Monday, November 8, 2010

What's Up?

I decided it was time to start going over the neophyte self initiation ritual (SIR) again. I feel like I bounce around alot in my studies but if something comes up in my life that seems like a signal that I should learn something. I try. Seems like it makes more sense in the context of life. I get bored any other way

I have taken a break on the qabalah studies since the next one is Tiphareth. I feel like avoiding that particular one right now. Like the plague.

I have been avoiding learning the godforms. The SIR involves the godforms and as I reading thru it I found myself inserting the phrases, "Guy with the funny bird hat", "Chick with the stick" and "Big dog".

Time to learn the formal name for the godforms, their roles and attributes!

The other thing I have been avoiding are the planets and their influences. I have a hard enough time with the earth, the sun and the moon. Mercury is yet another ball in the sky for this little Leo and I wont touch Uranus with a ten foot pole! Literally...

I have also been working on learning the Hebrew alphabet. I found a flashcard website for it. I have found that you need to have the correct chisel tip pens in order to get the coolio little flourishes and parallelogram lines in some of the letters. Instead of buying the special calligraphy pens, I found some highlighters laying around the house with that special chisel tip. My kids destroyed my good set of calligraphy pens long ago. I have been writing the letters because I cannot learn them any other way. I need to feel the motions in my hands.

I also found an essay on astral workings by Stavish. He's the guy whose book has been recommended to me several times. I found it because I am bound and determined not to buy a millions books that sit on my shelf unread. The essay includes a technique that I intend to try beginning tonight.

Is this post my attempt to fluff my Leo-ego? No, this blog is a record of my progress. Am I studying out of grade stuff? Probably. Do I have a grade yet? NO!! But I'm getting there.

Oh! and I learned some cool ways to make liquors and cordials. Here's one: take your favorite hard candy, like Jolly Ranchers, put them in Mason jars to the brim, pour vodka over them and cover. Let the candies melt in the vodka. Shaking expedites the process. Does that have ANYTHING to do with magick? No, not really but hell it makes for an interesting weekend.

5 comments:

Robert said...

"I decided it was time to start going over the neophyte self initiation ritual (SIR) again. I feel like I bounce around alot in my studies but if something comes up in my life that seems like a signal that I should learn something. I try. Seems like it makes more sense in the context of life. I get bored any other way"

Yup. Sometimes learning this stuff is non-linear.

PhoenixAngel said...

Frater Robert: Non-linear??? Well, um, er, um... yeah... as a matter of fact, I have been told that at least once before by more than one person and in more than one context. Glad you reminded me of that. I guess this little Leo with the long and deep memory CONVENIENTLY forgot it.

Unknown said...

Well, you have precedent, at any rate. The work of the portal grade, before tackling Tiphareth, traditionally refreshes, relearns, and reintegrates the work of the previous grades. Work with the planets is usually reserved until after this phase, too.

As Robert says, learning is non-linear. Jump around all you have to until it's integrated enough to move on.

PhoenixAngel said...

@Pallus Renatus: My studies are limited to a little beyond rote at this point: recognizing the words, trying to understand them and finding those personal experiences that I can relate them to. Although I mention, "grade work", please keep in mind, I do not have a grade yet and I have been doing about 60-70% of the Work in a solitary manner. I am very fortunate since I have several resourceful people that have provided me with guidance and advice. I am truly blessed in that regard. Thank you for your comment

Unknown said...

@PA: I didn't mean to imply that. Only that you chose a good point to go back and integrate =)