“The lips of Wisdom are closed, except to the ears of Understanding.” – The Kybalion
In the years of old Egypt, a fundamental truth was shared, which had a profound and remarkable effect on all esoteric teachings to come, from Christian mystics and the Jewish Kabbalah, up to the secret knowledge of India written down in the Upanishads. All these occult teachings show a resemblance in their deepest and most basic ideas. The master Hermes Trismegistos, whose actual physical existence had never been proved, has been said to be the “Master of the Masters”, “the Scribe of the Gods”, and even “the God of Wisdom” himself. As a mythological figure, the greek god Hermes is equal to the roman god Mercury and to the egyptian deity Toth; god of the moon, magic and wisdom. Hermes’ philosophy has been passed on both orally and in writing throughout the last several centuries. The first written version is said to be the “Tabula Smaragdina”, a text of twelve sentences that contains all knowledge, found within Hermes’ grave. While the original Tabula Smaragdina is missing, writings about it have been found in Latin, Arabic and Greek since several hundreds of years. In 1908 knowledge from the Tabula Smaragdina and the Corpus Hermeticum (other texts by Hermes Trismegistos) got translated and further elaborated in English, known as The Kybalion. The philosophy of Hermes is the key to the understanding of all mystic teachings, including astrology, alchemy and psychology, as well as the many occult writings of different religions. The purpose of all these teachings is the same – The transmutation of consciousness into a higher vibrational state.
The philosophy of Hermes, and thus of all occult and esoteric knowledge, is based on the Seven Hermetic Principles. These laws are universal and ineradicable.
I – The Principle of Mentalism “The All is Mind; the universe is mental.” – The Kybalion Our material universe holds a substantial reality, The All, within itself. This All is pure spirit, a living mind, unknowable and undefinable. It is infinite and eternal in time and space. Matter is a mental creation of the All. But while all matter is illusionary from an absolute point of view, it is very real to the finite mind, and must be treated so; however, always with a clear understanding of the higher truth.
II – The Principle of Correspondence
“As above, so below; as below, so above.” – The Kybalion Our universe consists of the Three Great Planes: the great physical plane, the great mental plane and the great spiritual plane. The Principle of Correspondence implies that there is a harmony and correspondence between each of these planes, since they were all born from the same source. All laws and characteristics are universal and apply to all three great planes and their sub-planes. The alchemist knew that once he turns metal into gold, the same transformation will be done unto his soul.
III – The Principle of Vibration
“Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates.” – The Kybalion Everything within the All is in motion. Matter, mind and spirit are basically the same energy, but differentiate from each other by their rate of vibration. For us humans, the mental plane is eminently interesting, because all kinds of emotions, thoughts, will or desire, as well as any kind of mental condition, vibrates in its very specific mode. One can gain total control of their own mental states and moods by mastering this principle and change their own vibration, and also affect the minds of others by changing theirs. This phenomena is known as telepathy, induction or suggestion.
IV – The Principle of Polarity
“Everything is dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites. Opposites are identical in nature, but different in degree. Extremes meet; all paradoxes may be reconciled. Everything is and isn’t, at the same time.” – The Kybalion Everything within the All, whether it is material, mental or spiritual, has two poles, which are but the two extremes of the same thing, with many varying degrees between them. Mental transmutation can only happen by changing the vibrational rate within a thing, but a thing can never be changed in its nature. An undesired rate of mental vibration can be transformed by focusing and putting the awareness onto the other pole. As it is written in the Kybalion: “If you are possessed by fear, do not waste time trying to “kill out” fear, but instead cultivate the quality of courage, and the fear will disappear.” The tendency of nature itself is to move into the direction of a higher vibration, back to the pure spirit it once came from.
V – The Principle of Rhythm
“Everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides; all things rise and fall; the pendulum-swing manifests in everything; the measure of the swing to the right is the measure of the swing to the left; rhythm compensates.” – The Kybalion Between the two poles of everything, there is a pendulum-like movement, a measured motion with equal amplitude to the left and to the right. This balance of the swing is called the Law of Compensation. This law also applies to mental states in man, balancing the capacity for pain and pleasure. The more suffering one is able to bear, the more enjoyment awaits him, and vice versa. However, Hermetics use the Law of Neutralization by changing their own vibrations to a higher plane, and thus escape the effects of the negative swing of the pendulum on the lower plane.
VI – The Principle of Cause and Effect
“Every cause has its effect; every effect has its cause; everything happens according to law; chance is but a name for law not recognized; there are many planes of causation, but nothing escapes the law.” – The Kybalion There is no such thing as chance; there is a cause for every effect and an effect for every cause. Chance is a term for an effect that results from causes we can’t perceive or understand. Most of us go through life being mere effects; pawns to their own creation. Those who are able to raise their vibration to a higher plane, those who understand that not only our acts, but also our thoughts and emotions will have an effect, become Causers instead of Effects. They dominate moods, characters, qualities and powers in both themselves and in others. They do not escape from causation, but they serve on the higher plane, and rule on the lower one.
