%" %, t*! 'r!at .%r /

T*! Cr%ssi"' %, t*! A0(ss is a $r%#!ss .*!r!0( t*! ma'i#ia" !"t!rs i"t% a 0!&i!,

.*!r! t*!( surr!" !r i !"tit( a" 0!#%m! #%"s#i%us&( s!$arat! ,r%m t*! i !a %, t*!ir

#%r! i !"tit( / T*! A0(ss is !s#ri0! as a r!'i%" 0!t.!!" t*! ua&it( %,

ma"i,!stati%") a" t*! u"it( %, $ur!) u" i+i ! ) 0!i"'/ T% #r%ss t*! A0(ss is t*!" t%

arri+! at a stat! %, #%"s#i%us a$$r!*!"si%" %, t*! u"it( %, a&& t*i"'s a" t*! "%"-

i !"ti,i#ati%" .it* t*! s!&+!s .*i#* ar! #r!at! t*r%u'* t*! $r%$%s! ia&!#ti#s %,

ma"i,!stati%"/ It .i&& *a+! 0!#%m! #&!ar ,r%m t*is !s#ri$ti%" t*at t*! i !a %, a #!"tra&

s!&, is "%t #%"'ru!"t .it* a&& ,%rms %, %##u&t $ra#ti#!/ T*!r! is t*! #%mm%" usa'! %, a

i+isi%" %, 0% i!s) ,%r i"sta"#! t*! E'($tia" iss!#ti%" %, t*! *uma" 0!i"' i"t% t*!

Ba) t*! a) t*! H! a a" A *) .it* +ari%us &!+!&s %, $*(si#a& !"sit( i"-0!t.!!" > /

T*! T*!%s%$*i#a& t($! i+isi%" %, t*! 0% ( i"t% P*(si#a&) Astra&) Et*!ri#) a" s$iritua&

%r !+!" i"t% Su&$*ur) Sa&t a" M!r#ur() ar! a&s% 'i+!" s$a#!/ T*!s! ar! $r!s!"t! )

*%.!+!r) usua&&( as ma$s a" m% !&s t% 0! !+!"tua&&( is#ar ! ) a" t*!r! s!!ms a

#%mm%" ! i#t .it*i" O##u&t $ra#ti#!) 0ut $arti#u&ar&( L!,t Ha" ! %##u&tism) "%t t%

1#%",us! t*! ma$ .it* t*! t!rrit%r(/1 >5

A"%t*!r im$%rta"t as$!#t %, T*!&!mi# $*i&%s%$*() i"t!'ra& t% t*is $arti#u&ar

is#ussi%") is t*! i !a %, t*! si2 A!%"s) $!ri% s %, tim! #*ara#t!ris! 0( isti"#t

s%#ia& a" #u&tura& $r%#!ss!s .*i#* #*ara#t!ris! *ist%r( a" t*! ,utur!) simi&ar 0ut

"%t i !"ti#a& t% t*! Astr%&%'i#a& $!ri% s) !/'/ T*! A'! %, Pis#!s) a" t*! A'! %,

' 3ee /lo"ers, "e metic Magic , pg. 1 for a process analogo!s "ith the $ no"ledge and4onversation of the Holy *!ardian 2ngel.' 6!c , A cana Mundi# pg.1+'.

' 7ema, Maat Magic) , pg. 1.)0 /lo"ers, "e metic Magic , pps. '- .)1 H!mphries and ain, *T&I$$M , pg. 1' -1'


20/36

A uarius/ S$!#i,i# t% %ur is#ussi%" ar! t*! A!%"s %, H%rus a" t*! A!%"s %, Maat/

Ea#* A!%") ,r%m t*! ,irst t% t*! ,i,t* *a+! E'($tia" !iti!s attri0ut! t% t*!m) !2#!$t

,%r t*! si2t*) t*! .%r &!ss a" si&!"t A!%" %, ai" - .*i#* is 'i+!" a &!tt!r %, t*!

H!0r!. A&$*a0!t >=/ It is t*!%ris! t*at T*! A!%" %, H%rus .as *!ra& ! 0( t*!

i#tati%" %, t*! B%% %, t*! La. t% A&!ist!r Cr%.&!( i" 5 > > / T*! A!%" %, H%rus)

a&s% r!,!rr! t% as t*! A!%" %, t*! Cr%."! a" C%" u!ri"' C*i& ) is #*ara#t!ris!

0( t*! 0r!a i"' %." %, %& s%#ia& %r !rs !" !mi# t% t*! A!%" %, Osiris 0!,%r! it) %,

t*! ,r!! %m a" &i0!rati%" %, t*! *uma" s$!#i!s ,r%m) i" $art) t*! 3u !%-C*ristia"

$ara i'm 7*!"#!) $!r*a$s) t*! $%$u&ar $r!s!"tati%" %, A&!ist!r Cr%.&!( as a

sata"ist8) Matriar#*( a" Patriar#*(/ T*! A!%" %, Maat is t*! A!%" %, Trut*) 3usti#!

a" Ba&a"#!) .*!r! it is $%sit! t*! *uma" s$!#i!s r!a#*!s a '!sta&t

#%"s#i%us"!ss) s$!#i,i#a&&( r!,!rr! t% as a %u0&!-#%"s#i%us"!ss) .*!r! t*!

s$!#i!s is u"i,i! i"t% %"! mi" ) .*i&! mai"tai"i"' a s!"s! %, i" i+i ua&it(/ C!"tra& t%

t*! &att!r A!%" is t*! !it( N1at%" >>) .*% is $r!s!"t! as a" a" r%'!"%us 0!i"'

#r!at! 0( t*! #%&&!#ti+! #%"s#i%us"!ss %, t*! *uma" s$!#i!s/

A $arti#u&ar m%+!m!"t .it*i" T*!&!mi# ma'i# is #%"#!r"! .it* T*! A!%" %, Maat/

I" 5 >) Ma''i! I"'a&s .as #%"ta#t! 0( t*! 0!i"' #a&&i"' its!&, N1at%" >6/ T*is !it(

$ur$%rt! &( s$% ! ,r%m t*! ,utur!) i#tati"' a"%t*!r T*!&!mi# 1H%&( B%% 1 t% I"'a&&s

#a&&! Li0!r P!""a! Pr!"um0ra) T*! B%% %, T*! Pr!s*a %.i"' %, t*! F!at*!r >@/

Si"#! t*at at!) Ma''i! I"'a&&s a" %t*!rs *a+! 0!!" i"strum!"ta& i" s$!ar*!a i"')

a" $!r*a$s #r!ati"') a "!. m%+!m!"t .it*i" T*!&!mi# #u&tur! t*at is #%"#!r"!

.it* a 1 %u0&! #urr!"t1) !"#%m$assi"' t*! $arti#u&ar !"!r'i!s a" i !a&s) t*!

