Contacting your Holy Guardian Angel

[Toad]

I have been doing a ton of research on contacting ones Holy Guardian Angel. I am at a point where I feel that I have a very good understanding of the process coming from a Ceremonial Magic background. I have researched Liber Samekh and other related Thelemic texts along with some Golden Dawn slants on the same issue.

I have seen here in various places folks talking about speaking with their guardian angels and I am pretty sure they are not Ceremonial Magicians. I would be very interested to read how other trads approach this. Any books or web sites you may have tucked away that talk about this I would sincerely appreciate seeing/being referenced to. I have already found quite a bit of info on this via google searches, MW searches and the like. If you have any personal rituals or stories that you would care to share around this I would be equally keen to hear.

Like most everything for me lately this is just an information gather process. I am trying to build a solid foundation before I attempt to fly. =)

Any info or comments would be greatly appreciated.

[Rain Gnosis]

I'm interested to know how a HGA is different from a spirit guide? Are they simply spirit guides who work as intermediaries between the Divine and the individual, rather then spirit guides who don't appear to have any connection to a specific God? Perhaps some people find a normal spirit guide rather than a HGA because they don't like the JCI god and therefore the word 'angel' and connotations turns them off - in such a case, are they working with a non angel spirit guide, or an HGA who comes in the form of a non angel so the person isn't uncomfortable?

You can find spells online and whatnot to find a spirit guide (or an animal guide), but essentially you go into meditation and try to find one. The process is probably similar to the one you're thinking of, but probably without specific components (ie. more general perhaps, rather then with certain props?).

Then again, I say this without having researched ceremonial methods, so I could be completely wrong.

[Toad]

I'm interested to know how a HGA is different from a spirit guide? Are they simply spirit guides who work as intermediaries between the Divine and the individual, rather then spirit guides who don't appear to have any connection to a specific God? Perhaps some people find a normal spirit guide rather than a HGA because they don't like the JCI god and therefore the word 'angel' and connotations turns them off - in such a case, are they working with a non angel spirit guide, or an HGA who comes in the form of a non angel so the person isn't uncomfortable?

You can find spells online and whatnot to find a spirit guide (or an animal guide), but essentially you go into meditation and try to find one. The process is probably similar to the one you're thinking of, but probably without specific components (ie. more general perhaps, rather then with certain props?).

Then again, I say this without having researched ceremonial methods, so I could be completely wrong.


Truthfully the majority of my research has been into Thelemic operations of this experience. With that in mind the jist you stated above is essentially correct...


The Holy Guardian Angel is the divine object of devotion of the Bhakti Yoga, Krishna to the Hindu, and the Christ to the Christian. No matter by what name or in what form, the Holy Guardian Angel transfigures the devotee and bestows bliss and an expanded consciousness which is a prerequisite to any further spiritual experience or attainment.


The Thelemic would lead one to believe that until one achieves conversation with their HGA they are 'spinning their metaphysical wheels'. (I personally have accepted this after a lot of thought and meditation). In Thelema this operation is of the uppermost importance and held in the highest regard.

The actual nut and bolts for the Thelemic ritual is found in Liber Samekh - written by Crowley. There are other texts...namely DuQuette's The Magick of the Thelema that outline the process in a bit more logical order. Basically its a process where the magician develops an over whelming desire and love for his HGA.

Judging by the importance that is placed on this ritual its probably the most involved ritual I have set eyes on. Taking at least a year...starting with ritual work daily then twice daily then three times, etc as the year progresses. Crowley contacted his HGA Aiwass in this fashion as he traveled across China. Duquette relates a funny story of Crowley and his donkey falling off a small cliff as he was focusing on the ritual intensely. Duquette also references a conversation he had with Regardie where Isreal stated that he was only aware of one person to have completed Liber Samekh as written...his name was Aleister Crowley.

Duquette readily points out that Liber Samekh is Crowley’s answer to contacting your HGA….but there are plainly other ways. There are others who have the conversation with their HGA and have never read Liber Samekh…I personally believe that it is the intense desire and love that you must possess to call the HGA down to you.

Hope that helps Rain.

[Rain Gnosis]

How would you relate the HGA to gnosis? In other words, from what I read I'm guessing you've accepted that the HGA bestows gnosis? Is gnosis not attainable otherwise?

Not trying to be combative either, just curious as to how this works! :)

[Toad]

How would you relate the HGA to gnosis? In other words, from what I read I'm guessing you've accepted that the HGA bestows gnosis? Is gnosis not attainable otherwise?

