#Modern Thelema

[hadit93]

Some Thoughts on the Future of Thelemic Magick

It is my opinion that the Thelemic movement has been largely stagnant in terms of growth and development since the death of Aleister Crowley in 1947. This is not to say there have been no developments or innovative thinkers at all, simply that the majority do not question the documents Crowley penned and believe or ignore any other developments in occultism, magick, and academia.

One thing which needs to be adapted in the new aeon is the training of the order of AA. The guidelines were written over 100 years ago and were largely based on the Golden Dawn system and some rudimentary understanding of raja yoga. The fact is we know much more about both of these systems and understand much more about magical systems in general. People focus too much on the specific practices rather than the experiences these practices are meant to bring about. Not everyone will be able to use the original AA instructions and make them work, there are other methods and what matters is the experience gained rather than the work needed to get there.

Another thing I believe needs to go is the hierarchical system of magical orders. Every man and every woman is a star, the law is for all. There are no magical secrets anymore, and quite frankly those who are ill prepared to use certain techniques will not get very far to begin with. There is no need for pompous titles and secret handshakes. Kill it with fire.

I also believe utilising the tree of life as a structure for initiation is problematic. It just doesn't work in my opinion and is an idea developed by the Golden Dawn that needn't continue on into the modern day. People need to track their development, yes. But do people really need to be stuck in the relator grade because they can't hold an asana without moving for an hour? It makes for a pointless exercise. I believe everyone should try to master an asana, but why assign this to one grade? Especially when the elemental initiations were scrapped by Crowley?

I believe Jerry Cornelius was the first to propose a three grade system based on Liber Legis: The Man of Earth, The Lover, and the Hermit. He mapped these roughly to Neophyte, Adept, and Magister Templi. That is the first work is to prepare the temple for the Angel, to analyse the Self and master the Self. This is the work of the man of Earth- to become a stable foundation. The work of the lover is to attain knowledge and conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel which in the Thelemic system (as opposed to the Abramelin system from where the term comes) means achieving samadhi and a connection to the interface with the God head. The work of the hermit is to cross the abyss which I will not speak on because I have no real experience of this.

Crowley recognised that people needed to find their own ways to these goals very early on. In fact a lot of the time people did not go through the AA grades officially. They had an experience and Crowley recognised this as appropriate for a specific grade. Not everyone is going to forge a link to the angel with ritual, for some it will be devotional work and yoga, for others they want to invoke beings and have all the visuals, and others will find prayer to be a valuable tool. The AA has instructions in all of these, but to assume you need to master all of them is a false assumption and just makes life hard.

Something else that needs to be addressed is the people who have blinders on when it comes to developments in magick after Crowley. For example, his instructions on Astral projection are not great, they require further instruction and we have so many more tools at our disposal now that makes the whole process easier. Not to mention lucid dreaming research which can make entry into the astral during sleep easier and allow for the same during waking hours. There are countless books published by mystics and psychologists alike. Why not use them?

In terms of evocation we know Crowley's Goetia is the worst edition, and it wasn't even Crowleys (but that's another story)! We now know the roots of such practices and we hopefully have grown past the idea that chthonic spirits are evil and dirty. We have hopefully gone past the notion that all things must be, or even can be, banished before a magical working takes place. 

We must be past the idea that Crowley had mastered the Golden Dawn system, he had not. Crowley was also not really a practicing magician for the majority of his magical career. As soon as he found sex magick, that was his focus. Therefore whilst he was certainly knowledgeable, he was not the authority on the Golden Dawn system and modern adepts of that system should certainly be listened to as they have the benefit of receiving decades worth of teachings and information from people who actually practiced the system consistently for most of their lives.

Finally, and most importantly, we surely do not believe Crowley is the only prophet of the new age? The only magician who receives communications? The only one worth listening to? We must get past this, the point of magic is to establish communication with spiritual forces, why would the words of Crowley be placed on a pedestal above all others? I am not showing disrespect for Liber Legis or any of the other so-called 'holy books' but I also do not treat them like sacred scripture. I think it is ridiculous alongside any religious aspect applied to Thelema. Crowleyanity is an abomination.

