Sunday, March 21, 2010
Trouble...
Blargh. Unforseen events will be baring any further posting for the next week. Damn good way to start up a blog.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Book I : Chapters I-IV
The first chapter of the book sets the pace for the rest of the book. It begins by clearly outlining the three spheres of magic which Agrippa perceived and how they will be addressed in the book. Some will notice that his three worlds sound divisible amongst the Sephiroth (this becomes even more clear when it is mentioned that Hermes divided the highest celestial realm into two categories, the entire matter seems to almost boil down to the traditional divisions of the tree of life. Agrippa explains the rationale of magic very clearly. That is, "drawing down influences from above." This has continued to hold true even to this day in magic.
Chapter two begins with another profound though longer definition which suggests that magic is achieved by merging physical objects and bodies with their intellectual and celestial counterparts of which they are reflections. This is seen as the "most profound contemplation of most secret things, together with the nature,power, quality, substance, and virtues thereof, as also the knowledge of the whole nature..." Despite much of this being able to be written off as falling nowadays into the respective realms of psychology, science, mathematics, astronomy, Philosophy, etc. there is still that mystical aspect which remains solely in the realm of the Occult and ignored by the exoteric faiths which so burden mankind. It is in this that the nature of the Occult is divined: a science of sciences which ventures through the vehicles of empirical study into the subjective and yet collective mystical experience which no machine can yet illicit nor psychological theory explain away as supernatural dilettantism or paranormal stupidity. "The method of science, the aim of religion" to quote Crowley. It is important to remember that at this delicate time in history, many things which now lie in the realm of explainable states were viewed as Occult phenomena (this included magnets, as we shall see). Even when this excusable ignorance of the time is trimmed away (although there are still Occult virtues in magnets, but not as pertaining to WHY they attract each other) this definition still holds true as well in modern magical theory.
As we proceed onward, it should be taken into account that Agrippa speaks concerning the elements from a two-fold perspective: on one hand, he speaks of elements as energies of the universe on all it's levels and within the mind of every person, and on the other he is referring to alchemy not of the mind but as an early chemistry. Although modern literal alchemists who still perform lab experiments have elicited some interesting and by no means dismissible results, it is not with these that we shall comment upon in depth. Rather, we shall see them as they are seen nowadays, as semi-manifested vehicles of different types and "weights of energies which can be used in several different ways to classify intelligences. In most cases, the two-fold classification of the elements is used by Occultists to describe the separate virtues of each element, however the more complicated alchemical three-fold system still contains merit. Also, the feeling on the element of Earth normally settles converse to the perception of
Agrippa, insomuch that Earth is in fact as transmutable as the other three elements (though it is certainly more difficult on account of the figurative weight of the element versus the others). It is important to note that it is because of belief in the relative strength and sway which Earth poses over the rest of the elements that the banishing pentagram of Earth was incorporated in the later LBRP (Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram)as it is perceived that by banishing the heaviest of the elements the others are thenceforth banished as well (at least in their grosser forms which one wishes to banish in the first place).
Chapter Four will close off this first post. This passage is extremely vague and confusing but basically explains the elements as they relate to the 7 planets, 12 zodiac, and 10 sephiroth. This passage basically outlines the different densities of elements in relation to the level on Agrippa's scale and in general referencing the different levels of intelligences as they are elementally categorized.
Chapter two begins with another profound though longer definition which suggests that magic is achieved by merging physical objects and bodies with their intellectual and celestial counterparts of which they are reflections. This is seen as the "most profound contemplation of most secret things, together with the nature,power, quality, substance, and virtues thereof, as also the knowledge of the whole nature..." Despite much of this being able to be written off as falling nowadays into the respective realms of psychology, science, mathematics, astronomy, Philosophy, etc. there is still that mystical aspect which remains solely in the realm of the Occult and ignored by the exoteric faiths which so burden mankind. It is in this that the nature of the Occult is divined: a science of sciences which ventures through the vehicles of empirical study into the subjective and yet collective mystical experience which no machine can yet illicit nor psychological theory explain away as supernatural dilettantism or paranormal stupidity. "The method of science, the aim of religion" to quote Crowley. It is important to remember that at this delicate time in history, many things which now lie in the realm of explainable states were viewed as Occult phenomena (this included magnets, as we shall see). Even when this excusable ignorance of the time is trimmed away (although there are still Occult virtues in magnets, but not as pertaining to WHY they attract each other) this definition still holds true as well in modern magical theory.