#urr!"ts1 %, 0%t* t*! A!%"s %, H%rus a" Maat) $%siti"' t*at t*! A!%"s #a" !2ist

) D!G!ette in The Magic) of Thelema gives a good ro!nd-!p of these ideas on pgs.+-1+, "ithdisc!ssion of the 2eons of =sis, :siris and Hor!s ho"ever, s!&seG!ent Thelemites, nota&ly enneth*rant and >aat >agic ians, have added to these - the 2eons of Ces ?the firstA, >aat and the final 2eonof


21/36

0!si !s %r .it*i" !a#* %t*!r i, t*! $ra#titi%"!r .a"ts t*!m t% > / It is t*! D%u0&!-

Curr!"t t*at t*! H%rus-Maat L% '! ar! $arti#u&ar&( #%"#!r"! .it*) a" t*at t*!

$r!s!"t aut*%r .as i"itiat! i"t% i" Ma( %, = 6/

INITIATION

Pr!s!"t! i" t*is s!#ti%"s a $!rs%"a& a##%u"t %, t*is aut*%r1s i"itiati%" i"t% t*! H%rus-

Maat L% '!/ T*%u'* I *a+! att!m$t! t% a %$t a" %utsi !r +i!. ,%r t*! $r!#! i"'

is#ussi%"s 7*%. su##!ss,u&&( $r%0a0&( u!sti%"a0&!8 I .i&& ta ! %,, m( %utsi !r *at

a&t%'!t*!r u"ti& I !#%"stru#t t*! !+!"t) is#ussi"' t*!" t*! $!#u&iar $r%0&!ms %,

%i"' s%) a" $r!s!"t m(s!&, t% m(s!&, as a" !t*"%'ra$*i# su0;!#t/ As m!"ti%"! )

t*is a$$r%a#* is m% !&&! u$%" $ine Worlds of "eid%Magic 0( 3!""( B&ai"/ T*!

$arti#u&ar issu!s %, a" I"si !r 'i+i"' a" a##%u"t %, t*!ir r!&i'i%sit( a" i"t!r$r!ti"' it

,%r %utsi !rs) .as s%m!t*i"' .*i#* ar'ua0&( t*! Stu ( %, R!&i'i%"s) .*!" ,irst

#%"stru#t! as a "!. is#i$&i"! a$art ,r%m T*!%&%'() .as #r!at! t% a+%i >?/ But

%,t!") t*! %"&( $!%$&! i"t!r!st! i" stu (i"' Es%t!ri# tra iti%"s ar! t*! Es%t!ri#ists

t*!ms!&+!s) *!"#! t*! *u'! +%&um! %, i"si !r mat!ria& $r!s!"t! as a#a !mi# .%r /

P!r*a$s) ,%r t*! Outsi !r .*!" 'a i"' i"t% t*at $arti#u&ar .%r& ) t*!r! is "%t*i"' t%

s!! - .*!r!as ,%r t*! i"si !r) t*!r! is a #%m$&!2 &ati#! %, mat!ria& a" $*!"%m!"a

t*at !s!r+!s a"a&(sis/ O"! #%u& ar'u! t*%u'*) t*at ,%r t*! i"si !r %, a r!&i'i%" t%

$r!s!"t a" a#a !mi# stu ( %, t*at r!&i'i%") t*! $r%0&!m is t*! sam! ,%r t*!

s%#i%&%'ist &%% i"' '!"!ra&&( at 1s%#i!t(1- at "% $%i"t is t*! s%#i%&%'ist a$art ,r%m

s%#i!t() t*!( ar! a&.a(s a" i"si !r) 0ut *a+! 0!!" ! ui$$! !s$!#ia&&( .it* a t%%&0%2

%, m!t*% %&%'i!s .it* .*i#* t*!( #a" stu ( .*at t*!( ar! a&.a(s a $art %,) a" t*!(

*a+! #r!at! a .*%&! is#i$&i"! t*r%u'* .*at #%u& 0! i"t!r$r!t! as i"si !r

) 3ee enneth *rant%s introd!ction to 7ema%s Maat Magic) , pgs. #-#i.) 3ee 7inian 3mart%s fore"ard to App oaches to The (tudy of Religions , pps. i#-#.


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is#%urs!/

I" a stu ( %, t*! "atur! %, !ti# a" !mi# $!rs$!#ti+!s) !""!t* L/ Pi ! ma !s t*!

,%&&%.i"' $%i"ts $!rti"!"t t% t*is is#ussi%": 4I" t*! t%ta& a"a&(sis %, a s(st!m ) t*!

i"itia& !ti# !s#ri$ti%" 'ra ua&&( is r!,i"! ) a" is u&timat!&( - i" $ri"#i$&!) 0ut $r%0a0&(

"!+!r i" $ra#ti#! - r!$&a#! 0( %"! .*i#* is t%ta&&( !mi#/9 > A$$&i! t% Stu ( %,

R!&i'i%"s) t*is im$&i!s t*at t*! i"si !r is a0&! t% +i!. t*! .*%&! s(st!m %, a r!&i'i%")

r!&ati"' it t% t*!ir %." "%.&! '!) a" 0!i"' a0&! t% #r!at! t*!r!,r%m a *%&isti# +i!./

P!r*a$s t*!") 0!#aus! %, t*! #%m$&!2iti!s i" u#! i" #%"t!m$%rar( s$iritua&it!s) a"

i"si !rK!mi# $!rs$!#ti+! is a m%r! !,,i#i!"t t%%& - .*!r! ,%r t*! %utsi !r) t*! s(st!ms

s!!m %+!r&( #%m$&!2 a" im$!"!tra0&!/ Fr%m m( %." $!rs$!#ti+!) t*! 'r!at!st

#*a&&!"'! $r!s!"t! t% t*! i"si !r s!!ms t% 0! t*! usa'! %, &a"'ua'!/ I" t*is stu () I

*a+! ma ! #!rtai" #ar!,u& assum$ti%"s/ O"! %, .*i#*) #!"tra& t% m( .*%&!

m!t*% %&%'() is t*at m( %." %##u&t $ra#ti#! s!r+!s as a ,u"#ti%"a& r!,!r!"#! $%i"t t%

!s#ri0! t*! .i !r ,i!& %, %t*!r $!%$&!s %##u&t $ra#ti#!) t*r%u'* t*! $!r$!tua&

r!,!r!"#! t% m( %." !2$!ri!"#! %, %t*!r $ra#titi%"!r s !2$!ri!"#!) a" t*! 0%% s

t*!( .rit! - t*! $arts %, %ur) %r $!r*a$s t*!irs a" m() $ra#ti#!s .*i#* I !it*!r &!ar"

,r%m %r am a0&! t% i" s%m! .a( i !"ti,( .it*) !it*!r i" $art %r .*%&!/ I" t*is r!'ar ) I