I do not believe the time for instruction is over, I do believe magical orders are on the decline and this is because of their own stagnation. I believe the student-teacher relationship to be necessary not only to the student but also to the teacher. They keep each other aware of their own bullshit. They also question each other, challenge each other, and ultimately help each other to grow. This being said, I believe such relationships should come about naturally as opposed to being manufactured by the pairing up of individuals at random via an email list.

In short, I believe Thelema needs to change and in particular the orders of Thelema need to change quickly because they will cease to exist. Once they cease to exist Thelema will also decline and will be gone by the end of the current century. This would be a shame as many of the modern magical movements are drenched in Thelema, but Thelema at its core is a beautiful mystical philosophy that can inform an individual of their own sovereignty and their own course amongst the stars.

[astra-ravana]

The Faerie Star

The seven-pointed star or Faerie Star is an emerging symbol in contemporary magick. It is most often used to represent the worlds of Faerie. It can be displayed as a protective shield, a powerful talisman, a focal point for meditation, or a symbol of the Shining Realms.

The seven-pointed star is called a septagram, septegram, or heptagram. This glyph has had mystical associations for centuries, probably longer, since the number seven is important in many spiritual traditions around the world.

Medieval alchemists used the seven-pointed star to stand for the seven alchemical metals and their corresponding planets. But it can also stand for the seven colors, the seven days of the week, the seven musical notes, the Seven Sisters (Pleiades), the seven chakras, or any of the many sacred things that come in groups of seven. In Hermetic Qabalah, the septagram can represent the sphere of Netzach and the corresponding planet of Venus. Aleister Crowley also chose a septagram as the Seal of Babylon, the Great Mother and Sacred Whore of Thelema.

The septagram, because it has an odd number of points, can be traced in a continuous line. Its unbroken form helps give the star its identity as a symbol of eternity.

The Faerie Star is most often shown as a continuous figure with elongated points. No one can really say how or when the motif became incorporated into modern Paganism, but it is now a common sight in books, on jewelry, and on altar tools. Many practitioners use the Faerie Star instead of, or in addition to, the familiar five-pointed pentagram. Some say that the seven-pointed star reflects planetary (celestial) magick, while the pentagram encompasses magick of the elements and the earth.

[maeviuslynn]

Happy Greater Feast to Aleister Crowley!

A "greater feast" is Thelema refers to the celebration of one's death. A "lesser feast" refers to one's birth. To quote the Book of the Law, "…a feast for life and a greater feast for death!" AL II:41.

This modern holiday is not one of the official ones called for in the Book of the Law, but people still like to celebrate it with food and reading some of Crowley's poetry.

Aleister Crowley asked for his friends in England to get together a year after he died and celebrate with a curry dinner. And they did that. Gerald York, Frieda Lady Harris, and others got together at Gerald York's place and had a curry feast. Many Thelemites in the modern day choose to carry on this tradition. I know my household will be having curry tonight!

[talonabraxas]

“Oh, how superior is the Eye of Horus to the Mouth of Isis!” — Aleister Crowley Aeon of Horus Talon Abraxas

The modern Aeon of Horus, with our times of self-realization as well as a growing interest in all things spiritual, is considered to be dominated by the Principle of the Child. The Word of its Law is Thelema (will) which is complimented by Agape (love), and its formula is Abrahadabra. Individuality and finding the "True Will" are the dominant aspects; its formula is that of growth, in consciousness and love, toward self-realization.

Of the Aeon of Horus, Crowley writes:

the crowned and conquering child, who dieth not, nor is reborn, but goeth radiant ever upon His Way. Even so goeth the Sun: for as it is now known that night is but the shadow of the Earth, so Death is but the shadow of the Body, that veileth his Light from its bearer. (Heart of the Master)

And also:

The Aeon of Horus is here: and its first flower may well be this: that, freed of the obsession of the doom of the Ego in Death, and of the limitation of the Mind by Reason, the best men again set out with eager eyes upon the Path of the Wise, the mountain track of the goat, and then the untrodden Ridge, that leads to the ice-gleaming pinnacles of Mastery! (Little Essays Towards Truth, "Mastery")

[pigeonflavouredcake]

How to organise a grimoire

This is how I've decided to organise my grimoire now that I'm digitising it. I thought this may be of some benefit to other autistic/dyslexic practioners by sharing how my brain likes to formulate things. The trick is to categorise.