VII – The Principle of Gender
“Gender is in everything; everything has its masculine and feminine principles; gender manifests on all planes.” – The Kybalion Everything on the material, mental and spiritual plane contains the masculine and the feminine principle. Neither the masculine nor the feminine principle is capable of creating without the operative energy of the other. While the feminine principle tends to receive impressions, and generates thoughts, ideas and the full work of imagination upon these outer perceptions, it needs the masculine principle and its expressive tendency to generate and materialize original mental creations. Creation is only possible by a union of the two elements.
For the Hermetics it was not only essential to know and deeply understand these principles, but also to master, use and express them. Only then could some good come out of it for the possessor of the knowledge, and for the whole race. “True hermetic transmutation is a Mental Art”, speaks the Kybalion, “If the universe be mental, in its substantial nature, then it follows that Mental Transmutation must change the conditions and phenomena of the universe. If the universe is mental, then Mind must be the highest Power affecting its phenomena. “ The Hermetics knew that by raising their own vibration to a higher plane, and thus be able to rule on the lower one, they did not cheat, but play an important part of the game. They still served on the higher planes, fully aware that they could not destroy or avoid any principle.
“The half-wise, recognizing the comparative unreality of the universe, imagine that they may defy its laws. Such are vain and presumptuous fools. The truly wise, knowing the nature of the universe, use law against laws; the higher against the lower; and by the Art of Alchemy transmute that which is undesirable into that which is worthy, and thus triumph. Transmutation, not presumptuous denial, is the weapon of the master.” – The Kybalion
~Do not make the mistake of supposing that the little world you see around you–the Earth, which is a mere grain of dust in the Universe–is the Universe itself. There are millions upon millions of such worlds, and greater. And there are millions of millions of such Universes in existence within the Infinite Mind of THE ALL.~ The Kybalion
“Everything is Dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites; like and unlike are the same; opposites are identical in nature, but different in degree; extremes meet; all truths are but half-truths; all paradoxes may be reconciled.”
Automatic Writing allows a person to produce written words without consciously writing. These words are from a subconscious, spiritual, or supernatural source.
Basically, it’s a non-scary way to speak with your “Higher Self”, spirit guides, or spirits. It allows you to see their perspective subconsciously, while using claircognizance.
WHY DO AUTOMATIC WRITING?
Here are some examples of when you could do it…
When you have a fear of spirits and are too scared to contact your guides in any other way
When you are not yet very clairvoyant or clairaudient (you can’t hear or see your spirit guides), so you want to try another way. Automatic writing is actually very easy if you manage to put your mind to one side, and I know lots of people who have trouble hearing their inner voice who have had success with automatic writing.
When you want to get your Higher Self’s perspective on something that is bothering you – (I used to do automatic writing when I was upset about something and needed to raise my vibration. I’d tune into my higher self and start writing. She always had some very comforting and insightful things to say about any situation.)
Or just when you have some questions that you want a spiritual perspective on.
HOW TO BEGIN AUTOMATIC WRITING!
Sit down with a blank piece of white paper in front of them, while holding a pen.
I’ve also heard, before, that you can sit at a computer and type – but this is high unlikely to work. It would take a lot of energy for another being to move your hands across a keyboard. Pen/pencil and paper is very recommended.
Begin writing without conscious thought.
The conscious mind recedes into the background, so that wisdom from other realms of consciousness many be channeled through and handwritten, or typed. Often those who do automatic writing have no idea what they have written until they read over their notes.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Start each automatic writing session with ‘My Spirit Guides’ or ‘My Higher Self’ or ‘My Angels’ as the first line.
You can call on all of them if you want. Be clear about whose input you want, as it sets an intention to hear from that being. If you want, you can also see your guides as parts or extensions of you that you can access whenever you want, like your subconscious. (The more you see these entities as beings outside of you, the more channeling them may seem quite elusive.) If you want, you can also raise your vibration and connect with your guides/higher self before you begin typing. For example, you can do some deep breathing, or visualize going up to a room to meet with your guides, so that you can get their input for the duration of the session.
Just start writing and don’t worry about what you’re writing at first.
For example, write your question and just see what comes out when you put your fingers on the keys. You don’t have to focus on the question, just start writing about anything that comes into your head. The trick with this is to get used to writing (if you are not already). The more you’re used to writing, the easier it is to get into that ‘flow’ state when writing.
Setting a timer while you do it can be helpful
This is so that you don’t have time to think about what you’re writing. That works particularly well when you have a set of questions you want to ask your guides.