*a+! 0!!" #ar!,u& .*!r! "!#!ssar( "%t t% us! %"t%&%'i#a& a0s%&ut!s) su#* as is %r

a&.a(s %r a&& / N%t*i"' $arti#u&ar&( ua&i,i!s m! ,%r t*is) 0ut as a" i"si !r) I $!r*a$s

"atura&&( ,!!& as i, I s*%u& 0! a0&! t% 'i+! a ,air !s#ri$ti%" %, m( %." s$iritua&it()

.*i&! ma i"' r!,!r!"#!) .*!r! r!m!m0!r! a" "%t! t*at it is $r%0a0&( "!! ! ) t%

t*! a#a !mi# is#i$&i"! %, Stu ( %, R!&i'i%"s .*i#* I *a+! 0!!" i"tr% u#! t% a"

s%m!tim!s imm!rs! i" ,%r t*! $ast t*r!! (!ars/ I *a+! 0!!" a $ra#tisi"' %##u&tist ,%r

&%"'!r) t*%u'*) $!r*a$s #ausi"' a "atura& im0a&a"#!) "% matt!r *%. #ar!,u&) 0!t.!!"

t*! t($! %, !s#ri$ti%"s I +! 'i+!"/ It s*%u& $!r*a$s 0! "%t! *!r! t*at I *a+!

att!m$t! "%t t% r!'ar t*! $arti#u&ar a#a !mi# +i!.$%i"t $r!s!"t! as a" %utsi !r

) enneth 6. Pi e, Ftic and Fmic 3tandpoints for the Description of Cehavio!r , pg. '0.


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+i!.$%i"t) s$&itti"' m(s!&, i" t.% 0!t.!!" Outsi !rKA#a !mi# a" I"si !rKPra#titi%"!r/

I +! tri! t% mai"tai" a" ! ua& 0a&a"#! %, 0%t* .*!r! a$$r%$riat!/ As m!"ti%"!

a0%+!) t*!r! is t*! #%"t!"ti%" t*at a,t!r su##!ssi+! $!ri% s %, imm!rsi%" stu (i"' a

s(st!m) t*! %utsi !r !+!"tua&&( 0!#%m!s a" i"si !r - t*! r!+!rs! is tru! i" m(

$arti#u&ar #as!/

It is *%$! t*at t*is a##%u"t .i&& a a"%t*!r &!"s t% t*! a##umu&ati"' ,ra#ta& m!ta-

"arrati+! %, #%"t!m$%rar( s$iritua&it!s/ W*i#* is t% sa() t*! .i ! +ari!t( %,

#%"t!m$%rar( s$iritua&it!s) a" t*!ir a#a !mi# stu i!s) r!mai" st%ri!s !+!" i" t*!ir

a#a !mi# #%"t!2t - t*! $%st-m% !r" ass!rti%" t*at a&& "arrati+!s ar! !a 7r!,/8 is a

"arrati+! .it*i" its!&,) a" im$&% !s as a #%"#!$t %" a #&%s! r!a i"'/ T*! r!s$%"s! t%

t*is must 0! *%. .! #*%%s! t% r!a !a#* st%r() *%. .! #&assi,( it a" !#% !) a"

$!r*a$s s%m!tim!s r!-#% !) it s m!a"i"'/ A" a##umu&ati+! st%r() ma ! u$ %, t*!

i" i+i ua& +i!.$%i"ts %, +ari%us i"si !rs %, +ari%us #%mmu"iti!s) is $!r*a$s t*! 0!st

.a( ,%r a #&!ar $i#tur! %, #%"t!m$%rar( s$iritua&iti!s t% 0! %0s!r+! ) 0!#aus! as *as

0!!" is#uss! ) t*! $!rs%"a& "atur! %, t*!s! r!&i'i%siti!s !$!" s u$%" t*!

$arti#i$ati%" %, t*! i" i+i ua& i" $arti#u&ar rat*!r t*a" t*! #%mmu"it( at &ar'!)

0!#aus! %, t*! s%m!tim!s .i ! +ariati%"s t*at #a" %##ur i" t*!%r( a" $ra#ti#! ,r%m

%"! i"si !r t% a"%t*!r/ H!r! ,%&&%.s t*!") a s*%rt a##%u"t %, .*at 0!i"' a ma'i#ia" is

a" .*at it m!a"s t% t*! $ra#titi%"!r as a" !2$r!ssi%" %, $!rs%"a& r!&i'i%sit() &!a i"'

i"t% a" a##%u"t %, i"itiati%" i"t% t*! H%rus-Maat L% '!/

INITIATION

O##u&tism *as 0!!" a $!rs%"a& s$iritua& a +!"tur!/ T*! (!ar"i"' ,%r

#%mmu"it( *as 0!!" #%"sist!"t si"#! is#%+!ri"' t*! %##u&tism s $r!s!"#! i"


24/36

#(0!r-s$a#!) .*!" I .as 5 %r = / T*!r! .as a "!! ,%r 0!i"' tau'*t) ,%r

0!i"' s*%." t*i"'s) rat*!r t*a" ,um0&! ar%u" i" t*! ar 0( (%urs!&,/ T*!r!

is a&s% t*! "!! ,%r r!i",%r#!m!"t/ Part %, t*! $r%#!ss %, 0!#%mi"' a ritua&

ma'i#ia" is %+!r#%mi"' t*! $!#u&iar !m0arrassm!"t %, ma i"' stra"'!

s%u" s a" '!stur!s i" a #ir#&! at a$$ar!"t&( ima'i"a0&! !iti!s/ T*%u'* I

0!!" i"+%&+! i" a s!&,-i"itiat%r( $at*) I *a " t 'i+!" u$ %" t*! i !a %, 0!i"'

i"itiat! i"t% s%m!t*i"' 0( s%m!0% ( !&s!/ As a" %##u&tist) t*!r! is t*!

$!r+asi+! ,!!&i"' %, 0!i"' a" Outis !r) t*at *as 0!!" $r!s!"t .it* m(s!&, &%"'

0!,%r! t*! 0!'i""i"'s %, O##u&t $ra#ti#!/ I a&.a(s ,%u" it ,as#i"ati"' t*at

%t*!r %##u&tists #%rr%0%rat! t*is !2$!ri!"#! - t*! ri+! t% 0!&%"' is %,t!" a"

%+!r$%.!ri"' %"!) a" $!r*a$s a sta" ar m%ti+ati%" ,%r 0!i"' i"itiat! i"t% a

$arti#u&ar #%mmu"it(/

I +! mai"tai"! a 0!&i!, i" t*! im$%rta"#! %, 0%t* i" s %, i"itiati%"/

S(m0%&i# i"itiati%") .*!r! a $arti#u&ar #!r!m%"( %r ritua& is $!r,%rm! i" %r !r

t% i"tr% u#! t*! $ra#titi%"!r t% !it*!r a 'r%u$ %r a #!rtai" s!t %, i !as - a "!.