I have one large category I'm calling the chapter and every chapter has a number of categories within it and smaller sub categories underneath each one.

So my brain basically works like a russian nesting doll or like a very messy spider diagram. Organising it this way helps me to stay on track and stops me from getting overwhelmed. (I used this method in all my university essays and it helped push my grade up a lot).

I'm not writing it in any specific order but here's a list of what I've completed so far. Please feel free to take any of these. I hope this helps you with your own grimoire writing.

Theory 📚

Terminology

Paganism: historical context. Modern context. Core values.

New Age Spirituality: Development. Capitalism. Modern Example.

Cultural Appropriation: What it is. How it happens. How to avoid it. List of closed practices and red flags.

Wicca: What it is. How it's practiced. Gerald Gardner. Criticisms.

Thelema: Aleister Crowley. Development (egyptomania). Criticisms.

Conspiracy Theories: Development (root cause). Dangers. Examples. List of spiritual conspiracies. List of antisemitic stereotypes and propaganda.

Cults: What are they. How are they dangerous. How to recognise one (B.I.T.E model). List of religious/spiritual cults.

Satanic Panic: Historical development to our current satanic panic. The 1980's moral panic. Christian persecution complex.

KJV: Who was King James. The creation of the KJV. The KJO movement (evangelical and Christian fundamentalism. American Folk magic)

Witches in context: The modern witch. The post-modern witch. Historical context (England. Ancient Greece. Ireland).

Cats in context: Modern context. Familiars. Historical context (Egypt. Greece. China. England).

Transphobia: the idea behind terfism. How to recognise a terf. Examples of Terfism in spirituality (Lister). Dispelling myths and Misinformation.

Queerness: Erasure and queerphobia. Why queer people gravitate to witchcraft/paganism/Wicca. Examples (intersex. Gay relationships. Lesbian relationships. Asexuality).

Practical Basics 🔮

Terminology

Health and Safety: Fire. Smoke. Essential Oils. Toxicity. Wound Care. Biohazards.

How to make a magical space: What they are. Different types. Tools and their uses.

Grimoire/Book of Shadows: What they are. The differences. Different Formats. The Front cover.

Cleansing: What it is. What its used for. Examples.

Grounding: What it is. What its used for. Examples.

Protection: What it is. What its used for. Examples.

Intuition: What it is. What its used for. Developing it. Examples.

Discernment: What it is. What its used for. Steps of discernment (from a Christian perspective. From a secular perspective). Psychosis.

The Year and the holidays: Samhain. Yule. Wassailing. Imbolc. Spring Equinox. Beltaine. Summer Solstice. Lughnasadh. Autumn Equinox. (Historical development. How they're celebrated).

Deity Worship: Scientific Context (Neuroscience of Religiosity). Spiritual Context. Worship Vs working with. Finding a deity. Your religious rights. Critiquing your religious path. For example ↓

Hellenism: Historical context (Wars. Colonisation. Slavery. Citizenship. Pederasty). Modern Context (White washing. Transphobia).

Your Deities (if you choose to have any): Iconography. Mythology. Associations. Offerings.

Spirits: Ghosts. Shadow people. Demons (what they are. fear and labelling. History Vs pop culture). The Warrens (history. Criticisms). Other folklore.

Practical Magic ✨

I have a lot more planned for this section.

Terminology

Divination: What it is. What its used for. List of types and tools. For example ↓

Tarot: Structure of the tarot deck. Historical context. Modern Context. The fool and you.

Basic Astrology: What it is. Historical Context. Signs. Planets. Houses. Reading a natal chart.

Colour Magic: Basic colour theory. Symbolism. Practical application.

Correspondence 🌿

When there's a long list of items and spiritual meanings/applications I keep it in this section at the back of my grimoire.

Colours

Symbols

The Classic Elements

Astrology

Stones

Herbs and Spices (kitchen cupboard specific)

Common plants in your area (invasive and non invasive)

Seasonal fruit and vegetables

Miscellaneous laws and philosophies

[angelap3]

Nel greco antico i termini utilizzati per definire i vari sensi con cui attualmente si usa la parola “amore” sono in maggior numero e perciò più precisi, rispetto alle molte lingue moderne.