As we proceed onward, it should be taken into account that Agrippa speaks concerning the elements from a two-fold perspective: on one hand, he speaks of elements as energies of the universe on all it's levels and within the mind of every person, and on the other he is referring to alchemy not of the mind but as an early chemistry. Although modern literal alchemists who still perform lab experiments have elicited some interesting and by no means dismissible results, it is not with these that we shall comment upon in depth. Rather, we shall see them as they are seen nowadays, as semi-manifested vehicles of different types and "weights of energies which can be used in several different ways to classify intelligences. In most cases, the two-fold classification of the elements is used by Occultists to describe the separate virtues of each element, however the more complicated alchemical three-fold system still contains merit. Also, the feeling on the element of Earth normally settles converse to the perception of
Agrippa, insomuch that Earth is in fact as transmutable as the other three elements (though it is certainly more difficult on account of the figurative weight of the element versus the others). It is important to note that it is because of belief in the relative strength and sway which Earth poses over the rest of the elements that the banishing pentagram of Earth was incorporated in the later LBRP (Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram)as it is perceived that by banishing the heaviest of the elements the others are thenceforth banished as well (at least in their grosser forms which one wishes to banish in the first place).
Chapter Four will close off this first post. This passage is extremely vague and confusing but basically explains the elements as they relate to the 7 planets, 12 zodiac, and 10 sephiroth. This passage basically outlines the different densities of elements in relation to the level on Agrippa's scale and in general referencing the different levels of intelligences as they are elementally categorized.
How this is going to work...
So basically, a number of chapters will be summarized in each post, usually between 3-7 pending length and current amount of other stuff the commentator (me) has going on. The first post will be going up momentarily so please sit back and enjoy the commentary!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Henry Cornelius Agrippa: His Three Books of Occult Philosophy and their relevance today.
Some Occultists know Henry Cornelius Agrippa extremely well, while some simply vaguely understand who he is; Some don't even know his name. Due largely in part to the gap between the first scholarly summation of Occult study and knowledge in Agrippa's era and the Occult Renaissance which occurred much later (of which all current Occultists are intellectual descendants), many of the earlier works knowledge were simply assimilated into new volumes such as Francis Barrett's "The Magus" (Which draws very deeply from Agrippa and can at times be almost plagiariztic). Indeed, shockingly few modern (last two centuries) Occultists were aware of the vital role Agrippa played in preserving and reviving magic, and more often than it should be Agrippa's "Three Books of Occult Philosophy" is seen almost as nothing more than a 'quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore.' This is due to the amount of criticism which was somewhat rightfully thrown at the book upon the dawning of modern science in the last two centuries; many of Agrippa's theories have been cast away as superstitious and others have been pointed out to be based mainly on outdated scientific conceptions such as spontaneous generation and misguided conceptions about geocentricity versus heliocentricity. On top of this, Agrippa was a very faithful Catholic who spends as much time in the book praising Christiandom as he does pointing out correspondences for Pagan gods to Kabbalah (a very common state of affairs for a Renaissance Magician). When these inconsistencies have been stripped away, what remains appears to be nothing more than a husk relative to the potency of the original work.
Why then not simply forget Agrippa? Consider momentarily Mary Shelley's book "Frankenstein." In the story, young Victor Frankenstein is mesmerized by the splendor of Agrippa and accepts it as truth during his formative years. He takes great time reading and comprehending every word, and sees the world from such a dated perspective. When Victor goes off to college he reveals to a professor his knowledge of Agrippa and the teacher scoffs, telling him to put down Agrippa and devote himself entirely to the study of empirical science. The path young Victor Frankenstein takes from there is history. While the abandonment of Agrippa led to Frankenstein's downfall, so surely would have wholly believing every word uttered by the archaic magician. Consider the third option: what if Victor had expanded his horizons and stayed with the studies laid down by Agrippa? In combining modern knowledge with archaic magic, Frankenstein would have eventually created the system now known as modern magic. In essence the proverbial 'trimming of the fat' of the older magical system perpetrated by Agrippa and the other magicians of his time is necessary and is in some cases still not complete (superstition dies hard). The marriage between modern thought and ancient wisdom is a long road which is full of pitfalls and dangers. So why study Agrippa? Because taking the word of the scholarly magicians who were the original fat-trimmers can lead to pitfalls. These people were not and are not infallible, and their interpretations on this book are not always perfect. "Three Book of Occult Philosophy" constitutes one of the first examples of the 'Occult Textbook' complete with how-to's, tables, and basic theory. It gives a deep look into the very stem of work from which flows the modern Occult revival we know. Agrippa was a very modern man for his time. He even defended (successfully!) a woman accused of being a witch. Indeed, many will find some of his ideas implausible, dated, or even absurd, while others will even be repulsed by the surprisingly pious tone. Nevertheless, it is of utmost importance that any and every practitioner and seeker of the secrets of magic read this book so that they may at the very least come to 'know their roots!' Agrippa was the Crowley of his time; the Eliphas Levi, the Regardie! Respect for a man who at that time was a revolutionary thinker and who blazed the trail we now walk so boldly, can only truly be paid by the reading of his formative and influential work. On top of this, the grounding 101 which this book will even now give in the basic principles of magic is more than important and will be extremely beneficial to a practitioner of any level! Indeed, the student should consult this manuscript before beginning any practical work.
