We are seeing a New Cycle begin In the world NEXT YEAR, and (as at all suchtimes) we are seeing it call to the brave and the i

We are seeing a New Cycle begin In the world NEXT YEAR, and (as at all suchtimes) we are seeing it call to the brave and the intelligent whowill be its architects and foundation layers. We see it repulsethose who are the tired and the stupid, and we see many who willblunt its novel message with petty evils or colour it in pastelsentimentalities.

This New Cycle is going to be marked by an increasingindividualism and creativity. For the most Selfish of reasons, wemust design this new age as one of great freedom and tolerance. If we are to dare the black magic, if we are to try our hands atself deification, we need to seek and support that world thatlets the Black Academy bloom.

If we want to particapte in the cultural (r)evolution of the NewCycle, the best method is to Transform ourselves. To activelyseek everyday those experiences and perform those deeds that leadto wisdom. If the magician transforms him- or herself, theactions of the magician lead to a transformation of the worldaround them. If one becomes as a god, one's words and deeds willhave the effect of gods.

Now the question arises how do we begin this transformation? Theanswer is (of course) such a personal one that even an Initiateof the Left Hand path can only suggest some activities that mightbe helpful in bringing you both the strife and joy needed todiscover your own personal formulas.

I am going to share with you seven such activities, give them aspin and if you look at yourself honestly and critically, you maybe amazed by the results.

On a Personal level:

Review your life's history. Find a time when you began yourself-creation by doing something that was wholly your won will(not merely seeking pleasure nor avoiding pain nor fulfilling thethe desires of society). Look over that incident. See how itmade you aware of yourself and the world. See how the results ofthat action, usually one os spiritual rebellion, lead to yourcurrent self. That is becoming aware of your inherent possibledivinity. From such moments grow your Real self, it is suchmoments (in Setian terminology moments of Xeper) that all yourmagic springs.

On a Political level:

Support such groups and laws that lead to a sane tolerantsociety. The Black Academy will flourish only in a free, ethicalsociety that tolerates creativity, discourse and new ideas. Asour ancestors knew so well, freedom and justice must be sought onthe personal level by each generation.

Join such groups that embody the spirit of the Black Academy. Look for places of dialogue and philosophy that resonate with youboth intellectually and emotionally. Look for groups that arediverse. Idiots think they know everything (and so don't needSchools). Wise men and women look for the best schools to bothlearn and teach in. Without the School all you've got is societyto resists. You can become a little stronger by shutting offsoft drink ads, but there's only so much to be learned byoutsmarting fools. Such groups may be formal (such as the Templeof Set) or informal -- a Gurdjieff study group you found at yourlocal coffeeshop.

Push for better education, better libraries, better spending ofmoney for the future. If you want to take part in the revolutionof human awareness both now and in subsequent reincarnations --you've got to work, network, and contribute to that Future.

On a Divine Level:

Learn a magical art. Now I don't mean rush down to your localoccult bookstore and buy books on every single magical topic youcan, and hope somehow that something's going to soak in. Insteadfind an art, learn all you can about it form hard scholarlysources as well as popular books. Then practice it until you getreal world results. Don't pick something that relies on prayer,but choose something that uses your will. The practice of magicis the beginning of the road to self-deification.

Empower yourself. Most occultniks hope that somehow, somedaythey'll wake up rich and famous and talented. Real magiciansknow that if they wish to change the world -- they had betterlearn a craft that exerts an influence on the world. They takeon the tough road of becoming respected scholars or solicitors orartists. They enjoy the exoteric benefits of such power, whilealso realizing that the esoteric truth that their rise topositions of power is a single long spell that changes thecenturies much as minutes long spell might change next week.

Remind yourself that this is a New Cycle. Ask yourself often,"What is the Work for me today? For my personal goals both humanand divine?" Let the excitement of hat is rising up in the worldbe joined with your own excitement of what you are Becoming. From these two streams you will make a new world.