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Diaryland
The Arbatel and the Magic of Secrets July 7, 2008 @ 10:38 am
Since I don't update this diary nearly enough, and inquiring minds want to know, I'm gonna start sticking more and more of my webposts up here, for posterity and kicks and any illumination it might provide to others. I spend so much time on webgroups anyways that I might as well kill two birds with one stone :)
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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/solomonic
I've been studying the Isagogue of the Arbatel of Magic and marvelling at all the things I've been finding in there. It really is an amazing book, even if only one part has come down to us, and it has so much more in it than just the Olympic Spirits (although they are pretty awesome in their own right).
One of the sections has really piqued my interest, because it seems particularly valuable but has been overlooked, to my knowledge. Its the fourth septenary, and its topic is the nature of the secrets of the universe and their revelation through magic:
http://www.esotericarchives.com/solomon/arbatel.htm#sep4
The three levels of secrets as well as the magic of their angels and derivation is fascinating to me. The treatment is a very broad overview that doesn't always fill in the details, but with a little practice and experimentation you've got the basis for a very profound magical system.
Looking at the secrets has helped me to evaluate where I am at and look forward also to what is possible. I see that the knowledge of the lesser secrets is well known now throughout New Age and Occult literature. You can see the planetary/heptarchic division really clearly in this septenary - each of the lesser secrets seems strongly correlated to a corresponding planetary energy. I'm thinking there has to be this correlation within the others as well, as our author loves the 7-fold symbolism, but its not as clear which is which with the mean and greater secrets.
It is funny to realize that, in our groups and practices within the greater community of modern western magicians, we are just starting to really get familiar with the secrets that medieval magicians considered "mean": average and common! And looking at the greater secrets, we can see both the most noble and the most miraculous of things that magic has to offer. The Greater secrets seem to draw from the best of all the esoteric traditions, and within them, I find the highest goals and aspirations from the diverse practices of solomonica, abramelin, ascension spirituality, mysticism, healing, holistic health, and Enochiana. Amazing stuff to reach for - so exciting to know what's possible :)
The construction of the circle of secrets takes some study, but it appears to be a really ingenious way to combine 4-fold with 7-fold symbolism. I'm considering starting an investigation of it through an evocation of the Prince of the East. I'm wondering - is this Prince the same or equivalent to the Archangel of the East (Raphael?), and the Holy Creature of the East (not sure if this would be the man/aquarius or the eagle/aquila)?
Do you guys have anything to offer on this subject: any insights or experiences to share?
"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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