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Permalink Reply by Alorer (The Gecko) on March 26, 2011 at 10:03

Well, it looks awesome to me. I am in the process of experimenting with a few ideas myself so... I get the feeling! :D In any case, if it feels weird, something's off... I wouldn't say the large combination and potency of energies is a drawback, seeing how it's not a single working but instead a combo-base of sorts... right?

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Permalink Reply by lilgem (love) on March 26, 2011 at 13:26

I agree with stef on this one its looks really cool to me.

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Permalink Reply by Beorc Kano on March 26, 2011 at 21:43

It's a combination of multiple art working together to make a symbiotic whole. The runecraft adds my own personal flair to it, the candleworking adds a lengthy aspect to it, and the Geomancy.... well, I don't know yet. Waiting for someone versed in Geomancy to come along and give his two cents. *coughSHAWNcough*

Alorer Stefanos (The Gecko) said:

Well, it looks awesome to me. I am in the process of experimenting with a few ideas myself so... I get the feeling! In any case, if it feels weird, something's off... I wouldn't say the large combination and potency of energies is a drawback, seeing how it's not a single working but instead a combo-base of sorts... right?

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Permalink Reply by VLM on March 29, 2011 at 12:02

Ok.. first off, lets throw the term "Geomancy" away, as it doesn't fit..  Geomancy is divination by evoked earth elementals and such...  NOT what you're looking at, methinks.

 

So lets move on to the actual geometry and how I see it relating to qabalah.  Ah, dammit, Shawn's going qabalah on me, I hear you saying in your head..  Hear me out. 

 

What I see here is an octagram..  the 8 pointed star of Mercury.  Now the octagram is related to mercury, and to the 8th sephira, Hod and to YHVY ADNI...  It refers to to the binding of positive/negative forces of the elements.

 

Hod..  Hod is glory or splendor, and is also said to be where the magician works the most, in terms of the sephiroth.  It is the force that breaks down energy into different, distinguishable forces (that you probably think smell different,) and is associated with learning and ritual.

 

Hod is about form, not force, about the dynamic formation of new forms or structures... it is about the ability to conceptualize, reason, and then communicate.

 

I am absolutely unfamiliar with the runes, and any kind of runecraft, but I think that if you start looking into this from a qabalistic standpoint, specifically around Hod because of the octagram, you're going to be pleasantly surprised..   From there, look also at the meanings of the tarot cards that have an 8 in them as well, as these are directly related here, too.

 

From all over the web, an example from Dion Fortune, though I cannot find its original source:

Imagine primitive man is meditating in the wilderness, and comes in contact, begins to understand, some energy that surrounds him. So he can grasp it better, he creates some form, perhaps the form of a god or a symbol, so he has something he can relate to. He then uses that statue or that symbol in future ceremonies to contact that intangible energy once again. This is the role that Hod plays in magic, while the music and dance that may be present in such a ceremony is the role that Netzach might play, providing the raw energy to reach the higher levels of consciousness.

 

Hope this helps :)  I like the way you're looking at this so far, in terms of study of it, and digging deeper into potential symbolism and correspondences.

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Permalink Reply by Beorc Kano on March 30, 2011 at 9:54

Shawn said:

Ok.. first off, lets throw the term "Geomancy" away, as it doesn't fit..  Geomancy is divination by evoked earth elementals and such...  NOT what you're looking at, methinks.

 

So lets move on to the actual geometry and how I see it relating to qabalah.  Ah, dammit, Shawn's going qabalah on me, I hear you saying in your head..  Hear me out. 

 

I have always been of the impression that Geomancy was earth magic... but recently, I read a definition of it that it was, in fact, akin to Sacred Geometry/Magical Geometry, etc. That's why I used that definition. Honestly, it's name means little/nothing to me. You know how I roll with that sort of thing. ;)

 

As for the whole Qabalah thing, I sort of expected it, and that is why I wanted your opinion. I know that the octogram has a long, deep, very rich history and meaning... I've seen it in cultures around the world, and it almost always represents the Sun or wholeness/completion, balance, the full year, etc... also notice that most maps of the pagany holidays are on octograms?

 

What I see here is an octagram..  the 8 pointed star of Mercury.  Now the octagram is related to mercury, and to the 8th sephira, Hod and to YHVY ADNI...  It refers to to the binding of positive/negative forces of the elements.