0!&i!, s(st!m) %r a ma'i# a& #urr!"t/ But t*! m%st im$%rta"t $r%#!ss) as a"(

ma'i#ia" .%u& $r%0a0&( a'r!!) is s!&,-i"itiati%") a" t*! $arti#u&ar 7a"

$!#u&iar8 %r !a&s t*at a ma'i#ia" mi'*t ,i" t*!ms!&+!s '%i"' t*r%u'*)

&!ar"i"' #ur+!s .*%s! m!a"i"' is *!i'*t!"! a" i"t!"si,i! u! t% t*!

$arti#u&ar #% !s a" 0!*a+i%urs t*! ma'i#ia" a %$ts i" r!s$%"s! t% t*!

u"i+!rs!/ Oat*s ar! +!r( %,t!" im$%rta"t $arts %, t*is $r%#!ss/

M( i"itiati%" i"t% t*! H%rus-Maat &% '! .as "%t su''!st! 0( m!/ I *a

0!!" .%r i"' .it* t*! %u0&! #urr!"t %, H%rus-Maat ,%r a #%u$&! %, (!ars)

*a+i"' 0!!" .%r i"' .it* T*!&!ma ,%r ;ust a0%ut t*! sam! am%u"t %, tim!/

S!2ua& m(st!ri!s a" u" a&i"i (%'a *a 0!#%m! %, $aram%u"t im$%rta"#! i"

m( %." s$iritua& $at*) a" t*! stra"'! $r%#!ss %, C*ristia" !-#%" iti%"i"'

*a 0!!" 'ra ua&&( %##urri"') 0!#%mi"' s!$arat! ,r%m t*! r!&i'i%" I .as

rais! .it* a" i"+!rti"' t*! $arts %, m(s!&, !t!rmi"! 0( t*! C*ristia"

$ara i'm/ F%r m!) t*is is $art %, .*at t*! A!%" %, H%rus is a&& a0%ut) a" t*!

#%";%i"! !"!r'i!s %, t*! A!%" %, Maat) i" m( %." $ra#ti#!) s!r+!s t% 0a&a"#!


25/36

%ut t*! !stru#ti+!K#%"stru#ti+! 1,%r#! a" ,ir!1 %, H%rus) ui# !"i"' a"

sta0i&isi"' t*! $r%#!ss %, #*a"'! ,r%m %"! $ara i'm t% a"%t*!r/

I" &at! A$ri& = 6 I $&a(! *%st t% t*! Ma'usKF%%& =K !'r!! i" t*!

Or !r %+ C*a%s) .*i#* I *a i"itiat! m(s!&, i"t% ar%u" a (!ar !ar&i!r)

s("#*r%"is! .it* %t*!r i"itiati%"s %##urri"' ar%u" t*! '&%0!/ W! .!r!

$arti#i$ati"' i" t*! Om$*a&%s Ma'i# a& Art Fair i" Bat*/ Orr(!&&! *as 0!!"

i"+%&+! .it* t*! H%rus-Maat &% '! ,%r s%m! tim!/ A&%"' .it* *ir s i&&s as a

$!r,%rm!r) $ai"t!r) $%!t .rit!r a" s%r#!r!r Orr(!&&! is a&s% a tatt%%ist/ I *a

!armar ! *ir ,%r m( ,irst tatt%% s%m! tim! a'%) s!!i"' t*! i"s#ri$ti%" %, m(

,&!s* as a '%% s(m0%&i# '!stur! %, ! i#ati%" t% t*! %u0&!-#urr!"t %, H%rus-

Maat/ Orr(!&&! as ! i,) $ri%r t% t*! tatt%% .*i&! .! .!r! i" G&ast%"0ur(

t%'!t*!r) I .%u& &i ! t% 0! i"itiat! i"t% t*! H%rus-Maat &% '!/ I a'r!! )

t*i" i"' t*at .as $r%0a0&( a '%% i !a/ G&ast%"0ur( T%r *a $&a(! *%st t%

a"%t*!r #%u$&! %, i"itiati%"s i"t% t*! &% '! i" = ) a" a&s% t*! 5 t* Tri0!

.!a+i"') a ritua& Orr(!&&! ma"i,!st! 7u" !r t*! 'ui a"#! %, t*! S!#r!t C*i!,s)

%, #%urs!8 t% !art* t*! %u0&! #urr!"t %, H%rus-Maat i"t% t*! $&a"!tar( H!art-

C*a ra) a" *!&$ 0ri"' a0%ut t*! '&%0a& #*a"'!s "!#!ssar( ,%r a #&!a" s*i,t

i"t% a "!. !ra) %r a "!. .%r& %r !r) #%m! D!#!m0!r = 5=/ I1 "!+!r

u" !r'%"! a $*(si#a& %"! %" %"! i"itiati%" 0!,%r!) a" I .!%m! t*!

%$$%rtu"it( ,%r t*! !2$!ri!"#!) a&%"' .it* m( 'ra ua& !m!r'!"#! i"t%

ass%#iati%" .it* %t*!r %##u&tists a" ritua& ma'i# ia"s ar%u" t*! '&%0!)

0!'u" .it* i"itiati%" i"t% t*! Or !r %+ C*a%s) a" #%"ti"u! s%m!.*at 0(

Orr(!&&! a" I i"itiati"' a #%u$&! i"t% t*at %r !r t*! .!! 0!,%r! - I *a

0!#%m! i"itiat%r) .*i#* .as s(m0%&i#a&&( im$%rta"t) s% I t*%u'*t it .as %"&(

ri'*t t*at I 0a&a"#! t*at %ut) .it* t*! s#a&!s %, Maat) 0( 0!#%mi"' t*!

i"itiat! /

W! ma ! %ur .a( u$ t*! T%r) a,t!r s#%uti"' %ut ar!as ,%r t*! $%ssi0&!

$!r,%rma"#! %, a ritua& t*!atr! $i!#! Orr(!&&! !+is! ar%u" Par#i+a& ,%r t*!

#%mi"' 3u"!) s$!" i"' a &itt&! tim! siti"' %" a r%# .! &at!r ,%u" %ut .as

#a&&! t*! s!at $!ri&%us/ T*!r! .!r! s%m! $!%$&! ar%u" t*! t%$) $&a(i"'


26/36

,&ut!s) a" %t*!rs .a& i"' u$ a" %."/ Orr(!&&! as ! m! i, I .a"t! t% .ait

ti&& t*!( .!r! #&!ar) 0ut I .a"t! t% $r!ss %" .it* it/ W! s!&!#t! t*! s$%t

.*!r! t*! 5 t* Tri0! W!a+i"' *a 0!!" $!r,%rm! a&m%st t.% (!ars 0!,%r!) I

.as as ! t% 0! s!at! a" $r%#!! .it* a&t!r"at! "%stri& 0r!at*i"') a

$ra"a(ama t!#*"i u! t*at ai s t*! mi" t% '% i"t% tra"#!) 0a&a"#i"' %ut t*!

