I guess I started this section for you GothicGeeks who read too much and got into the Magus and other writings. So feel free to talk about anything, or just ask questions and hope to get answers. As one book says "Ask and ye shall recieve"

Moved to gothic by forum moderator as it's not really a geek post.

Okay, I guess that makes sense. Nobody has really shared yet, but I know I am not alone in this arena. Does nobody want to talk about this topic?

I'm an occultist, I guess, but, I mean, just saying "let's talk about [insert topic here]" isn't the worlds most effective tool for starting a conversation, is it?

So, should I write like some long poem or story that is just filled with my ego and vanity, to get people to talk to me. I just want to have an open direct discussion without posturing. It didn't mean for it to feel like [insert topic here] kind of post.

You just need to post something that is easier for people to start responding to than "Name your topic, I'm your man.", as that can come across as kind of intimidating. This is the reason why I have 115 posts to my name here... I went around trying to give people things to respond to, trying to help conversation along, as a new board with few posts is somewhat daunting to some.

How about an introduction to The Magus? I assume it's Aleister Crowley... I'm sure there are probably some who have no clue and who might be interested.

Break the ice with something that can invite questions and conversation more easily than "feel free to talk about anything".

Lilith - who is going to resolve sleep dep now.



Edited By Lilith on Feb. 10 2002 at 02:32

I lack culture, what is Magus, what is it about?

Well I guess i will try to kill two birds with one stone.

1) Everyone who reads this, if you are interested in the occult, give us an overview of your belief system(ie Wicca, Ceremonial, Golden Dawn, Voodoo etc...)
2)I am a solitary(it means I practice alone) interested in the Runes and Chaos Magic(k). I also focus alot on techniques of divination. I am currently working on the Tarot, and I am really good with runic divination.

For Numen: The Magus is actually a book written by a dude(whose name escapes me right now) during the 18th century. It covers many subjects of occult interest from natural magic(what would become science) summoning, qabala, spells, formulas and a small history section on famous wizards. I found it after much searching at Barnes and Noble. I could tell you more, but it is packed away right now, and I can't get access to it.

tx DarkHermes i'm am now wlightly more enlightened ommmmmmmmmmmmmm. Ans as for a beleif system i'm strictly agnostic and only because i reason that verything is possible even the existence of a go or other powers etc, otherwise i'd be an athiest.

Agrippa

How basic are we talking here?



Edited By Malice on Feb. 11 2002 at 11:45

ah divining, beautiful.

i enjoy such arts and ill be taking a day long course on...march 3rd. tarot runes and some other ideas i cant recall. i am lowly versed in runes, i know my runes usually, such is my memory seeing how i have none to discuss it with. tarot comes next and tell em you dont use those silly cards they make nowadays...not being folly on your part just folly on those who make them...haha io saw some on the ol tele the otherday and they werent even tarot cards, they never got close enough to show them, but i could make them out and amusingly enough, they were playing cards ahhahaha...no wonder its flashes "for entertainment only" uh huh.

damn entertaining to have 2 dollars stolen while some guy BS's you....hell i coudl see a psychiatrist for that...and at least itd be reasonable BS.

ah sorry...

just expressing interest!

as for occult, and religion...seeing how i dont know your active defining of occult, seeing how people tend to think of everything differently these days....i take on druidism and wicca, more so towards druidism, just seems to be my calling for some reason, i [shall] practice wicca with my love whenever we are able to live together...ah the joys of life...or not.

shall you speak of your experience with runes and tarot? you say you are starting on tarot? youll have to tell me of this so that i may be prepared....

You never saw the movie THE GIFT did you?

She uses tarot cards similar to a playing card format. Cards with basic symbols on them, like the suits of a playing deck. But different.

I think with divining with tarot cards it's just a matter of what works best for you. I don't see why one couldn't get results with cards of a playing deck, assuming there are enough cards to use for a reading.

Lilith

Modern playing cards are believed to be derived from traditional Tarot.
The only difference is the modern tarot minor arcana includes 4-8 more cards, depending on the deck of choice, which can be traced back to Crowley.
The joker cards in a classic playing card deck are believed to be derived from the Devil and Fool cards in the major arcarna.

from memory the conversion is as follows;
Spades - swords
Clubs - wands
Diamonds - pentacles
Hearts - cups

but I don't personally do cards, so my knowledge is somewhat trivial and basic.
I have studied and researched over 2 dozen forms of divination (at last count), but it is all latent knowledge as I use none of them. I have forgotten more about divination than most people will ever know.

*)

No Malice, I believe Agrippa wrote the three books on Occult Philosophy. Agrippa is mentioned in the MAgus and I don't think he would include himself in it. Wow, you have forgotten that much divination. Do tell, what are the fine points of haruspication?

As for the runes, I love them. I started with the runes from the very beginning, and they just seem to resonate with me. Most people say that I am frighteningly accurate with them, so it makes life interesting. Although, because I like the runes, it seems to limit my chances to use them for others. This shop called Psychic Eye Bookstore wont let me perform rune readings(even for free) because the manager only wants tarot readers. That just irks me.

Francis Barrett wrote the Magus. The full title is, "Magus: A Complete System of Occult Philosophy."

I like reading about various 'occult' topics, but that's usually as far as I go. Tarot cards, psychics, astrology, new-age mystical nonsense... it's all quite silly to me. None of it can be proven, lots of so-called "solid information" we have is biased, and basically I think people like fooling themselves. (Who would want to go through the hassles of serious contemplation and analyzation when flying on autopilot is easier?)
For example, every astrological sign can be suited to fit you if you want to believe it hard enough. Psychics don't need to read minds, they simply need to know how to play off of you and your reactions. I've seen it done, I've done it myself, so I know how the game works.

I'm not condemning the numerous magickal/occult practices out there, I just don't believe in them: They don't work for me. I realize this doesn't ring true for every individual--i.e., what doesn't work for me might work for you--so I don't think anyone should feel attacked or personally insulted by my thoughts.
I welcome criticisms, if there are any.