Not trying to be combative either, just curious as to how this works! :)

Let's see...I have to admit to being a bit fuzzy on the term Gnosis...so I went and looked it up. This is the definition I got from dictionary.com

Gnosis - intuitive knowledge of spiritual truths; said to have been possessed by ancient Gnostics

Now I could very well be wrong in this statement...like you I am still trying to figure this out myself. I really only understand what OTO or GD has to say...so...

I would say that the HGA would not necessarily be the only source of gnosis. By the definition I give special weight to 'intuitive knowledge of spiritual truths' - to me this means some things about spirituality you just know are true. Let me stipulate that just because I know something is true…does not mean it is a universal truth…more a personal truth.

The need to have conversation with ones HGA is one of my personal truths.

Perhaps my ‘spinning your metaphysical wheels’ is a bad analogy…it makes sense to me but…well that doesn’t mean anything really. What I meant is that until one has the conversation of the HGA they can’t be sure that they are following their true will or their true spiritual path…that they are in the dark so to speak. This is plainly what Thelema teaches…it makes sense to me…but I won’t be naive enough to try and pass that off as a universal truth.

That said…I could see one taking the side that until you have the conversation of your HGA you couldn’t possibly receive gnosis…that may be correct. *shrug* Like you…I would be keenly interested to hear debate on both sides of this question. It would no doubt be very enlightening. Once again Rain…a superb question that really caused me to think. =)

Me Likey!

[Toad]

Rain – stewing on this a few minutes longer…I have realized that yet again I have not accurately expressed my true thoughts. Here…try this.

I personally believe that one can have partial gnosis without talking to their HGA. However, until one has the conversation of their HGA total gnosis is not possible. I think that all of us without the conversation of their HGA may have some clue as to what is going on…but we are missing bits and pieces. It is my greatest hope and belief that the HGA can help me to ‘connect the dots’ so to speak. I don’t expect a full oration of the how and why of existence…I do expect clues. Based on my reading and meditations this is the purpose of the HGA.

I sure hope that makes more sense.

[Toad]

Another thought occurred to me…it was spawned by the Duquette quote above.

I think that we can all readily point to similarities to all of the world’s religions. There are certain parts of all religions that are in essence the same principle even if the words vary a bit.

I am quite curious about the corollary between the Thelemic ‘Conversation with the HGA’ and the Christian’s ‘Acceptance of Jesus Christ as their savior’. Is this the same thing in essence?

[Rain Gnosis]

Gnosis is a greek word referring to knowledge that can be gained from meditation and intuition (similar to mathesis - knowledge learned, and pathesis - knowledge felt). It is the knowledge of God through revelation. The Gnostics saw gnosis as a gained as a result of salvation and enlightenment, the Hermetics saw it as something necessary on the road to salvation.

Source: The Essential Golden Dawn, Chic and Sandra Tabatha Cicero

[Rain Gnosis]

In general consider gnosis to be that moment of revelation and connection with the Divine. Do you feel an HGA is necessary to that connection? Do you feel that an HGA is not as much a separate being as much as the magician's higher self that acts as an intermediary between the magician and God?

I was thinking why do I need an HGA, I have my higher consciousness to go through, and then I was thinking maybe the HGA *is* the higher consciousness?

[Toad]

Gnosis is a greek word referring to knowledge that can be gained from meditation and intuition (similar to mathesis - knowledge learned, and pathesis - knowledge felt). It is the knowledge of God through revelation. The Gnostics saw gnosis as a gained as a result of salvation and enlightenment, the Hermetics saw it as something necessary on the road to salvation.

Source: The Essential Golden Dawn, Chic and Sandra Tabatha Cicero


With that I will stick with my latest post...I think to achieve full gnosis one must contact their HGA. At least that is what I belief this week. ;)

The more I learn the more I realize I don't know a damn thing. There are few things I am certain of though...one of them being that I must at some point gain the conversation of my HGA. Its one of those things where once you realize it, its like it socks your in the gut and you just KNOW its true. I know this like I know I love my wife and children and would die for them without hesitation should there be a need. Its things like this that cause me to say that one could have partial gnosis without the conversation of the HGA.

I sure hope this makes sense...

[Toad]

In general consider gnosis to be that moment of revelation and connection with the Divine. Do you feel an HGA is necessary to that connection? Do you feel that an HGA is not as much a separate being as much as the magician's higher self that acts as an intermediary between the magician and God?

I was thinking why do I need an HGA, I have my higher consciousness to go through, and then I was thinking maybe the HGA *is* the higher consciousness?


This kind of spawns me to another revelation that I have had. I will probably muck it up in text...but I am going to give it hell anyway. :rolleyes:

First let me say that the study of qabalah thus far as led me to believe that I am divine. I am a microcosmic version of deity. Within me are all things for I am a part of all things.