0rai" *!mis$*!r!s a" !"#%ura'i"' t*!m t% #%";%i") as %$$%s! t% s.it#*

0!t.!!" t*! %mi"a"#! %, %"! a" t*! %t*!r/ I sat i" t*! ra'%" s!t $%stur!)

t% !!$ m( s$i"! strai'*t a" m( mu&a *ara #*a ra #&%s! t% t*! !art*) i"

%r !r t% a&&%. t*! ,ir!-s!r$!"t u" a&i"i a #&!a" ,&%. u$ a" %." m( s$i"!

a" i"t% t*! !art* s*%u& s*! .is* t% u"#%i& a" r!a#* ,%r t*! stars/ It .as

us ) a" .it* t*! su" &%.!ri"' its!&, i"t% !!$!r a" !!$!r r! %" t*!

*%ri %") I #&%s! m( !(!s .*i&! Orr(!&&! %$!"! t*! #ir#&! .it* t*! si2-,%&

0a"is*i"' ritua& %, Maatia" Ma'i# ) t% simu&ta"!%us&( #&!ar t*! i"itiat%r( s$a#!)

#%"s!#rat! it) a" *a+! t*! si2 !iti!s B!s) Osiris) Isis) Maat) H%rus a"

Har$%r#rat $r!s!"t t% .at#* t*! ri'*t/

Wit* !(!s #&%s! i" t*! ra'%" $%stur!) Orr(!&&! #ir#&! m!)

a&t!r"at!&( #&%# .is! a" a"it-#&%# .is!) i"t%"i"' t*! sa#r! "am!s %, t*!

D!iit!s .*% $r!si ! .it*i" t*! D%u0&!-Curr!"t) a" "am!s I i "Jt r!#%'"is!)

.*i#* I &at!r is#%+!r! .!r! t*! "am!s %, t*! 'uar ia"s %, t*! tu""!&ss %,

s!t) t*! "i'*tsi ! $at*s %, t*! tr!! %, &i,!) ,%r as t*! A!%" %, Maat is t*! A!%"

%, Trut*) 3usti#! a" Ba&a"#!) I must 0! i"itiat! i"t% t*! Da(si ! %, t*!

U"i+!rs! as .!&& as t*! Ni'*tsi !) t*! Li'*t a" t*! S*a %.) t*! $%siti+#!s

a" "!'ati+!s/ T*! rit! #u&mi"at! .it* t*! massa'i"' %, m( #r%." #*a ra

.*i&! i"t%"i"' t*! sa#r! "am! N1at%") #%"s!#rati"' m( #%"s#i%us"!ss i"t%

t*! ,utur!-as-"%.-!m!r'i"' %u0&! #%"s#i%us"!ss %, t*! *uma" ra#!/ A" m(

!(!s .!r! %$!"! / I .as a m!m0!r %, t*! H%rus-Maat &% '!) i,,!r!"t t*a" I

.as .*!" I1 sat %." 0!,%r! t*! rit! 0!'a") .it* a "!. ,!!&i"' %,

!2$a"si+!"!ss) %, %$!""!ss t% t*! u"i+!rs!/ I '%t u$) 'a+! Orr(!&&! a *u')

a" .! !+!"tua&&( ma ! %ur .a( %." t*! T%r t% '!t a #urr(/


27/36

ANALYSIS

O, imm! iat! i"t!r!st t% t*! !t*"%'ra$*!r %, #%"t!m$%rar( s$iritua&it!s is $!r*a$s

t*! &%#ati%" %, G&ast%"0ur( as #*%i#! ,%r t*! rit! !s#ri0! a0%+!/ G&ast%"0ur( *as

0!!" %0s!r+! as a $arti#u&ar sit! ,%r a s$!#trum %, i,,!r!"t $ra#titi%"!rs) ,r%m N!%-

$a'a" tra iti%"s) N!. A'! s$iritua&it!s) C!&ti# C*ristia"it( a" !+!" m%r! sta" ar

,%rms %, C*ristia" r!&i'i%sit( 6 / T*at t*! ma'i#ia"s i" u!sti%" s*%u& r!'ar t*is sit!

as im$%rta"t) $!r*a$s &i" s i" t*is $arti#u&ar ma"i,!stati%" %, %##u&t $ra#ti#! a"

0!&i!, .it* N!. A'! s$iritua&it!s/ Li !.is!) t*! i !a %, N1at%") a !it( s$!a i"' ,r%m

t*! ,utur! i"t% t*! $ast is a isti"#t&( "!. a'! #%"#!$t) as is t*! i !a %, a" A!%" %,

Trut*) 3usti#! a" Ba&a"#! - a *arm%"i%us tim! ,%r t*! !+%&+i"' #%"s#i%us"!ss %, t*!

*uma" s$!#i!s $!r*a$s a"a&%'%us) as is t*! A!%" %, H%rus) .it* t*! i !as %, a"

A uaria" a'!/ N%t! a&s% is t*! m!"ti%" %, = 5= as a at! %, si'"i,i#a"#!/ T*is at!

is !ri+! ,r%m #!rtai" #%"si !rati%"s %, Ma(a" #a&!" ri#s) a" is t*! !" %, t*!

Ma(a" #a&!" ar) si'"i,(i"' t% s%m! t*! $%ssi0&! !" %, t*! .%r& ) %r at &!ast a s*i,t i"

*uma" #%"s#i%us"!ss/ M%r! $arti#u&ar r!a i"'s %, t*is at! i"+%&+! a 0!&i!, i" t*!

s*i,ti"' %, t*! $%&ariti!s %, t*! Eart*/ T*! %u0&! #urr!"t %, H%rus-Maat is $arti#u&ar&(

#%"#!r"! .it* t*! *arm%"isi"' %, $%&ariti!s i"t% a t*ir $ri"#i$&! #%m$%s! %, 0%t*)

'&($*! t*r%u'* t*! !m!r'!"#! %, t*! !it( Hruma#*is) a "am! m!"ti%"! i" t*! rit!

a0%+!) .*% is a" a" r%'("%us ,i'ur!) t*! u"iti"' %, t*! ma&! a" t*! ,!ma&!/ T*!

ritua& its!&, a$$!ars sim$&! t% t*! i"itiat! ) t*%u'* a0&! t% $!r#!i+! t*! +ari%us &a(!rs

%, its s(m0%&ism/ W*at is %##urri"' i" t*! mi" a" 0% ( %, t*! i"itiat%r) Orr(!&&!) is

50 Co"man, >ore of the sameI 4hristianity, ernac!lar 9eligion and 2lternative 2pirit!ality in*laston&!ry, pps. '- 5, and (or , 2lternative 3pirit!ality in F!rope; 2msterdam, 2!ps and Cath,

pg. 11 ..