Create the right conditions so that you can lose your inhibitions about what you’re writing
I (personally) like to make sure I’m completely alone before automatic writing, and then insure that I’m writing in a journal or on a piece of paper that I can put somewhere safe, so that no one else reads it.
Don’t allow your mind to interpret the information while you’re getting it
You can interpret it afterwards. But know that it is totally normal for the mind to butt in and judge information in the process.
HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU’RE DOING IT CORRECTLY?
Channeled information tends to be high vibrational in nature. It will often comfort you, provide clarity or will raise your mood in some way. If it feels negative or feels heavy, you’re probably not channeling a source that you want to tap into – or you may just be channeling your own emotional body, if you are not feeling very good. What you channel via writing will usually not sound like your voice or the voice that you ‘think’ in. Another feature of intuitive guidance is that it tends to be very clear, usually feels light and is often simply expressed. Having said that, I have read automatic writing that is poetic and metaphorical in nature. But don’t be hung up on how yours should sound or be. If you do it often enough, you will soon get a sense for what your automatic writing ‘feels’ like.
Do you have a favorite tarot card? Personally, I’ve always felt strongly connected to the Hermit. 🧙🏻♂️ When you receive the Hermit in a reading it is an indictor to focus inward and seek the answers within. People who strongly identify with the Hermit have an intense need to understand the bigger questions of life – why are we here? what is our life purpose?
The Hermit reminds us that the answers to these questions can be found by looking deep within yourself. This is often easier said than done in our chaotic and fast-moving life. When the Hermit appears, he asks us to remove ourselves from the modernity of life and go on a journey – a journey of spiritual discovery. Are you up to the task?
Every witch creates sigils in different ways, often more than one way work for them but no matter what, if you focus on your intent sigils all work just as well. In this post I’m going to explain the way I make most of my sigils.
How to.
First I write out my intent for the sigil I need and remove all the double letters.
Next I draw a circle and evenly spread vowels around the inner circumference and the rest of the alphabet on the outer circumference.
Now the actual sigil making starts. I join up the letters in the order of the intent we wrote out above.
Finally I translate the sigil off the letter frame and make any additions I feel like is needed, these additions usually consist of making a line thicker or adding a dot or a circle.
And you’re done! Most of my sigils charge through your presence (auras and energy) or light but you can focus them to charge however you want of course!
As always, I’m here if you have any questions or just want to chat, I love talking to new people.
Enchanting items is the act of charging items with a specific energy in order for them to take on the aspects of that energy. This can be useful in situations where you want your magick to be cast in more of a passive way over a long period of time. It is a lot like giving the energy of purpose, and putting the purpose in to an item to be used later. This energy radiates off the item granting its effects, and energies to the entities nearest to it. These items can be programmed, and become intelligent. They can be told to emanate their energies only in certain situations, or even have two effects they switch between. These items also need power sources to work out their goals. This can be done through the act of charging them, or having them draw on a certain energy form in order to charge themselves. Though the item usually is set to draw upon the energy of the person, it can be programmed to draw upon anything in its environment. This can be things such as emotions, negative energy, positive energy, a certain element, other entities, and much, much more. The items will take in these energies, and use them to cast magick with the intent that you had imprinted upon it. This item would then be known as enchanted, and would be a very powerful tool in your magickal working.
Focus Tools:
Items could also not have power sources, and be used more as a focus tool. By directing your energy through the item, the intent of the object will then be cast out into the universe. These items are a lot less passive, and are a lot more active. These items are like staffs, and wands for certain things. They are used at a certain time when you mean to use them, and are conduits to make your magick stronger.
Blessed Items:
Items can be made enchanted by asking a god, goddess, or other deity to bless it for you. Allowing them to take it into their favor, and to use their energy to act their will upon the world. These items are powerful because, they are connected to a deity that has more power than you do. The blessed item can only really be used in accordance with the deities will. For it uses their energy, and is programmed by them making it a pretty viable, and useful item to possess, and wield.
Entity Bound Items:
Items can also have servitors, spirits, and demons, bounded to them in order for the entity to act out the will of the possessor. Since these items call upon the power of an entity they do not need a power source, and will feed off the entity itself. The power of the item will be dictated by how strong the entity is. Some entities are forced to do this but others are not, and use it more as a housing. These entities act as spiritual companions that you can send out into the world to do your will.