So what will the purpose of this blog be? I hold a special place in my heart for this monumental work. Now, at the age of sixteen, I see it as the book that turned me serious about magic and the Occult. It is what transmuted "average dilettante Wiccan" into "expanding and practicing ceremonial magician." I do NOT claim my commentary to be authoritative or altruistic. There are as many takes on this material as there are readers of it. This commentary is my personal feeling on the work from the perspective of my experience and knowledge. What is dismissible as absurd superstition or by way of scientific grounds shall be, while points for which there is still viable or sane argument will be left simply with my opinion (though the other viewpoint will be expressed in respectful terms). Barring any unforeseen events, this blog will be updated at the minimum once a week, but on good weeks much more frequently. If something does arise which will prevent me from posting for the week, an announcement will be posted.
I encourage those who wish to begin reading "Three Books of Occult Philosophy" to purchase a copy of Llewellynn's sourcebook series edition with modern annotation by Donald Tyson (who does an amazingly professional and dauntingly thorough job to say the least). All in all, please feel free to take from this blog as you wish, and please feel free to comment if you feel I have blundered!
Best Regards,
-Jed
Why then not simply forget Agrippa? Consider momentarily Mary Shelley's book "Frankenstein." In the story, young Victor Frankenstein is mesmerized by the splendor of Agrippa and accepts it as truth during his formative years. He takes great time reading and comprehending every word, and sees the world from such a dated perspective. When Victor goes off to college he reveals to a professor his knowledge of Agrippa and the teacher scoffs, telling him to put down Agrippa and devote himself entirely to the study of empirical science. The path young Victor Frankenstein takes from there is history. While the abandonment of Agrippa led to Frankenstein's downfall, so surely would have wholly believing every word uttered by the archaic magician. Consider the third option: what if Victor had expanded his horizons and stayed with the studies laid down by Agrippa? In combining modern knowledge with archaic magic, Frankenstein would have eventually created the system now known as modern magic. In essence the proverbial 'trimming of the fat' of the older magical system perpetrated by Agrippa and the other magicians of his time is necessary and is in some cases still not complete (superstition dies hard). The marriage between modern thought and ancient wisdom is a long road which is full of pitfalls and dangers. So why study Agrippa? Because taking the word of the scholarly magicians who were the original fat-trimmers can lead to pitfalls. These people were not and are not infallible, and their interpretations on this book are not always perfect. "Three Book of Occult Philosophy" constitutes one of the first examples of the 'Occult Textbook' complete with how-to's, tables, and basic theory. It gives a deep look into the very stem of work from which flows the modern Occult revival we know. Agrippa was a very modern man for his time. He even defended (successfully!) a woman accused of being a witch. Indeed, many will find some of his ideas implausible, dated, or even absurd, while others will even be repulsed by the surprisingly pious tone. Nevertheless, it is of utmost importance that any and every practitioner and seeker of the secrets of magic read this book so that they may at the very least come to 'know their roots!' Agrippa was the Crowley of his time; the Eliphas Levi, the Regardie! Respect for a man who at that time was a revolutionary thinker and who blazed the trail we now walk so boldly, can only truly be paid by the reading of his formative and influential work. On top of this, the grounding 101 which this book will even now give in the basic principles of magic is more than important and will be extremely beneficial to a practitioner of any level! Indeed, the student should consult this manuscript before beginning any practical work.
So what will the purpose of this blog be? I hold a special place in my heart for this monumental work. Now, at the age of sixteen, I see it as the book that turned me serious about magic and the Occult. It is what transmuted "average dilettante Wiccan" into "expanding and practicing ceremonial magician." I do NOT claim my commentary to be authoritative or altruistic. There are as many takes on this material as there are readers of it. This commentary is my personal feeling on the work from the perspective of my experience and knowledge. What is dismissible as absurd superstition or by way of scientific grounds shall be, while points for which there is still viable or sane argument will be left simply with my opinion (though the other viewpoint will be expressed in respectful terms). Barring any unforeseen events, this blog will be updated at the minimum once a week, but on good weeks much more frequently. If something does arise which will prevent me from posting for the week, an announcement will be posted.
I encourage those who wish to begin reading "Three Books of Occult Philosophy" to purchase a copy of Llewellynn's sourcebook series edition with modern annotation by Donald Tyson (who does an amazingly professional and dauntingly thorough job to say the least). All in all, please feel free to take from this blog as you wish, and please feel free to comment if you feel I have blundered!
Best Regards,
-Jed
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