28/36

%0s#ur! t*r%u'* t*! a0s!"#! %, *is %." a##%u"t %, t*! rit!/

T% r!tur" t% t*! $arti#u&ar arti#&!s ,irst m!"ti%"! i" t*! $ara'ra$* a0%+!) m!"ti%"

.as ma ! i" a" !ar&i!r $art %, t*is $a$!r t*at N!. A'! a" Pa'a"ism ar! stu i!

$!r*a$s t% t*! !2#&usi%" %, O##u&tism i" its %." ri'*t as a #%"t!m$%rar( s$iritua&it()

0ut as #a" 0! %0s!r+! ,r%m t*! a0%+! a##%u"t) a r!a i"' t*at $arta !s %, t*!

$arti#u&ar !,i"iti%"s %, .*at #%"stitut!s N!. A'!) a" .*at #%"stitut!s Pa'a"ism)

#a" !m!r'! at s%m! ,ruit,u& s!"s! %, .*at is %##urri"' i" t*! a##%u"t/ A s$!#i,i#

$a"t*!%" %, !iti!s) a 0!&i!, i" a ,utur! tim! %, *arm%"( 7!+!" i, t*at ,utur! tim! is

0!i"' #%"s#i%us&( ma"i,!st! i" t*! $r!s!"t8) #*a"ti"' sa#r! "am!s a" t*!

a.ar!"!ss %, C*a ras) !art*i"' !"!r'i!s a" u" a&i"i) *a+! a&& 0!!" %0s!r+! as

ma i"' u$ .*at #%"stitut!s i" s%m! r!s!ar#*!rs $ar&a"#! a N!. A'! s$iritua&it(/ T*!

$arti#u&ar a+!rsi%" t*at ritua& ma'i#ia"s *a+! at #%"si !ri"' t*!ms!&+!s as N!. A'!

is $!r*a$s a m%%t $%i"t i, a $r%$!r a$$&i#ati%" %, t*! H!rm!"!uti#s %, Sus$i#i%" is t%

0! us! / R!'ar &!ss %, .*at i"si !rs r!'ar t*!ms!&+!s as) a#a !mi#s s*%u&

$!r*a$s ,!!& ,r!! a" u"%0&i'at! i" t*!ir %." i"t!r$r!tati%" a" a"a&(sis %, .*at

t*!( s!! t% 0! %##urri"' i" a $arti#u&ar r!&i'i%sit(/ T*%u'* it *as 0!!" !m%"strat!

t*at t*! N!. A'! m%+!m!"t is a $arti#u&ar %ut'r%.t* %, !+!&%$m!"t i" t*! W!st!r"

Es%t!ri# Tra iti%") $%ssi0&( #%m0i"! ) as !m%"strat! 0( Mi#*a!& Y%r ) .it* t*!

!+!&%$m!"t %, N!. T*%u'*t i" t*! &at!r *a&, %, t*! 5 t* C!"tur() it ma( 0! t*at

t*!s! i,,!r!"t s$iritua&it!s a" #urr!"ts %, t*%u'*t a" $ra#ti#! "%. ,!! %,, !a#*

%t*!r a" #r%ss-$%&&i"at!/ A"%t*!r #*ara#t!risti# .*i#* ma( *a+! 0!!" %0s!r+! is

t*! t!" !"#( ,%r t*! %##u&tist t% 1$i# a" mi21 i,,!r!"t 0!&i!,s a" $ra#ti#!s) a&i'"i"'

it .it* t*! tr!" ,%r s("#r!tism i" t*! N!. A'!/ T*! .%r i"#&usi+ism) *%.!+!r) ma(

0! m%r! a$$r%$riat! i" s%m! #as!s/ T*! i !a %, s("#r!tisti# 1$i# -a" -mi21 s$iritua&it(

im$&i!s t*! a# uisiti%" %, #% !s a" s(m0%&s .it* "% a$$ar!"t su0sta"#!) ,%r t*!

sa !) $!r*a$s) %, st(&!/


29/36

Wit*i" t*! s$*!r! %, t*! $ra#titi%"!r %, ritua& ma'i# ) t*!( ar! t*!ir %." $ri!st a"

t!a#*!r i" s%m! .a(s/ T*! P*i&%s%$*!rs %, Natur!) a $arti#u&ar t!a#*i"' a"

r!s!ar#* %r'a"isati%" %, ma'i#ia"s a" %##u&tists ,irm&( a&i'"! .it* A*!mi#a&

tra iti%"s a" t*! ma'i# %, t*! G%& !" Da.") *a+! t*! ,%&&%.i"' i" %"! %, t*!ir

%#um!"ts) .ar"i"' t*! ritua& ma'i#ia" a'ai"st ;ust t*is i" %, 0!*a+i%urJ .it*i" it

#a" a&s% 0! %0s!r+! t*! m!"ti%" %, s%m! s$!#i,i# $ra#ti#!s:

C%"#!"trati%" is %"! %, t*! !( ,u" am!"ta&s t% su##!ss) +isua&isati%" a"

m! itati%" ar! t*! %t*!r t.%/ But #%"#!"trati%" is "%t ;ust a m!"ta& ,a#u&t()

it is a&s% a" attitu !) a" a$$r%a#* t% %"!s i""!r &i,!/ I, .! s$!" a&& %ur tim!

&%% i"' ,%r t*! ri'*t s(st!m %r #%m0i"ati%" %, t!#*"i u!s t*at .i&& 'i+! us

t*! !2$!ri!"#! .! ar! s!! i"' t*!" m%r! %,t!" t*!" "%t .! !,!at

%urs!&+!s/ Pi# a s(st!m a" s!t %, ai&( $ra#ti#!s a" sti# t% t*!m G%%

s%&i 0asi#s 'i+! m%r! r!su&ts t*a" t*! m%st #%m$&!2 %, ma'i#a&

!" !a+%urs/ A##umu&ati"' i"itiati%"s a" t!#*"i u!s ,r%m i+!rs! s%ur#!s

ta !s us a.a( ,r%m .*at r!a&&( matt!rs - t*! i"itiati%" i"t% %ur H!art) a"

#%"+!rsati%" .it* %ur I""!r Mast!r/ It is 0!tt!r t% #*a"t OM !+!r( a( ,%r

t*! r!st %, (%ur &i,! a" "%t*i"' !&s! t*a" t% t!#*"i#a&&( "%. a *a&, % !"

s(st!ms %, ma'i# a" !" u$ .it* "%t*i"' 0ut $s(#*i# i" i'!sti%"/ !!$ it

sim$&! a" ir!#t) &i ! t*! ,&i'*t %, a" arr%.) a" t*!" (%u .i&& *it (%ur mar /

W*!t*!r t*! ritua& ma'i#ia" a#tua&&( ,%&&%.s t*is i" %, a +i#! is $!r*a$s 0!st

a r!ss! .it* !+!r( s$!#i,i# #as! u" !r a"a&(sis) 0ut t*! +ari%us simi&ariti!s "%.

a$$ar!"t 0!t.!!" O##u&tism a" t*! .i !r 0a" %, N!. A'! $ra#ti#!s *as 0!!"