• Agape (αγάπη) è amore di ragione, incondizionato, anche non ricambiato, spesso con riferimenti religiosi: è la parola usata nei vangeli.

• Philia (φιλία) è l’amore di affetto e piacere, di cui ci si aspetta un ritorno, ad esempio tra amici.

• Eros (έρως) definisce l’amore sessuale.

• Anteros (αντέρως) è l’amore corrisposto.

• Himeros è la passione del momento, il desiderio fisico presente e immediato che chiede di essere soddisfatto.

• Pothos è il desiderio verso cui tendiamo, ciò che sogniamo.

• Stοrge (στοργή) è l’amore d’appartenenza, ad esempio tra parenti e consanguinei.

• Thelema (θέλημα) è il piacere di fare qualcosa, il desiderio voler fare.

Quanto mi sarebbe piaciuto fare il classico...

(Angela P.)

[sovaghoul]

"Aleister Crowley was an English occultist born on October 12, 1875. He was best known as a ceremonial magician, painter, novelist, and mountaineer who also founded the modern religion of Thelema. Crowley identified himself as a prophet entrusted with leading humanity into the Æon of Horus, a time of self-realization and spiritual awakening in the first half of the 20th century. Today, he is still a widely prominent figure in Western esotericism, and his influence has been studied and reviewed by many scholars, as well as widely documented."

Source

Crowley has been a very strong influence to Tobias as well, especially this era.

The song Call Me Little Sunshine is also a direct Crowley reference:

"The title of the song is a reference to the British occultist, Aleister Crowley. When Crowley was in court in the 1930s, pursuing a libel case, he was asked by the judge to explain why he called himself "The Beast 666." He replied that the number 666 simply means "sunlight." "You can call me Little Sunshine," he told the judge."

Source

[alephskoteinos]

"Christians who practice magic aren't Christians" is in itself an interesting argument, not just because one has to ask "well what else would they be?" but because I have to wonder what they have to say about members of other religions who "break the rules".

And yeah, I have asked in the past "why would Christians practice magic if magic was considered sinful by Christianity?". That's what makes the reality of lived Christianity a contradiction. That's kind of what makes Christianity a mess. But Christians did sometimes practice magic, we have a lot of evidence for that fact, and in fact probably the majority of pre-modern organised systems of occultism were in some way based on Christianity. We don't have to like that, and indeed I'd argue that this fact itself colours the real struggle that underwrites the modern occult revival: to break away from the hegemony of Christianity in all areas, including occultism. In this sense, Thelema, Satanism, modern witchcraft, and various newly emerging non-Christian occult movements and reconstructions all should be understood as almost inherently revolutionary. But it is what it is, and as usual the people who understand this the least are Christians.

[kiki-de-la-petite-flaque]

Francisco de Zurbaran, Allegory of charity (Detail), 1655.

Nel greco antico i termini utilizzati per definire i vari sensi con cui attualmente si usa la parola “amore” sono in maggior numero e perciò più precisi, rispetto alle molte lingue moderne.

• Agape (αγάπη) è amore di ragione, incondizionato, anche non ricambiato, spesso con riferimenti religiosi: è la parola usata nei vangeli.

• Philia (φιλία) è l’amore di affetto e piacere, di cui ci si aspetta un ritorno, ad esempio tra amici.

• Eros (έρως) definisce l’amore sessuale.

• Anteros (αντέρως) è l’amore corrisposto.

• Himeros è la passione del momento, il desiderio fisico presente e immediato che chiede di essere soddisfatto.

• Pothos è il desiderio verso cui tendiamo, ciò che sogniamo.

• Stοrge (στοργή) è l’amore d’appartenenza, ad esempio tra parenti e consanguinei.

• Thelema (θέλημα) è il piacere di fare qualcosa, il desiderio voler fare.

[hadit93]

Frustrations with Modern Thelema.