 

That makes sense. Negative/Positive as a balance.

 

Hod..  Hod is glory or splendor, and is also said to be where the magician works the most, in terms of the sephiroth.  It is the force that breaks down energy into different, distinguishable forces (that you probably think smell different,) and is associated with learning and ritual.

 

Hod is about form, not force, about the dynamic formation of new forms or structures... it is about the ability to conceptualize, reason, and then communicate.

I've always used it as a map of the primary and secondary elements as I understand them... the primary being the four 'physical' elements (fire, water, earth, air, of course, or, solid, liquid, gaseous, and energy), and the secondary four being a breakdown of the components of Spirit (Creation, Destruction, Order and Chaos... four separate but complimentary elements of Spirit). I started with this eight pointed star when I was about ten, then I looked back on it, studied it, and started doing some research, and found that there was a lot more to it. Wasn't sure of the actual magical implications though.

 

I am absolutely unfamiliar with the runes, and any kind of runecraft, but I think that if you start looking into this from a qabalistic standpoint, specifically around Hod because of the octagram, you're going to be pleasantly surprised..   From there, look also at the meanings of the tarot cards that have an 8 in them as well, as these are directly related here, too.

 

Tarot is something I am quite unfamiliar with, except in my own personal brand of reading them, and even then, it's only the Robin Wood deck (I identify with the card I call the Artisan.... it's the three of pentacles. If someone does a reading for me, and asks me for my signifier, it's the one I always select [if they use the Robin Wood deck]. Other than that, I'm Tarot-tarded).

 

From all over the web, an example from Dion Fortune, though I cannot find its original source:

Imagine primitive man is meditating in the wilderness, and comes in contact, begins to understand, some energy that surrounds him. So he can grasp it better, he creates some form, perhaps the form of a god or a symbol, so he has something he can relate to. He then uses that statue or that symbol in future ceremonies to contact that intangible energy once again. This is the role that Hod plays in magic, while the music and dance that may be present in such a ceremony is the role that Netzach might play, providing the raw energy to reach the higher levels of consciousness.

 

This is how I personally view *all* representations of God/Gods. They are the personal/cultural creations used to define and represent the powers that be. At that point, it's not "lol wutevur wurks 4 u iz guud lol," it's more, "what does *this* symbol/sigil/idol/practice represent. Hence... why I made this thread. Love the quote, by the way.

 

Hope this helps  I like the way you're looking at this so far, in terms of study of it, and digging deeper into potential symbolism and correspondences.

 

I figure, I've gone through my entire practice, building it to what it is now, with minimal study, mostly experience and correspondence with others, pulling information from meditation and reason. However, I'm working with more people now, and I'm finding that, while I *know* that my work is adequate for me, I have people asking me "how" and "why." That makes it necessary to start up my correspondences again, doesn't it? :D

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Permalink Reply by MJ on March 31, 2011 at 7:08

Beorc,

Withing Shawn's response he made the following statement:

Hod..  Hod is glory or splendor, and is also said to be where the magician works the most, in terms of the sephiroth.  It is the force that breaks down energy into different, distinguishable forces (that you probably think smell different,) and is associated with learning and ritual.

 

Hod is about form, not force, about the dynamic formation of new forms or structures... it is about the ability to conceptualize, reason, and then communicate.

 

Based on the information Shawn shared, I would interpret this as a learning experience. One that is not going to be one that another can instruct or provide specific facets of. Rather, it is going to be the opportunity for you to conceptualize, reason and thus communicate your intent with your design. That you, as its creator, will ultimately be the one to decide if infact you have too many energies, or if they infact conflict during a ritual, based on your intent. It also would seem as if the design leads to a sense of personal purpose or intent, in that it is laid out by something found within you, a personal  qualifier of sorts for the design. The combination of energies, would increase your intent, yet, would be under the direction of the reason behind it.You  referenced back to the fact that your practice is primarily built upon experience, meditation, and reason. All of which, infact, are demonstrated within this layout and design. Looking in on these items, my opinion of this would be: the beautiful lay out you have come up with, is just an extension of your own personal practice. It demonstrates personal growth and intuition, relative to your own path within the craft.   Blessings in your journey..... Always MJ )O(

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