%0s!r+! a" "%t! /

H%.!+!r) it is a&s% $%ssi0&! t% +i!. .it*i" t*! a0%+! a##%u"t !&!m!"ts .*i#* ar! i"

&i"! .it* m% !r" ,i" i"'s %, N!%-$a'a" m%+!m!"ts/ T*%u'* t*!r! is a #%"si !rati%"

%, a ,utur! ut%$ia" tim!) t*! A!%" %, Maat) a" a $ara i'm i"+%&+i"' a ,utur!) a"


30/36

,u"#ti%"a&&( 0!tt!r) #%"s#i%us"!ss t*at t*! *uma" mi" #a" r!a#*) t*!r! is a&s% t*!

#%"#!r" %, ma"i,!sti"' t*at tim! i" t*! *!r! a" "%.) a# "%.&! 'i"' t*! #(#&i#

"atur! %, !+!r(t*i"' .it* t*! #%"#!$t %, t*! A!%"s) a" t*! !2ist!"#! %, a&& as *!r!

.it*i" t*! m%m!"t/ But t*! $ra#titi%"!r a&s% s!!ms #%"#!r"! .it* a&t!ri"' *is

#%"s#i%us"!ss) im$&i#it&( im$&(i"' t*at t*!r! is s%m!t*i"' 1.r%"'1 .it* it) t*at it "!! s

r!,i"! a" t*at trut* is %"&( r!a#*! t*r%u'* a #!rtai" s!t %, 0!*a+i%urs a" !,,%rts

%" t*! $art %, t*! $ra#titi%"!r - t*is a&i'"s it .it* a i+isi%" i"t% a G"%sti# .%r& -+i!./

T*! '"%sti# .%r& -+i!. 0!i"' #%"#!r"! .it* t*! i !a t*at #%"s#i%us"!ss a" t*!

.%r& as it is) is s%m!*%. at ,au&t) a" "!! s t% 0! im$r%+! %r #*a"'! i"

a##%r a"#! .it* a"%t*!r s!t %, 0!&i!,s a" 0!*a+i%urs .*i#* t*! '"%sti# t*!" must

a %$t i" %r !r t% #*a"'! a" im$r%+! t*! .%r& a" #%"s#i%us"!ss) t*! a# uisiti%"

%, #%rr!#t "%.&! '! a" a "!. .a( %, $!r#!i+i"' t*i"'s t*! .%r& / T*! s$iritua&it( %,

t*! ma'i#ia") a" $!r*a$s t*!" t*! .i !r 0a" %, %##u&t $ra#ti#! a" 0!&i!,) s!!ms

#%"#!r"! .it* t*is s$!#i,i#a&&( t!&!%&%'i#a& $r%#!ss %" s%m! &!+!&) as !si'"at! 0(

t*! !,i"iti%" us! i" t*! 0!'i""i"' %, t*is $a$!r - $%siti%"i"' %##u&tism as a $!rs%"a&

t!&!%&%'i#a& matri2 %, $ra#ti#! a" 0!&i!, - !"#%ura'i"' a t*! #r!ati%" %, t*! t!rm N!%-

G"%sti#ism t% !s#ri0! t*!s! $arti#u&ar $ra#ti#!s a" .%r& -+i!.s/

CONCLUSION

T*! ,%r!'%i"' *as 0!!" a" att!m$t t% $r!s!"t L!,t-Ha" Pat* O##u&tism as a

$arti#u&ar arti#&! %, r!&i'i%sit( i" #%"t!m$%rar( s$iritua&iti!s/ T%.ar s t*is !" )

%##u&tism its!&, *as 0!!" !s#ri0! as a $!rs%"a& t!&!%&%'i#a& matri2 %, 0!&i!, a"

$ra#ti#!/ T*! $arti#u&ar $ra#ti#!s #%"si !r! T*!&!mi# .it*i" t*! L!,t-Ha" Pat*

%##u&t #%mmu"it() a" t*!" m%r! s$!#i,i#a&&( Maatia") *a+! a&s% 0!!" &ai 0ar! a"

#%m$artm!"ta&is! ) $!r*a$s "%t !2*austi+!&() .*i&! i" i#ati"' t*! $&a#!s .*!r! t*is

%r t*at $ra#ti#! %r 0!&i!, is s$!#i,i# t% Maatia" ma'i# ) T*!&!mi# Ma'i# ) t*! L!,t-

Ha" $at* as a .*%&!) a" t*! .i !r 0a" %, O##u&tismJ str!t#*i"' s%m!tim!s ,urt*!r


31/36

%ut a" t*!" ,i2i"' O##u&tism i" its #%"t!2t as a $arti#u&ar ma"i,!stati%" %, .*at is

#a&&! t*! W!st!r" Es%t!ri# Tra iti%"/

R!,!r!"#! *as 0!!" ma ! t*r%u'*%ut) $arti#u&ar&( t% N!%-Pa'a"ism) 0ut t%.ar s t*!

!" !+!" N!. A'!) i" %r !r t% ,i2 t*! stu ( i" #%"trast a" #%m$aris%" .it* t*!

a##!$t! is#%urs!s a0%ut t*%s! $arti#u&ar s$iritua&it!s/ A $arti#u&ar #as! .as

%0s!r+! .it* %##u&t s$iritua&iti!s) t*at t*!ir stu ( is %,t!" i"#&u ! .it*i" t*! 0r%a !r

!,i"iti%"s %, t*!s! #at!'%ri!s) $arti#u&ar&( N!%-$a'a"ism/ H%.!+!r) it #%u& 0!

ar'u! ) N!%-$a'a"ism its!&, *a+i"' !m!r'! ,r%m t*! H!rm!ti# tra iti%"

$r%mu&'at! 0( 5 t* C!"tur( %##u&tur!) t*at r!'ar i"' t*! $arti#u&ar $ra#ti#!s %,

Ritua& Ma'i# a" T*!&!ma as N!%-$a'a"ism) #%u& 0! a i" t% r!'ar i"' 3u aism as

a" as$!#t %, C*ristia"it(/ B!#aus! t*! %"! 'r!. %ut %, t*! %t*!r) it is $!r*a$s m%r!

,ruit,u& t% r!'ar t*!m as s!$arat!/ T*! O##u&t Tra iti%") as *as 0!!" s*%.") is

s%m!t*i"' t*at *as 'r%." ,r%m A"#i!"t Gr!!#!) t*r%u'* t*! mi &! a'!s a" i"t% t*!