Take for example goetic evocation. Some would scream that goetic evocation is evil...that I am summoning demons from hell. My answer is yea...so. ;) I would be summoning demons but not from some place...but from within my own mind. Duquette said it best - "It’s all in your mind...you just have no idea how big a place your mind is" These demons are simply traits…or parts of every one of us that deity let fall for whatever reason. They are inside each of us. Each of them affects us daily…and goetic evocation is a means to master them.

In ‘The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abra-Melin the Mage’ (written in 1458 by Abraham the Jew…we are told that everyone of us has a unique HGA and until we have conversation with this entity we do not have the equipment or the means to even comprehend its nature.

To again quote Duquette:



In the language of the Qabalist, we are Heh Final (5) of the Tetragrammaton, and the Holy Guardian Angel is Vav(6).The HGA is the Prince who awakens the sleeping Princess. Once this union is realized both we and our Angel are transformed into a higher spiritual Being who is capable of truly mastering the unbalanced forces of the lower worlds. Only then are we eligible to receive personal spiritual guidance from the only reliable source in the universe…ourselves.


(BTW – I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who is interested in CM…especially contacting the HGA.)

I also find it interesting that in ‘The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abra-Melin the Mage’ the first thing the magician does after contacting his HGA is to contact the ‘Four great Princes of Evil’. Then the next day the 8 sub-princes and so on until the entire population of the infernal realms has sworn allegiance and obedience to the new HGA aware mage.

As Duquette says…we don’t live in a vacum – as above so below. In other words once you have made contact with the HGA…you must balance yourself by redeeming, controling and training these demons (that are part of each of us) so that they don’t not resurface as soon as the HGA presence is lessened.

So to answer your question Rain…yes I think the HGA is a part of the magicians higher self.

[Rain Gnosis]

Brilliant. I think you got that across fairly clearly (or at least, I think I understand what you mean :)). It seems to me that it's necessary to confront and deal with those demons as part of spiritual evolution.

[Toad]

Brilliant. I think you got that across fairly clearly (or at least, I think I understand what you mean :)). It seems to me that it's necessary to confront and deal with those demons as part of spiritual evolution.

That’s great! This is something that I have been carrying around in my head. It’s a great exercise to finally try to organize my thoughts into something intelligible.

[Semele]

In other words, from what I read I'm guessing you've accepted that the HGA bestows gnosis? Is gnosis not attainable otherwise?



Just jumping in here, but I think of it exactly the opposite. I think getting to know your HGA comes as a bonus after gnosis. The two go hand in hand, but if I hand to place one above the other I would do it this way because if you aren't ready to hear the message given by your HGA...then what would be the point? (also tend to think along the lines of those thinking they are ready to hear and the HGA not knowing the difference could some how be related to mental breakdowns etc.)

[Semele]

I was thinking why do I need an HGA, I have my higher consciousness to go through, and then I was thinking maybe the HGA *is* the higher consciousness?

I kind of like this idea. Sounds feasable to me and it would play into my earlier, probably poorly explained, idea that gnosis comes and then we are more open to recieve and correctly interpret the messages from our HGA. I have always personally kind of thought of the HGA as a very close link to God, but I also think that we are all part of God and so this would also be interesting to ponder. Hmmmmm.

[Semele]

Sorry guys, I should have read the entire thread and made one longer reply, but this is just easier for my ultra tired brain.



First let me say that the study of qabalah thus far as led me to believe that I am divine. I am a microcosmic version of deity. Within me are all things for I am a part of all things.

YES!!!


As Duquette says…we don’t live in a vacum – as above so below. In other words once you have made contact with the HGA…you must balance yourself by redeeming, controling and training these demons (that are part of each of us) so that they don’t not resurface as soon as the HGA presence is lessened.

Ah-ha, therin lies the problem, I think. It isn't always easy to remain balanced in the world we live in these days. I mean look at dear old Uncle Al, he lived a very detatched from the world life and could spend great portions of his day focused on meditation and maintaining balance in his works, yet he had some serious issues with obtaining balance. Lets face it, he was a freaking nutjob..brilliant and truly mad at the same time. mol would argue that it was all just genious, but I feel otherwise.

I guess I am just curious how we go about maintaining that balance without completely removing ourselves from society and without driving our spouces to the nuthouse. Are you guys prepared for the true test of sanity?

