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Diaryland
Re: Sub-lunar spirits August 17, 2008 @ 8:55 pm
--- In [email protected], "Jake Stratton-Kent"
wrote:
> Something I omitted initially is that an
> important aspect of the aerial clasification of spirits predates
> Christianity. The daimones of Classical times were intermediary
> between the celestial (fiery) region and the earth, and [were] thus
> seen as inhabiting the air. These were quite distinct entities from
> the 'evil' daimones, who were the lowest type. Although ancient
> classification went through various permutations (often different
> views existed simultaneously), this take was very influential both at
> the time and on later tradition.
Jake, thank you very much for this point - its very helpful and has helped me figure out
some more about the cosmology (or should I say, terralogy?). I was trying to
figure out the place of elemental fire within this schema, considering that fire manifests
under, on, and
above the earth. Granted, all the elements do this in the larger sense, but
usually they are
confined to the Kingdom sphere and physical plane in the medieval cosmology. The Janua
says the highest of the "fallen" spirits are those who are near enough to
contemplate the
divine fire, and I was a little confused on this point. But if the whole
celestial world is seen
as a reflection and embodiment of divine fire, then it makes more sense. There
are spirits
that burn with the infernal fires of lava and magma, and probably terrestrial
and aerial
spirits who control and/or start fires on the surface of the earth, but these
are
distinguished from the spirits of the "highest part of the air". I was trying to
figure out
what fire they were close enough to feel but couldn't touch, and now I think I
understand:
its the moon, the sun, and all the heavenly luminaries, wandering or fixed, who
must
produce their light by burning with divine "fire" :)
> ;-) perhaps its me, but I don't find re-examining the Fall essential,
> anymore than I do the doctrine of Original Sin.
The reason I think its important is because its connected to whatever created
the schism
between earth-based/chthonic/feminine and heaven-based/celestial/masculine
religion
and spirituality, which I something that I think (pardon the pun) we need to get
to the
bottom of, in order to be able to completely understand, integrate, and utilize
the two
traditions, and perhaps heal our own cultural divisions and wounds in the
process.
On another note, I've been reading Barbara Hand Clow's "Alchemy of Nine
Dimensions",
and its been illuminating, as it provides an outside perspective that,
nevertheless,
harmonizes well with our own growing understanding of these things. The
dimensional
model is similar to the 8-circuits model, and it also has something to offer
magicians.
Anyway, so far I've read the first two chapters on the first two dimensions, and
its been
informative. The first dimension in this case refers to the iron crystal core of
the Earth and
its connection and role in the absolute ground / negative pole of existence.
Clow
discussed this dimension as being intimately connected with blood and the earth
star and
root chakras in humans. The second dimension she outlined as the mantle and
subterranean realms, associated with the spleen. What was really interesting to
me was
that she said that ancient and medieval alchemists and magicians had an intimate
connection to this realm and its denizens, and that with their aid they were
able to carry
out transmutation and many other miraculous effects. Clow states, however, that
the
more elite among the medieval clergy not only deliberately carried out the
demonization
of the earth among the population, but manipulated both the earth spirits and
the blood-
symbolism of the mass for occult means of control over the masses and the land.
She
believes that blood has a very great power to influence people subconsciously,
although
she takes it to the extent of worrying about conspiratorial machinations behind
modern day blood banks. Anyways, I'm looking forward to reading her chapters on
the 3rd
and 4th dimensions when I get back from my trip.
Peace, love, fluffy bunnies,
David
"Details in the Fabric" - May 31, 2009
Not So Quick Questions - April 6, 2009
The Morning Stars - Lords of the 15 - April 9, 2009
Sincerity and Faith in Magic - April 10, 2009
Not So Quick Questions (2) - April 14, 2009
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