The enchanting process:
To go about enchanting an item you must first find what you would like to enchant. This can be any item, but you should pay attention to the metaphysical properties of that item, because they may be brought in to the effect of the enchantment. Once you find the item you must cleanse it, and release the energies that have connected themselves to it, to provide yourself with a pure canvas in which to work. You can use any of your favorite cleansing methods for this task just as long as it gets cleansed completely. Next you must choose what type of enchantment you will be putting upon the item. This will first be a choice between a basic enchantment, focus tool, blessed item, or entity bound item. Next you’ll want to choose what you would want to use the enchanted item for. This can be for such things as luck, protection, binding, warding, love, success, etc. Once all that is settled take your item, and find a place where you will not be disturb. You will want to put up some magical protection such as a magick circle, or psychic bubble of protection. Then you want to sit with the item, and meditate for a bit on the type of enchantment that you are going to give it. You should do this for at least 5 minutes to get a good understanding of the intent, and energies you want to put upon the item. If you are doing a blessed item, or a entity bound item now would be a good time to call upon the entity. Once you understand the exact specifications of the intent, and energies you would like to impose upon the item, and you are going to be doing basic enchantment, or a focus tool you can then begin to greatly in vision it in your mind’s eye as a ball of energy. Then you need to take this ball of energy, and push it into the item. To imprint that energy upon it. If you are blessing an item at this time you can ask your deity to bless it. You could also maybe even anointed with some holy substance. After that you should make an offering to your deity for blessing the item for you. If you are binding an entity to the item, and the entity is cool with it, asking them to bind themselves to the item is all you would need. But if they are not cool with it you can always force them to be binded into the item my first catching them, and transferring them into the item. Once you have the energy inside the item you must send the item some energy instructions through intent in order to make the item more sophisticated. These instructions would be things like what energy to feed on if any, will it always be activated, and anything else you can think of in order to make your magical item work for you. After this your magickal item is done, and you can thank any entities that helped you. Then undo your protection, and go on your way with your new magickal item.
The modern world of craft practice is inundated with symbols. From the myriad of cultural religious and sacred imagery that has been appropriated by various magical practices over the centuries to the ever evolving stable of geometric drawings that have long been held to hold some innate metaphysical knowledge, the world of magic is full of symbols.
The sigil, originally a term meaning the signature of a spirit entity, has evolved since the 19th century, through the work of Austin Osman Spare, Kenneth Grant and later UK based chaos magicians, to be a symbolic representation of a spell or goal oriented magic working.
Thus modern magical practice often incorporates the creation of ever further symbols to represent our magical desires, formulations, and contemplations. These sigils have become central to magic in a world of screens, where every grimoire is able to be accessed instantly and the commodity of the symbol, a rarification of knowledge, is lost in the ubiquitousness of the internet age. No symbol is rare, no sigil unique.
Yet as we move through this era of data overstimulation and increasingly thinner language barriers we as magic practitioners have long understood that the true and underlying power of the symbol is in the thing it represents, not the ink on the parchment. The map is not the territory on this side of the mirror of the landscape, nor the other.
When we look for the foundation of symbols like the pentacle and hexagram, geometric forms that outline mathematical truths, we find them everywhere in nature. Their power is in the root of life itself, expressions in plants and animal matter that count themselves innumerably. From the pattern of flower petals to the digits of a human hand, from the forking twists of tree branches to the roots of sacred herbs the mathematical expression that is symbolized in a pentagram, hexagram, squiggly line, pointed arrow, all are found in the natural world. Our sigils are merely representations of things, much as is our language. A pale and dim reflection of a radiant thing of complex arrangement.
As magicians we must return to the land and give less credence to the map. We must let our sigils be the shapes we find in nature, the forking of a leaf, the vein of a stone, a spiral of a shell, the fracture of a bone. The trace of an ancient river our spirit symbol for its essence, the pentate of flower petals the warning of its hidden power.
Language is at best discarded when we enter upon the threshold of that realm beyond. By bringing language into the space of the other we dilute our ability to grasp its architecture. Carrying language with us is baggage best left behind, for as we attempt to categorize and compartmentalize the experiences of the other those experiences move away from us, like a willow the wisp fading in the forest ahead.
When we mistake the map for the territory we lose sight of our path, looking to be guided by the map we are no longer explorers of our own lives but merely commuters on the way to some self perceived goal. The practice of magic and the role it has in our perception of “reality” is one that affords us subtle understandings of the architecture of reality. The reduction of these things to mere symbols and sigils robs them of their agency, reduces and diminishes their power and awe.
It is through a meditative understanding of the expression of these symbols in nature that we as witches will come to grasp the invisible realm of otherness. That beyond, that is part and parcel of the mundane world and yet so often ignored by the masses in their search for comfort and stability. We see the true landscape through the veil, and the symbols that point the way are merely signposts on our path.
Let the sigils of nature manifest in our craft, as stewards of the landscape in which we work, as journeyers along a path through the beyond. Let the flower represent itself without the pentagram, the crossroads reveal itself without the hexengram. The unfolding magnificence of the natural world is the territory we seek to ensnare in our symbols, let them stand for themselves on our altar and in our path. The landscape will reveal those sigils for which all things may be bound, all spirits may be called. We must merely learn to see them in our midst.
Occult Aspects 