[Toad]

Ah-ha, therin lies the problem, I think. It isn't always easy to remain balanced in the world we live in these days. I mean look at dear old Uncle Al, he lived a very detatched from the world life and could spend great portions of his day focused on meditation and maintaining balance in his works, yet he had some serious issues with obtaining balance. Lets face it, he was a freaking nutjob..brilliant and truly mad at the same time. mol would argue that it was all just genious, but I feel otherwise.

I guess I am just curious how we go about maintaining that balance without completely removing ourselves from society and without driving our spouces to the nuthouse. Are you guys prepared for the true test of sanity?

You know...before I read much Crowley I would have agreed totally that he was a nutjob. The more I read the more respect I have for what he says. Hell I can admit it...I am about a hair away from driving to OKC to join the OTO. ;) The thing stopping me is my year commitment to exploration. Well that and of course a couple fundamental problems with the OTO…mainly stuff that I KNOW was not uncle Al’s doing. But you get the idea anyway…

Sometimes I wonder if uncle Al didn’t have Jim Morrison itis...you know...'the prolonged derangement of the senses to achieve the unknown'. At least based on my limited understanding of Crowley…the man had a serious addiction problem. I have also come to see that for the most part Crowley didn’t want the spiritual path that he was given. (Mol turned me onto this – actually this explains burnt hotdogs Semele). It’s just a hunch…but I think Mol is right. Al wanted to be off climbing mountains and walking across China…then the Book of Law was delivered to him and he really didn’t have a choice. I think the drugs were his escape, partially, and like any drug user…he liked getting high, plain and simple.

One of the things Norwicki states in our CM class book is that these rituals need not be done in a temple with all the banners and such. What is needed is a disciplined mind. So to answer your question…I think it’s very possible to maintain balance without removing ourselves from society and without driving our spouses into the nuthouse. All it takes is discipline. Look at the black belt, or the minister or doctor…I mean they are all different but all of them take a special kind of discipline. While I am sure there are whack jobs in any of these paths…there are tons of highly functioning people. Ever talked to a true black belt (you pick the art – its immaterial). These are some of the most disciplined, balanced well rounded and social people you could ever meet. If ever given the opportunity…speak to one…you will see what I mean.

Some of my best meditation comes during mostly waste of time weekly management meeting. I have to be in there as sometimes I need to be…but in my job…about 90% of stuff that is said in there makes no difference to me and day to day responsibilities. I find myself using 4 fold breathing and fairly deep visualizations during this meeting. I do this at my daughters dance lessons…I wish I could do it at Reid’s karate but I am too busy laughing my butt off…. Point being I can and do turn it off…but that discipline is there. I am a neophyte…so my discipline is not what it needs to be…but its getting there. I think its very possible to maintain balance…especially if one doesn’t have some major issue such as a heroin and cocaine addiction. I can turn the study on and off…there is a time to read and meditate and there is a time to play Godzilla 2000 with Reid. It takes discipline to know this as well. =)

Am I ready for the true test of sanity? I guess we will find out…my personal belief is yea…no problem…bring it on. What do you think?

[Rain Gnosis]

My thought is, he *was* a nutjob. But you know, there's truth to the idea that genius and insanity aren't that far apart. I find it funny when people are a) afraid of Crowley, creeped out by him so much so that they refuse to look to his work, or ceremonialism as a whole or b) think Crowley's great and that people say he was a nut is jut a bunch of bs and rumours. Yes he did some crazy stuff, sure he wasn't the greatest role model in ways, and yet the guy was a genius. Plain and simple, brilliant. If people are afraid to look to his work (or ceremonialism as a whole) because he's "creepy" they miss out.

Balance is achievable, but not easily, especially if you push yourself - we have at least an entire lifetime to learn and yet we seek to achieve some goal asap - if you spend all day in meditation or in karate class, obviously you can't have a quality job and a family etc. You have to choose to balance them.

[Toad]

My thought is, he *was* a nutjob. But you know, there's truth to the idea that genius and insanity aren't that far apart. I find it funny when people are a) afraid of Crowley, creeped out by him so much so that they refuse to look to his work, or ceremonialism as a whole or b) think Crowley's great and that people say he was a nut is jut a bunch of bs and rumours. Yes he did some crazy stuff, sure he wasn't the greatest role model in ways, and yet the guy was a genius. Plain and simple, brilliant. If people are afraid to look to his work (or ceremonialism as a whole) because he's "creepy" they miss out.

Balance is achievable, but not easily, especially if you push yourself - we have at least an entire lifetime to learn and yet we seek to achieve some goal asap - if you spend all day in meditation or in karate class, obviously you can't have a quality job and a family etc. You have to choose to balance them.