R!"aissa"#!) t*! $arti#u&ar tra iti%" a&.a(s i",%rmi"' .*at #%m!s a,t!r/ T*is is

$!r*a$s t% sa( t*at O##u&tism is a" u" !r#urr!"t %, t*!%r( a" $ra#ti#! t*at *as

a&.a(s 0!!" t*! #%"#!r" %, a $arti#u&ar s!'m!"t %, s%#i!t( i" t*! W!st) a&%"'si !

t*! m%r! %mi"a"t ,%rms %, r!&i'i%us 0!&i!, a" $ra#ti#!/ S%m!tim!s 3!.is*)

s%m!tim!s C*ristia") a" s%m!tim!s Pa'a") %##u&tism1s $arti#u&ar usa'! %, a+ai&a0&!

#u&tura& s(m0%&s a" is#%urs!s is %"! %, its #*ara#t!risti#s) $!r*a$s r! uiri"' t*at it

0! +i!.! i,,!r!"t&( ,r%m %t*!r r!&i'i%siti!s) i" t*at its %ut.ar a$$!ara"#! #*a"'!s)

0ut its #!"tra& #%"#!r"s r!mai" t*! sam!/ T*!s! #%"#!r"s *a+! 0!!" s*%." t% 0!

t*! tra"smutati%" %, t*! i" i+i ua& a" t*! .%r& ) t*r%u'* t*! a$$&i#ati%" %, #!rtai"

t!#*"i u!s) i" t*! m% !r" !ra t*!s! 0!i"' s!&!#t! $!rs%"a&&( rat*!r t*a" $r!s#ri0!

0( aut*%rit( - a'ai") a&i'"i"' %##u&tism .it* t*! #*ara#t!risti#s %, t*! r!&i'i%sit( %, t*!

$arti#u&ar tim!/ As *as 0!!" m!"ti%"! ) t*! r!&i'i%sit( %, t*! m% !r" !ra s!!ms

#*ara#t!ris! 0( s("#r!tism a" i"#&usi+ism) .*!r! t*! i" i+i ua& #r!at!s a"

mai"tai"s t*!ir %." $!rs%"a& r!&ati%"s*i$ .it* t*! sa#r! / P!r*a$s t*!") i, %##u&tism


32/36

a&.a(s a a$ts t% t*! r!i'"i"' ,%rm %, r!&i'i%sit() t*is is .*( it a$$!ars t% *a+! simi&ar

#*ara#t!risti#s t% t*! N!%-$a'a" a" N!. A'! #at!'%ri!s %, s$iritua&it(/ But) as *as

a&s% 0!!" !m%"strat! ) O##u&tism *as a&.a(s 0!!" a $i# -a" -mi2 ,%rm %,

r!&i'i%sit() s% it is $!r*a$s t*!" O##u&tism t*at *as i",%rm! t*is $arti#u&ar ,%rm %,

r!&i'i%sit( i" t*! m% !r" !ra) ,r%m its !m!r'!"#! as a $u0&i# is#%urs! i" t*!

Vi#t%ria" !ra %".ar s/

T*!s! ar! 0%& #&aims a" stat!m!"ts) a" $!r*a$s t*! i" !2$!#t! ,r%m a"

i"si !r .*!" is#ussi"' t*!ir $arti#u&ar r!&i'i%sit(/ But %##u&tism) as *as $!r*a$s

0!!" !m%"strat! ) is a $!#u&iar s!t %, 0!&i!,s a" $ra#ti#!s) m(sti#a& i" its att!m$t

t% a&i'" t*! $ra#titi%"!r .it* a $!r#!i+! U&timat! R!a&it( 65 ) a" "!0u&%us i" its ,%rm)

as it #a" $arta ! %, +ari%us i,,!r!"t m(sti#a& %#tri"!s) su#* as a00a&a*) Su,ism %r

Ti0!ta" Bu *ism) i" t*! $ra#titi%"!rs att!m$t t% #r!at! t*!ir $!rs%"a& t!&!%&%'i#a&

matri2 t*at $r%+i !s m!a"i"' a" ) $!r*a$s) $r%'r!ss) t%.ar s t*is a$$r!*!"si%" %,

U&timat! R!a&it(/

R!,!r!"#! .as ma ! a0%+! t% t*! i !a %, a ,ra#ta& m!ta-"arrati+! t*at !s#ri0!

#%"t!m$%rar( s$iritua&iti!s: a" !"#%m$assi"' !s#ri$ti%" #%m$%s! %, sma&&!r

!s#ri$ti%"s) .*i#* t*!ms!&+!s ma( 0! #%m$%s! %, sma&&!r !s#ri$ti%"s) t%.ar s a

#&!ar +i!. %, t*! i,,!ri"' ma"i,!stati%"s %, s$iritua& $ra#ti#! a" 0!&i!,) $r!s!"ti"' at

%"#! i" #&!ar +i!. t*!ir i,,!r!"#!s a" simi&ariti!s/ A !s#ri$ti%" .*i#* is a&.a(s

r!,!rri"' t% its!&,) a" a&.a(s a##umu&ati"'/ Ar'ua0&( t*is is a&r!a ( %##urri"' .it*i"

t*! stu ( %, #%"t!m$%rar( s$iritua&iti!s) a" $!r*a$s it is *!r! t*at i"si !r is#%urs!s)

$r!s!"t! a#a !mi#a&&() ,it i"/ It is *%$! t*at t*! ,%r!'%i"' *as 0!!" a #%"tri0uti%"

t% t*is a##umu&ati"' !s#ri$ti%") $r!s!"ti"' t*! ma"i,!stati%" %, a $!rs%"a&

r!&i'i%sit() a" $&a#i"' it i" its .i !r #%"t!2t as a $art %, a" %"'%i"' tra iti%") .*i&!

#&ari,(i"' t*! "atur! %, t*at tra iti%") a" $r!s!"ti"' a" !,,!#ti+! !s#ri$ti%" %, it/

51 H!ghes, >ysticism; The Perennial Philosophy, pg. '0+.


33/36

T%.ar s t*is !" ) it *as $!r*a$s 0!!" %0s!r+! t*at t*!r! is a s$*!r! %, s$iritua&

$ra#ti#! a" 0!&i!, t*at ma( 0! !s#ri0! as N!%-'"%sti# - "!. 0!#aus! it is 0%r"

.it*i" t*! #urr!"t &i,! %, t*! $ra#titi%"!r a" is $!r*a$s s$!#i,i# t% t*!ir %." .%r& -

+i!.) a" '"%sti# 0!#aus! it is #%"#!r"! .it* t*! r!,i"!m!"t %, #%"s#i%us"!ss

t%.ar s a" a$$r!*!"si%" a" !2$!ri!"#! %, s%m!t*i"' .*i#* #%u& 0! !s#ri0! as

U&timat! R!a&it(/


34/36

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We&istes

2ccessed 1-05- 005; """.crossraods."[email protected]

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Left Hand Path Hermeneutics by T Burden