A couple of days ago I proclaimed that Thelema as a spiritual movement was dead, inert, and dull as dishwater. This was perhaps a harsh critique, but it cannot be denied that the majority of Thelemic circles have become stagnant, simply parroting Crowley instead of thinking for themselves. I do not believe Thelema as a current is dead. Thelema as a magical paradigm is very much so alive, vibrant, and filled with life. The issue is: Few people are willing to truly engage with it. Thelema is for all, but at some point upon engaging with it sheep will have to become wolves, the sleeping will have to become the awake; people will have to think for themselves.

My irritations with Thelemites have been going on for some time, you get into a discussion and if you say something they don’t like, they have a Crowley quote to back their ideas up and believe this is enough to shut your opinion down. Half of the time there is another Crowley quote that contradicts theirs because he often changed his mind, as we are all apt to do over the course of our lives. Not every word he penned was golden, some of it certainly was brilliant, other things were less…..sublime. 

Furthermore, we know a lot more about historical practices now, we know a lot more about the Golden Dawn practices, and yoga. Crowley certainly synthesised numerous currents into his magical system that was born out of and permeates the Thelemic current, but there were resources which were simply not available at the time. To ignore these advances in occultism is ridiculous. To follow any system unquestionably and without trying to find the best fit for the individual is ridiculous. Crowley died nearly 80 years ago, the world was a very different place, the magical world was a very different place, and I believe Thelema was written down by Crowley for us as Thelemites to develop. My question is: Where is that development today? There are a few notable people making innovations; however, the majority are still practicing magic blind to all that has come before and after Crowley.

Then we have the magick is simply psychological exercises designed to calm you down camp. Performing banishing rituals instead of smoking a cigarette. I don’t understand when Thelema began to have the magic and spirit stripped out of it, but it needs to stop. I am sick to my teeth of seeing Crowley quoted that spirits are part of the brain. I don’t care what he said at that time. He was young, inexperienced, and going through a stage of atheism. It is apparent from his life, his diaries, and his later thoughts that Crowley believed in the spiritual world, in discarnate entities, and in magic. His life would have perhaps ended in much more luxury and comfort if he didn’t believe in the spiritual. 

To all the Thelemites who ridicule me, asking “You actually believe in spirits?” Yes, yes I do. I do not proclaim to understand what they are, or even how they function. But my experiences dictate to me that there is something ‘other’ going on when magic is performed with external entities. Too many weird things have happened in a magical circle for me to simply put it down to a psychological projection. In fact, treating these things as a psychological protection can be dangerous at times in my opinion. Furthermore, if you are practicing magic as a form of therapy, just get therapy! You will save time and money. 

Again, I have plenty of experience, and it is my experience that I use as guidance in my own path. I have read almost everything Crowley has written: the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have engaged with Thelema for over a decade, I have been involved in AA, I have studied with other Thelemites, and I have practiced all that time. I have also practiced other traditions, found common ground, and related it back to Thelemic philosophy. I do not need Crowley’s words to back up my opinions any more, and his words will also not undo my opinions either. Especially when his words are misunderstood by the masses, who fail to comprehend his meaning and equally fail to understand his sarcasm. 

So what am I going to do to tackle this problem? To stop the stagnation of this spiritual movement? I cannot moan about it and then proceed to do nothing. I am going to start writing again, I will start sharing my ideas and my practices again. I stopped because the hate I was getting was simply not worth it. I don’t live a dramatic life, I would rather not argue with strangers on the internet. I have much better things to do with my time. So I shall respond to the hate with the most powerful magic of all: silence. 

[coinandcandle]

Occult Topics to Look Into

This is less of a witchy post and more of an occultist post. While they do tend to mingle, most of these topics should not be viewed as things to incorporate into your practice.

These are meant to be read and researched with a discerning eye and a solid ability to understand context and nuance so keep that in mind.