Which reminds me...one of the keys to balance. In addition and equally important is patience. =)

[Rain Gnosis]

Back to the demons thing, another thing I was thinking - in psychology you learn people have a shadow self to which they attribute those things they don't like about themself. One thing that helps some people (and what I'm working at over the past several months) is realizing separating those things out and attributing them to a shadow self, then fighting that shadow self (ie. I want to be thin, my shadow self forces me to eat junk food) doesn't work because it's an illusion - you are just one self, to separate part of you out and fight it is fighting *yourself*. So instead, you have to accept those things (ie. your demons) as part of yourself, accept them, respect them, understand them, then work with them. You accept day *and* night, light *and* dark, male *and* female, so you should accept positive and negative, creative and destructive, active and receptive, etc. - each carefully and appropriately.

IMHO.

[Toad]

Back to the demons thing, another thing I was thinking - in psychology you learn people have a shadow self to which they attribute those things they don't like about themself. One thing that helps some people (and what I'm working at over the past several months) is realizing separating those things out and attributing them to a shadow self, then fighting that shadow self (ie. I want to be thin, my shadow self forces me to eat junk food) doesn't work because it's an illusion - you are just one self, to separate part of you out and fight it is fighting *yourself*. So instead, you have to accept those things (ie. your demons) as part of yourself, accept them, respect them, understand them, then work with them. You accept day *and* night, light *and* dark, male *and* female, so you should accept positive and negative, creative and destructive, active and receptive, etc. - each carefully and appropriately.

IMHO.


Man alive Rain...Duquette parallels this almost exactly. You have GOT to get a copy of The Magick of Thelema. If you cant for whatever reason tell me and I will get one sent to you on me. You NEED this book. Also another you really should look at from him is Angels, Demons and Gods of the New Millenium...brilliant work this.

[Toad]

Forgot to add...in addition to accepting and working with these demons. I am finding that some of my weakness can be my greatest assets. I believe its vitally important to embrace these aspects.

[Semele]

Sometimes I wonder if uncle Al didn’t have Jim Morrison itis...you know...'the prolonged derangement of the senses to achieve the unknown'.

Hey..back off Jim man!! WOuldn't it be that Jim had Uncle Al-itis anyway???



At least based on my limited understanding of Crowley…the man had a serious addiction problem. I have also come to see that for the most part Crowley didn’t want the spiritual path that he was given. (Mol turned me onto this – actually this explains burnt hotdogs Semele).

LOL!! If I had to count the number of burnt hotdogs in my married life..... LOL! At any rate I too, think he is right. I would even go so far as to speculate that his addictions came about as a direct result of his not quite comfortable with the path he was shown. However, he at one time thought he wanted this path or he would have never been on it. So some small part of him did want it, but the problem is that other parts did not...the balance thing again. Is there a little Crowley in you?



Am I ready for the true test of sanity? I guess we will find out…my personal belief is yea…no problem…bring it on. What do you think?

I think that perhaps each new level of magician improves upon this sanity balance. Levi and Crowley both had failed marriages and "interesting" agony, but intense knowledge that they shared with the next in line. Are we far enough down the line to avoid the major blunders? We can only wait and see I guess. But if you go nutso and get kicked out of your house, you can stay here, but Mol can not have religious or spiritual discussions anywhere near the grill. Also, thou shalt not spew forth beer from your body at a high rate of speed!

[Semele]

. If people are afraid to look to his work (or ceremonialism as a whole) because he's "creepy" they miss out.


I agree. There is much to be learned from him, however, I have a slight roadblock because I tend to focus more on his suffering and discomfort and intense anger. Being very empathetic and a healer by nature I tend to want to comfort his pains. Strangely enough his pain is a large part of who he was and what he accomplished...and what destroyed him. He went on a search to find what he very strongly felt he was to find..and when he found it and discovered that ultimately his life was not his own to live, but rather he was very much a vessel to be used..I think it infuriated him. I also think a small part of that anger is passed down from his lineage.

[Toad]

Hey..back off Jim man!! WOuldn't it be that Jim had Uncle Al-itis anyway???


Fair enough...it should be Al-itis. Dont get me wrong...I am a big Jim fan.



LOL!! If I had to count the number of burnt hotdogs in my married life..... LOL! At any rate I too, think he is right. I would even go so far as to speculate that his addictions came about as a direct result of his not quite comfortable with the path he was shown. However, he at one time thought he wanted this path or he would have never been on it. So some small part of him did want it, but the problem is that other parts did not...the balance thing again. Is there a little Crowley in you?

Agreed. I sure as hell didnt expect to be agreeing with Aleister Crowley when I started on this path...but yea...I will admit it. Uncle Al got his hooks into me something fierce!




