I've had a rather disheartening realization of late.
I'm finding more and more ego centric "know it all" members of the magic community and less people doing the pracitcal work. There's an article published by Newcomb that somewhat goes over this topic. Newcomb addresses a body of Thelemites to get out and do the work.
Perhaps I've been too connected with real magicians to not have noticed this of late. Mostly I work in the groups of solo Enochian magicians... Dean, Athena, etc. Where actual magic is discussed, and not ego gratification.
Recently I had a discussion with a modern occultist - after a lengthy discussion the occultist proclaimed several astonishing points:
- They represented Western Occultism, yet held a disdain for the Emerald Tablet - stating they did "not accept an above or below - mater and spirit are not separate," as represented in the Emerald Tablet.
- But most shocking was this person's general statements of "this is how it is" on various topics (which they had little knowledge of) - just clever positioning and arguing.
This isn't magick. Folks, this is personal philosophy pandering. If all we do is aruge to win a point of view, we're empty shells. Discussion is a form of learning. But when an individual seeks not to learn, but feel they already "know it all" and mock and revile the other spiritual teachings... The result of that is inner stagnation.
I don't care if you are a Thelemite, a Golden Dawn member, or a Aurum Solis member... the fact remains, to discount the Emerald Tablet (the formula of magick of accent) is complete ignorance. It is that simple formula that unveils the Kabbalah. It shows the Tree of Life (and Death) - that opens the door to vibratory theory of existence. In short, that tablet is the key to Western Mysticism and Magick.
Granted, you could reject the whole lot and say, "I believe different," but then why carry the label of a Golden Dawn member, Aurum Solis, or Thelemite? Be who you are, and be honest. If you are these things of the Western Mystery schools - then seek not to rot in personal ignorance, chastising the learned tried and true practices of said schools that go back to the ancient of days, with simple waves of the proverbial hand.
Crowley, Mathers, Levi, Dee, Rosicrucians all knew that there were higher planes. This world of existence isn't the "be all end all." In Kabalah there are four worlds. Each world has it's own tree of life. Eeach world is considered "above" and/or "below" another. The terms "above" and "below" are simply indicators and nothing more. Just to help the student of the mysteries understand relationships.
Assiah is the world of matter. Here one might consider that spirit and matter are both present, but in truth - it is a gross world. Vibratory states here are slower then the source of existence.
Further from Assiah is a world where matter has lost it's physical properties as it is in Assiah. Matter just has the symblance of things such as in the Astral Planes. This would be the world of Yetzirah.
Further from Yetzirah, is the world were matter has all but lost it's nature. The vibratory state here is very fine. This is the Briatic world.
Finally, the world of Atziluth is the most refined of all manifestation - being almost entirely spirit.
In each world, Spirit resides, but physical matter becomes more and more sublime, until unrecognizable.
Think for a moment of a magical tool. You may have a wand or cup on your altar - it's a physical object in this world. But in Yetzirah it is the symblance of a physical object made only of energy. In Briah the object is now more thought and intent, having little symblance to the physical object. In Atziluth the object has become almost pure light.
So let's revisit the occultist who believes that the world of matter and spirit is the only reality - that person has no clue to the other realms of the Tree of Life. They have setteled for the mundane. The physical world of matter. They have lost the purpose of magick - Knowledge and Conversation with one's HGA. Crossing the Abyss. Assending.
I've even been accused of late, of spouting "new age mumbo jumbo" for referring to Vibratory theory. Good god, since when did that become New Age? that is certainly not a "new age" concept. In fact you can find this in several sources, but i'll name just one - Raja Yoga.
Again -this is a clear sign of occultists who are not educated, running amuck and spouting things they don't understand. They might be well written. They might have a degree in a Western College... but they lack a crucial element: Wisdom.
At all times we must be fighting our Ego.
How can we spot our ego? When we inflate our positions over others. "That's a stupid idea" is a classic tell tell sign.
Transcend.
Do the Work.
Don't hold a position, unless you understand it.