General Topics

Alchemy (history of + modern) Sacred-text's Alchemy index

Victorian Spiritualism & Occultism

Theosophy (Sacred-text's Theosophy Index)

Thelema (Sacred-text's Thelema Index)

Hermes Trismegistus

Philosophy (history of + modern)

Books/Texts

Jakob Böhme's The Signature of All Things

Agrippa's Philosophy of Occult Magic

Francis Barrett's The Magus

Manly P. Hall's Secret Teachings of All Ages

People

Austin Osman Spare

Éliphas Lévi

Paracelsus

Roger Bacon

John Dee

HP Blavatsky

Henry Cornelius Agrippa

[leviiackrman]

OTPS/OCS AS TAROT PAIRS;

I was tagged by my angels @corvosattano @jackiesarch @marivenah + @simonxriley to use this uquiz for some otps, thank you sm my darlings ily all sm!🤍

Tagging: @sstewyhosseini @risingsh0t @florbelles @unholymilf @confidentandgood @chuckhansen @queennymeria @shadowglens @feypacts @roofgeese @arklay @jinfromyarikawa @jillvalentinesday @fenharel @morvaris @shellibisshe @faerune @mrdekarios @thedeadthree @heroofpenamstan @arthrmorgann @solasan @alexxmason @cybilbennettgf + @captastra

THE TWO OF CUPS + THE STAR;

your romance is a wish granted. finally, finally, they're here. finally, *it's* here! the time where you don't have to feel lonely anymore - you'll never feel that way ever again. laughter, joy, sweetness, kisses - be at ease. all of these are things you have found someone to share with. your love is a dreamy fantasy of love and devotion and miracles. at first, your chest gets too tight when they're around - until they become as natural as the air in your lungs. deck: ethereal visions tarot.

THE KNIGHT OF PENTACLES + THE MAGICIAN;

if there's something you want, you will GET IT. nothing escapes your fingertips. after all, you're the power couple. your pairing sparks pure cosmic energy. you're fiercely driven to your goals - whether that be status, fortune, or power. you're also fiercely protective of one another. with the knight's earthy energy, you both prefer to purposefully make your way towards your ambitions, rather than playing cards too early or acting too loosely. meanwhile, the magician's half makes gives you a little fire. if they get too close, onlookers and threats to your relationship may get burned. deck: modern witch tarot.

THE DEVIL + THE EMPEROR;

there's only one religion for the two of you, and that religion is the other. you two are very nearly unhealthily obsessed with one another, and that's just how you like it. when they touch you, they can feel the blood pumping under the surface of your skin. your hearts beat for one another. when the day comes that one stops, the other will soon after. until then, you both will live out your lives in perfect, gothy paradise. deck: the tarot of vampyres.

THE TOWER + THE LOVERS;

meeting this person shook your whole world. crumbling down is everything you thought you knew about life and love. their warmth, their generosity, their naivete, their knowing...! you don't know how anything made sense before them. all you know is that nothing will make sense afterwards. deck: the tarot of the divine by yoshi yoshitani.

THE TWO OF CUPS + THE STAR;

your romance is a wish granted. finally, finally, they're here. finally, *it's* here! the time where you don't have to feel lonely anymore - you'll never feel that way ever again. laughter, joy, sweetness, kisses - be at ease. all of these are things you have found someone to share with. your love is a dreamy fantasy of love and devotion and miracles. at first, your chest gets too tight when they're around - until they become as natural as the air in your lungs. deck: ethereal visions tarot.

ACE OF CUPS + TEN OF CUPS;

your romance is the love story that seems only possible in movies. it starts from a youthful first meeting, innocent. and from what may seem like a lifetime later, you both end up happily in union, perhaps even married! your coupling is the epitome of emotional fulfillment and devotion. neither of you thought you'd end up here, but damn if you aren't glad you did. deck: thelema tarot.

[maeviuslynn]

I felt like I needed to make this video. It's an exploration of what the "Scarlet Woman" means in Thelema. It gets into what it is by definition, how Crowley viewed it, and issues with modern interpretations. I also get into an exploration of what the "Book of the Law" says about the Scarlet Woman and what it means for Thelemite women today.

[nightwingshero]

Ships as Tarot Cards

I was tagged by @alexxmason @sstewyhosseini @simonxriley @jillvalentinesday @marivenah to take this uquiz for my ships. Thank you lovelies!

Tagging: @ghastlyrider @pen-in-hand @oathofoaksart @water-writings @voidika @inafieldofdaisies @madparadoxum @shegetsburned @chazz-anova @marivenah @glowwormsmith @playstationmademe @deputyash @poisonedtruth @aceghosts @braveonionknight @jinfromyarikawa @anonymousmalkavian @pheedraws and anyone else who wishes to participate. I apologize if you've already been tagged, I'm a little late to the game.