I think that perhaps each new level of magician improves upon this sanity balance. Levi and Crowley both had failed marriages and "interesting" agony, but intense knowledge that they shared with the next in line. Are we far enough down the line to avoid the major blunders? We can only wait and see I guess. But if you go nutso and get kicked out of your house, you can stay here

LOL I sincerely appreciate the offer...lets hope I dont spin off. Honestly though...one of the Norwicki refrences to the Path of the Hearth Heart or whatever its called. I have a solid foundation in the real world. I have 3 lovelies and they are my true purpose here. The are my responsibility and they are my lifes work. Everything else is a means to educate and protect them. Through them I am complete...nothing…and I do mean nothing will pull me from that path. Whatever else you think of Norwicki…she nailed that bit…that path is essential.


but Mol can not have religious or spiritual discussions anywhere near the grill. Also, thou shalt not spew forth beer from your body at a high rate of speed!

Ok I will give you the grill thing and will follow your decree to the letter…even if I have to tackle him. As for the spewing of beer…bless you sweet woman…but as my wife can attest…I am want to spew beer at any time for any reason…though I will promise not to soil the carpet. (or I will loan you our carpet cleaner =)). :lol: Honestly…that was so embarrassing…I will try not to inhale the beer next time…no promises though.

And Mol…thanks for sharing that one! I owe ya one buddy.
:razz:

[Semele]

Forgot to add...in addition to accepting and working with these demons. I am finding that some of my weakness can be my greatest assets. I believe its vitally important to embrace these aspects.

Recently I have been seeing things exactly in reverese. Aspects that I thought were pros are turning out to present themselves as a weakness or a hurdle to overcome. for instance the healing need I have. I want to shield everyone from all pain and in doing that or attempting to do so, it ends up doing more harm than good. We need to experience pains to grow.

[Toad]

Recently I have been seeing things exactly in reverese. Aspects that I thought were pros are turning out to present themselves as a weakness or a hurdle to overcome. for instance the healing need I have. I want to shield everyone from all pain and in doing that or attempting to do so, it ends up doing more harm than good. We need to experience pains to grow.

AMEN sister Semele!

[Rain Gnosis]

Too much Chesed, yes? Oh I need to memorize my sephiroth better :)

[Semele]

Too much Chesed, yes? Oh I need to memorize my sephiroth better :)

LOL! PErhaps..or not enough Da'ath.

[Toad]

Definetly not enough Da'ath :lol:

[Semele]

AMEN sister Semele!

Wow that made me feel so...catholic! :wtf:

Thank you brother Toad..which incidentaly makes you sound..amphibious! :antennae:


And you can spew beer anytime. Some day i will be unpregnant and can spew along with ya!:drinking:

[Grey]

Here is a good site I found with the names of many many angels, perhaps youll find something here

http://www.sarahsarchangels.com/angelofday/angelofday.html

[mol]

And you can spew beer anytime. Some day i will be unpregnant and can spew along with ya!:drinking:

Just make sure I am not standing right in front of you two this time.

[Toad]

Just make sure I am not standing right in front of you two this time.


Man...I tried to miss you...honest.

You can spew at me Tuesday...its only fair after all. Hell we can BOTH spew on my house if you like.

[mol]

Man...I tried to miss you...honest.

You can spew at me Tuesday...its only fair after all. Hell we can BOTH spew on my house if you like.
LMAO. I will remember that!

[PsiloMagick]

in my experiences (mushies) first 3 of them came to me (light beings/protectors/guides) in the shower and surrounded me. As I got to know them they finally showed me the secret. They guided me to the heaven realm. I now want to invite them to my circle but wouldn't know how to go about doing that. How would one in/evoke. Any info appreciated.

[Zaniah]

in my experiences (mushies) first 3 of them came to me (light beings/protectors/guides) in the shower and surrounded me. As I got to know them they finally showed me the secret. They guided me to the heaven realm. I now want to invite them to my circle but wouldn't know how to go about doing that. How would one in/evoke. Any info appreciated.

Personally my method is best described by the book Ask Your Angels by Alma Daniel et. al. The cover looks fluffy but the book is fantastic. I'm not at all drawn to high magick and I found this was a practical substitute that works for me.

PsiloMagick, in that they have already come to you, could you not simply meditate inside your circle to reach out to them and invite them in? You don't necessarily need to invoke/evoke them if you already have a relationship with them. Thoughts?

(This is my second post today. I guess I'm feeling talkative, since I'm often silent... O.o)

Love and Light.

[mol]

in my experiences (mushies) first 3 of them came to me (light beings/protectors/guides) in the shower and surrounded me. As I got to know them they finally showed me the secret. They guided me to the heaven realm. I now want to invite them to my circle but wouldn't know how to go about doing that. How would one in/evoke. Any info appreciated.
Invoke/evoke what? Who were the beings that visited you. Did you recieve any message from them...maybe a hint of who or what they were?

[Gwynna Starr]

Here is a good site I found with the names of many many angels, perhaps youll find something here

http://www.sarahsarchangels.com/angelofday/angelofday.html


Thanks! This looks very thorough.

[Rain Gnosis]

Toadieo - what did you come up with in regards to ways to contact your HGA?

[Toad]

Toadieo - what did you come up with in regards to ways to contact your HGA?


Toadieo? heh =)

Well basically my research has led me to the conclusion that there are as many ways of contacting your HGA as there are magicians.

I have read and studied the biggies, Liber Samekh (I highly recommend Lon Milo Duquette’s distillation of this operation in ‘Magick of the Thelema’), and Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage. Truthfully both of these operations are so overwhelming that I don’t ever see myself even attempting them as written.

There are several other accounts of other magicians devising their own operations. I have found these a somewhat interesting read but in all honesty they are not all together very helpful. I am also quite lucky in that I have a new friend and fellow magician that has achieved the knowledge and conversation with their HGA. Even with this, I have been able to draw encouragement and some guidance but we have not discussed mechanics (honestly I haven’t asked and they haven’t volunteered).



I wonder how many of you have heard of ‘The Almadel of Solomon’? The Almadel of Solomon is a book of the Lemegeton Compendium. I first read about it from Poke Runyon’s book – “The Book of Soloman’s Magick”. According to the Lemegeton version of the Almadel…it was a table top device made from wax. The Almadel was suspended several inches above the altar surface by candles that would extend through the wax tablet at its four corners. In the center of the tablet a crystal sphere would be placed…surrounding the sphere holes would be made in the wax tablet. These holes would allow incense smoke from a small incense burner below the crystal and tablet to billow up and encircle the crystal creating a hypnotic effect.

The whole purpose of this device was to invoke the Almadel Angels which according to the Lemegeton controlled the spirits of the Goetia.

In ‘The Book of Solomon’s Magick’ Poke makes one hell of a case for using a modified version of this device as a mandatory preliminary phase to any Goetia evocation. He suggests a process to invoke the 4 archangels – Raphael, Gabriel, Michael, and Auriel in the center crystal. Poke used this exact invocation process when he contacted his Holy Guardian Angel. He also adamantly maintains that the magician MUST successfully invoke the 4 archangels into the crystal before he even begins to think of any Goetia evocations. The archangels are invoked first to protect the Mage. Poke even suggests that if the mage was to successfully evoke Goetia spirits without the archangels on the magician’s side is akin to opening Pandora’s Box.

I reference this as this post and its information were the first step in where I am today. I have used Poke’s process (I will be happy to write up the operation if there is interest) which is basically LBRP, Middle Pillar (modified), Invoking Hexagram ritual, followed by tratakam (self hypnosis) and chanting. All of this using modified altar based on the Almadel table. I posted pics of what this looks like from the operator perspective in here:

http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=33921

Look at Post 11

To date I have attempted two archangel invocations (Michael and Gabriel)…in both instances the invocation was successful, powerful and truly life altering.

As I am becoming familiar with this operation and I am already having success with this process I will use this as a framework when I attempt to gain the knowledge and conversation of my HGA. Honestly though…I am not quite ready to attempt this…I have more work to do.

If you have more questions…I will be happy to answer them to the best of my ability. =)

[Toad]

Back to the demons thing, another thing I was thinking - in psychology you learn people have a shadow self to which they attribute those things they don't like about themself. One thing that helps some people (and what I'm working at over the past several months) is realizing separating those things out and attributing them to a shadow self, then fighting that shadow self (ie. I want to be thin, my shadow self forces me to eat junk food) doesn't work because it's an illusion - you are just one self, to separate part of you out and fight it is fighting *yourself*. So instead, you have to accept those things (ie. your demons) as part of yourself, accept them, respect them, understand them, then work with them. You accept day *and* night, light *and* dark, male *and* female, so you should accept positive and negative, creative and destructive, active and receptive, etc. - each carefully and appropriately.
IMHO.


Rain -

Just reading through this again after some time away from it. This is a fantastic post!

[Exloration_La]

This kind of spawns me to another revelation that I have had. I will probably muck it up in text...but I am going to give it hell anyway. :rolleyes:

First let me say that the study of qabalah thus far as led me to believe that I am divine. I am a microcosmic version of deity. Within me are all things for I am a part of all things.