Wren x Leon

the two of cups + the star

your romance is a wish granted. finally, finally, they're here. finally, *it's* here! the time where you don't have to feel lonely anymore - you'll never feel that way ever again. laughter, joy, sweetness, kisses - be at ease. all of these are things you have found someone to share with. your love is a dreamy fantasy of love and devotion and miracles. at first, your chest gets too tight when they're around - until they become as natural as the air in your lungs. deck: ethereal visions tarot.

Athera x Solas

knight of pentacles + the magician

if there's something you want, you will GET IT. nothing escapes your fingertips. after all, you're the power couple. your pairing sparks pure cosmic energy. you're fiercely driven to your goals - whether that be status, fortune, or power. you're also fiercely protective of one another. with the knight's earthy energy, you both prefer to purposefully make your way towards your ambitions, rather than playing cards too early or acting too loosely. meanwhile, the magician's half makes gives you a little fire. if they get too close, onlookers and threats to your relationship may get burned. deck: modern witch tarot.

Evune x Cullen

the tower + the lovers

meeting this person shook your whole world. crumbling down is everything you thought you knew about life and love. their warmth, their generosity, their naivete, their knowing...! you don't know how anything made sense before them. all you know is that nothing will make sense afterwards. deck: the tarot of the divine by yoshi yoshitani.

Imogen x Chris

the tower + the lovers

meeting this person shook your whole world. crumbling down is everything you thought you knew about life and love. their warmth, their generosity, their naivete, their knowing...! you don't know how anything made sense before them. all you know is that nothing will make sense afterwards. deck: the tarot of the divine by yoshi yoshitani.

Adrasteia x Bayek

the devil + the emperor

there's only one religion for the two of you, and that religion is the other. you two are very nearly unhealthily obsessed with one another, and that's just how you like it. when they touch you, they can feel the blood pumping under the surface of your skin. your hearts beat for one another. when the day comes that one stops, the other will soon after. until then, you both will live out your lives in perfect, gothy paradise. deck: the tarot of vampyres.

Alessandra and Ezio

ace of cups + ten of cups

your romance is the love story that seems only possible in movies. it starts from a youthful first meeting, innocent. and from what may seem like a lifetime later, you both end up happily in union, perhaps even married! your coupling is the epitome of emotional fulfillment and devotion. neither of you thought you'd end up here, but damn if you aren't glad you did. deck: thelema tarot.

Wren x John

the devil + the emperor

there's only one religion for the two of you, and that religion is the other. you two are very nearly unhealthily obsessed with one another, and that's just how you like it. when they touch you, they can feel the blood pumping under the surface of your skin. your hearts beat for one another. when the day comes that one stops, the other will soon after. until then, you both will live out your lives in perfect, gothy paradise. deck: the tarot of vampyres.

[156shadesofscarlet]

Description of the lecture by Alkistis:

The re-emergence of the figure of the Harlot of Revelation as the goddess Babalon in Aleister Crowley’s visions of the Enochian Aethyrs is arguably the first appearance of the heretical erotic divine feminine in the modern era. Crowley placed Her at the heart of his (sex) magick. Though radical in its time, his is a closed system and fundamentally misunderstands the sexual dynamic and human sexuality. In pursuing the ‘mystery of mysteries,’ that of Babalon, I have developed a personal magical and spiritual praxis rooted in the carnal body, independent of the solar-phallic doctrine of Thelema. In conjunction with my somatic practice, I’ve made extensive investigations into the Babylon of Revelation as the archetype and source of Crowley’s Babalon, tracing John’s Harlot to her origin in Inana-Ishtar and the corpus of poetic, mythic and stellar lore associated with her. I propose that this corpus can be understood as a prehistory of Babalon, that the stellar theophanies of the hierodule Inana-Ishtar are celestial bodies of the holy whore Babalon.

I speak about incorporating astral magic with the body-techniques that underlie my artistic and magical practice, deepening our felt connection to the heavens, our sensitivity to its rhythms. Such an approach, in its affective, creative and visionary potentials, can allow us to move beyond the impasse of an exhausted, unspirited culture and enflesh our visions of the future.

This lecture was one of the keynotes for the Astro Magia 23 conference.