Take for example goetic evocation. Some would scream that goetic evocation is evil...that I am summoning demons from hell. My answer is yea...so. ;) I would be summoning demons but not from some place...but from within my own mind. Duquette said it best - "It’s all in your mind...you just have no idea how big a place your mind is" These demons are simply traits…or parts of every one of us that deity let fall for whatever reason. They are inside each of us. Each of them affects us daily…and goetic evocation is a means to master them.

In ‘The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abra-Melin the Mage’ (written in 1458 by Abraham the Jew…we are told that everyone of us has a unique HGA and until we have conversation with this entity we do not have the equipment or the means to even comprehend its nature.

To again quote Duquette:



(BTW – I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who is interested in CM…especially contacting the HGA.)

I also find it interesting that in ‘The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abra-Melin the Mage’ the first thing the magician does after contacting his HGA is to contact the ‘Four great Princes of Evil’. Then the next day the 8 sub-princes and so on until the entire population of the infernal realms has sworn allegiance and obedience to the new HGA aware mage.

As Duquette says…we don’t live in a vacum – as above so below. In other words once you have made contact with the HGA…you must balance yourself by redeeming, controling and training these demons (that are part of each of us) so that they don’t not resurface as soon as the HGA presence is lessened.

So to answer your question Rain…yes I think the HGA is a part of the magicians higher self.

That is cool. That sounds like what I was getting at in my thread here:

The real truth about Ouija boards / Talking boards

http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=164170

[plumedsnake]

Another thought occurred to me…it was spawned by the Duquette quote above.

I think that we can all readily point to similarities to all of the world’s religions. There are certain parts of all religions that are in essence the same principle even if the words vary a bit.

I am quite curious about the corollary between the Thelemic ‘Conversation with the HGA’ and the Christian’s ‘Acceptance of Jesus Christ as their savior’. Is this the same thing in essence?

I do believe that religion is only One thing and that all the 'different' religionism of the world are derivations (some more pure, others more corrupt) of that Religion.

From my understanding of the HGA, it is christ (who abides in us and us in him). In the yoruba tradition of Ifa he is called Ori. He is the real you, me. He is one yet he manifests as the multiple infinite varieties of entities. It follows that while there is only one God, God as he is experienced by you cannot apply to God as he is experienced by me. Christ, ie my experience of divinity, is MY true path to God. He is the way the Truth and the Light. And no one can know God except through him. The official, orthodox interpretations and presentation of an institution's christ is a wrong path. In fact it is not a Christ at all, but an ANTICHRIST. It's effect is the total inverse of what Christ's is. It turns you away from what abides within.

Without Ori/Christ/HGA we cannot control any of the forces of the universe because the forces of the universe will recognise only his authority. There is another self. The neurotic Ego that attempts to wield his power. This Neurotic plonker is actually quite ingenuous in replicating the effects, but he always falls short. His primary concern is the appearance of things. He must appear Heroic and worthy of adulation. In order to achieve this, he must suppress all those forces of the universe that expose him to be less than what he claims. These are what are called the Demons. The device he uses is what we call costume, or masquerade. The thing about Masquerades is that they are a showing off/ a display, yet at the same time they are a concealing, a covering up. Clothes selectively enhance certain aspects of your being/personality while simultaneously hiding others. Yet Truth is a marriage of contrarieties and not this false separation.

This concern with the appearance of things, and the attendant fear that the cover will be blown, is the basis for the neurotic psychology of most human beings throughout the ages. The first step of religion then is simple, yet surprisingly so difficult. It is basically a letting go. A dropping out of the neurosis. A relaxation. Islam means submission. Let process happen. it is actually an undulation. A going down and a rising up. downturns and upturns. It all boils down to Trust. You've got to trust God/your HGA. Don't get panicked by the apparent turbulence around. Go down into that Valley of the Shadow of Death and fear no evil. Lost your job? it's a blessing. Lost your girl? Praise God. Lost your car? How wonderful!

This letting go is very much the essence of many sacrificial rituals. The knowledge is that from each death comes a rebirth, Each loss comes a new found gain, from each downturn there will result an upturn. So we've got to stop clinging onto stuff whether it's our image, or our possessions or whatnot. The key revelation of Christ consciousness is that whosoever clings on to his life will lose it, but whosoever is prepared to lose his life will find a greater life. So have no fears, be free and give those poor demons a break.

As regards contacting the HGA, not to knock the elaborate rituals cos they have their purposes but really, all it takes is a sincere prayer to get the process going.